Removes barriers to publishing that are present in traditional pathways
Can provide real-time updates as events unfold
Can be published by anyone and it can sometimes be hard to find out who the author/publisher actually is.
Sites can be a hoax or parody without it being obvious that's what's happening.
Because there are fewer or no barriers to publication, there is more responsibility for evaluation of the information on the user
Lateral Reading & the SIFT Method
When evaluating information in an online environment it can be helpful to "read laterally" to evaluate the information you encounter. This means, looking at our sources to determine the validity of the source you're reading. One approach to lateral reading is the SIFT Method: Stop, Investigate, Find, and Trace. Let's take a look at each of these steps.
Stop
Pause and look at the source you've found. What are you trying to get from this source? What claims are being made? Does anything jump out as something you want to verify or investigate further? How does the information in this source fit with the other information you've found on your topic?
Investigate
What can you find about the author or site where your source is found by googling them? Who is funding the site your source appears on? Have there been follow up sources that give corrections, clarifications, or more information? Where does the site you're using fall on the political spectrum? What's their editorial policy?
Find
Read coverage of this topic from other sources and see how they compare. Do they have different information or do they agree with your original source? Would the other sources be more appropriate for your needs?
Trace
Try to track content in your source to its original context. Find original studies or interviews if they're mentioned in your source and see if you agree with your source's interpretation.
Want to learn more about lateral reading? Watch the video below and/or ask a librarian for help!
