Evaluating Online Searches Study Notes

EVALUATING ONLINE SEARCHES

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

• At the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

  1. Understand the criteria for evaluating the credibility and reliability of online sources.

  2. Recognize signs of bias and misinformation in online content.

  3. Learn various techniques for fact-checking and source verification.

  4. Effectively evaluate online sources and ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information gathered.

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING CREDIBILITY AND RELIABILITY

TOPIC OUTLINE

• What Criteria Should Be Used to Evaluate the Credibility & Reliability of a Source?

• CRAAP TEST

• Importance of evaluating information

• Evaluating information helps to recognize and dismiss unreliable information.

Criteria for Evaluating the Credibility & Reliability of a Source

1. Source Authority

   • Expertise: The depth of knowledge an author possesses in a particular field.

   • Reputation: The standing or respect the source holds within the academic and professional community.

   • Affiliation: The organization or institution the source is associated with, which can influence credibility.

2. Information Reliability

   • Fact-Checking: Verification of facts presented against established standards or sources.

   • Consistency: Consistent information across multiple credible sources strengthens reliability.

   • Objectivity: Fair and impartial presentation of facts without bias.

3. Currency and Relevance

   • Date: The timeliness of the information; older sources may be outdated.

   • Relevance: The significance of the information in relation to the topic being researched.

CRAAP TEST

• The CRAAP test is an acronym representing each criterion in the evaluation process of a source.

  • C - Currency

  • R - Relevance

  • A - Authority

  • A - Accuracy

  • P - Purpose

Importance of Evaluating Information

• Evaluating information ensures:

  1. Discovery of the most relevant information for your topic.

  2. Enhancement of the quality and reliability of research.

  3. Access to expert views, opinions, and peer-reviewed research.

  4. Ability to identify and eliminate biased, unreliable, and incorrect information.

Recognizing and Dismissing Unreliable Information

• Evaluating information helps to identify and avoid content that is:

  • Unreliable

  • Biased

  • Unfair

  • Out of date

  • Incorrect

  • False

  • Fake

RECOGNIZING BIAS AND MISINFORMATION

TOPIC OUTLINE

I. Understanding Bias
A. Defining Bias
B. Identifying Bias in Sources
1. Source Credibility
2. Recognizing Bias in Content
C. Types of Bias
II. Recognizing Misinformation
A. Defining Misinformation and Disinformation
B. Types of Misinformation and Disinformation
C. The Rise of AI and Synthetic Media
D. Identifying Misinformation in Online Sources

Understanding Bias

• Bias in online searches can lead search engines to not display the most relevant results.

• Identifying Bias in Sources:

  1. Source Credibility:

  • Domain Authority: Check the domain name (e.g., .edu, .gov) for reliability.

  • Author Expertise: Investigate the qualifications and experience of the author.

  • Fact-Checking: Verify the information across multiple reputable sources.

  1. Identifying Bias:

  • Language and Tone: Analyze the neutrality or emotional charge of the language used.

  • Presentation of Facts: Assess how facts are presented and the inclusion or exclusion of information.

  • Funding and Affiliations: Consider any financial ties that may affect the presentation of information.

Types of Bias

• Algorithmic bias: Bias produced by the algorithms that dictate results in search engines.

• Media bias: Leaning in news reporting toward particular viewpoints or ideologies.

MISINFORMATION

Definitions

• Misinformation: False or inaccurate information that may not necessarily be created with malicious intent.

• Disinformation: Deliberate spread of false information, often maliciously crafted to spread fear and suspicion.

Types of Misinformation and Disinformation

1. Fabricated Content

2. Manipulated Content

3. Imposter Content

4. Misleading Content

5. Satire and Parody

6. False Connections

7. Sponsored Content

8. Propaganda

9. Error

THE RISE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)

• AI has led to the development of new forms of misinformation and disinformation, notably through Synthetic Media, which refers to computer-generated or manipulated content that blurs the line between reality and fabrication.

IDENTIFYING MISINFORMATION IN ONLINE SOURCES

• Techniques for identifying misinformation include:

  • Checking the Source: Verify the legitimacy of the publisher or author.

  • Fact-Checking: Utilize dedicated fact-checking organizations.

  • Cross-Referencing Information: Confirm facts by comparing them with other reliable sources.

  • Evaluating Evidence: Look for supporting data and credible references.

FACT-CHECKING AND SOURCE VERIFICATION

TOPIC OUTLINE

• Definition of Fact-checking and Verifying Sources

• Types of Fact-checking and Verifying Sources

• Steps and Tools to Verify Source

FACT-CHECKING

• Fact-Checking: The process of verifying the factual accuracy of claims made in reporting and statements.

• It is crucial for ensuring the information published is accurate and reliable.

Types of Fact-Checking

1. Internal Fact-Checking: Conducted in-house by the publication to prevent the publication of incorrect content.

2. External Fact-Checking: Performed by independent third parties who assess the veracity of claims made.

Steps for Verifying Sources: The Five W's

1. Who wrote this?

2. What is the purpose of the resource?

3. When was the resource published?

4. Where is the information from?

5. Why is the resource reliable?

Source Verification

• The process of confirming the credibility and reliability of information sources before including them in research or reporting.

Types of Source Verification

1. Source Credibility Verification:

   • Authoritative Source Verification

   • Institutional Source Verification

   • Bias Detection

2. Content Verification:

   • Fact-Checking

   • Data Verification

   • Citation Verification

3. Contextual Verification:

   • Purpose and Audience

   • Date and Timeliness

   • Tone and Style Verification

4. Cross-Verification:

   • Comparing multiple sources

   • Independent verification of claims

Steps to Verify a Source

1. Identify the Source:

   • Author

   • Publisher

   • Date

2. Assess the Source's Credibility:

   • Reputation

   • Objectivity

   • Transparency

3. Check for Supporting Evidence:

   • Citations

   • Data

   • Fact-Checking

4. Consider the Context:

   • Purpose

   • Target Audience

   • Overall Tone

Tools for Source Verification

• Fact-Checking Websites: Snopes, PolitiFact, FactCheck.org

• Library Databases: JSTOR, Google Scholar

• Reputable News Organizations: The Associated Press, Reuters, BBC News

• Government Websites: Official .gov websites and government publications

REFERENCES

• Various links to resources have been provided for further reading and fact-checking guidance. Presentations included citations from organizations and educational resources for evaluating fake news and assessing credibility in online sources.