Evaluating Information

Use SIFT to apply lateral reading skills for evaluating information.

What is lateral reading?

When evaluating an information source, it means learning about a source from other sources. Reading laterally involves doing research about the information you have found.

(I) Investigating the source

Search bias ratings for the website you are evaluating.

Note: Ratings are mostly for large-sized news websites and so it is very possible your website may not be found.

  • Search for the name of the media source in the top-right corner.
  • What information is provided about the source?
  • If the media source is listed, click on the hyperlink to read more.
  • Hint: Use CTRL+F and search for the name of the media source.

Search Wikipedia and Google for the website you are evaluating.

  • Search for the website name or domain.
  • If there is an article about the website, see what it has to say!

Example:

  • I searched Wikipedia for ThoughtCo and found this result, learning that it is part of the Dotdash media company formerly known as About.com (a site I have known about in the past)!

Search Google with the website name filling in the blank to see what you can learn about the website and how it is regarded.

  • __________ shareholders
  • __________ target audience
  • __________ demographics
  • __________ distribution
  • __________ circulation
  • __________ revenue
  • __________ credibility
  • __________ controversy
  • __________ reputation