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MHS Library | Fact checking

Critical literacy

Play FakeOut
Your social media feed has been infected by false information. Your job is to learn the skills of verification, so you can sort fact from fiction — in the game, and in real life.

Introducing SIFT

Image source

Definitions

The following definitions will help in assessing viewpoint.  

Bias: Prejudice or preconceived notion that causes a person to favor one person or side of the debate over another. In other words, a bending of facts, cherry-picking of facts, or a complete fabrication of information in order to fit a preconceived narrative.  

Confirmation bias: When conducting research, this is your natural inclination to give more weight to information and arguments that agree with your own original opinions and/or beliefs.

Moderate: Holding views that are neither excessive nor extreme.

Neutral: Not aligned with any side in a controversy, or with a particular political or ideological group.

Objective: Without bias. An objective position aims to be based on fact, rather than on personal feelings or prejudices.

Subjective: With bias or preconceived views. A subjective opinion is more affected by personal viewpoint or experiences than by fact.

Source: “Exploring Point of View .” World News Digest. Infobase Learning, n.d. Web. 10 Feb. 2017. <http://wnd.infobaselearning.com/recordurl.aspx?wid=101092&nid=485001&umbtype=0>.

Reliability of online sources

Skill: Check a claim

Check, please! Starter course

 

Recommended fact-checking sites 

Check the source of an image

Fact checking specialty and international sites

Respected specialty sites cover niche areas such as climate or celebrities. Here are a few examples:

There are many fact-checking sites in different countries. Here is a small sample:

Subject guide created by

Guide created by Tania Sheko. Contact me tania.sheko@mhs.vic.edu.au

 

What is lateral reading and how will it help me evaluate a website?

Confirmation bias

history of an image