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SWIFT Source Evaluation: Home

Source Evaluation

5 moves to evaluate your information source.

It may not be necessary to go through all the moves. For most school research, you'll probably only need the first 2-3. Evaluate until you get a  .

Before Searching, Ask

  • What do you already know about this information?
  • What would be the ideal source for your information need?
Are you accessing a trusted source of information, like a library database or a website recommendation from a teacher? Use it, it's credible!

When Searching the Web

  • Use click restraint - don’t auto-click the first results or even the first page of results
  • What do you know about the source sharing the information?
  • Are you reacting in an emotional way to the information?

Read Laterally

  • Open a new tab & search for the source
  • Find & skim the Wikipedia page
  • Look for information about their credentials, who sponsors them, or their political leanings
 Does it indicate that they are an expert in their field? Is it a nonpartisan and non-profit organization? Use it, it's credible!

 

Does it indicates that they are a conspiracy theorist, a fraud, or extreme in their views? Don’t use it!

 

Not sure? No Wikipedia page exists? Go to "Investigate the source" or pick a different source.

Read Laterally

  • Open a new tab & search for the source
  • Scroll until you find a website not published or curated by the source
  • Use a site like AllSides.com/media-bias to check the site’s bias
 Are you finding information to indicate that the source is an expert in their field? Is it a nonpartisan and non-profit organization? Use it, it's probably credible!

 

Do your findings indicate the source is a conspiracy theorist, a fraud, or extreme in their views? Do they represent a for-profit entity that may gain by spreading this information? Can you not find much information on them at all? Don’t use it!

Find Additional Coverage

If your source’s claim is new, controversial, surprising, or unusual, then check it with another site.

  • Read laterally - open a new tab & search for additional sources that confirm the information
  • Run the information through a fact-checking site like:
Are you finding the same information on other reputable sites? Does an independent fact-checking site verify it? Use it, it's probably credible!

 

Are you not finding the same information anywhere else? Or only on sites that are questionable? Don’t use it!

Where Did This Come From?

If your source includes others’ information, images, quotes, research, etc., track them back to the original to judge if they are accurate, manipulated, or taken out of context.

  • Reputable sources give credit to others’ ideas, images, etc.
  • Use S-W-I to verify any “credits,” links, or lists of sources
  • Use Google Scholar to check on academic research
  • Use reverse image searching to trace the origins of pictures
Is there a credit or link back to the original source? Does it check out? Use it!

 

Is it confusing or unclear where the original information came from? Don’t use it!