How to Verify Information and Sources Online
With the fast paced growth of the internet and communication technologies, information is coming in ever faster and this may seldom be verified before getting published. Between the millions of data circulating, it is sometimes difficult to specify what is true and what is false. How can we tell the difference? Faced with social networks, how do we keep up?
The reliability of the Internet is often questioned for many reasons. One of them is the fact that anyone can publish a personal opinion on any subject. However, it can be argued that there are various reliable sources of information on the internet. It is important not to label a source of information as false because it does not adopt a similar point of view to others. The most important thing is to learn to discern which sources are relevant and which are not.
Here are some tips to help you find reliable sources of information on the internet.
- Don’t trust your first source of information
It is true that the web is a real reservoir of information. But it is worth noting that no matter where you find information, it is always wise to check it against other sources. You can do this by doing additional research online or by checking some printed publications (newspaper, magazine, library books…). So, if you find the same information on several other legitimate websites as well as in a print publication, it increases the chances that the information is accurate.
- Check the domain name of the website
Look closely at the three letters at the end of the website’s domain name. For example, you will see “.edu” (educational), “.gov” (government), “com” (commercial) or “.org” (non-profit). In general, websites ending in “.edu” and “.gov” are credible. But be careful to avoid sites that use them in an attempt to deceive users. Non-profit websites (.org) can also contain reliable information. However, take your time to examine their content and cross-check with other sites. Commercial websites, such as those of reputable news organisations or blogs, can also be good sources of information. But preferably do some cross-referencing, because they may not be neutral.
- Check the date of the information
Another practical tip is to look at the date of publication, as well as the dates attached to the studies and sources in an article. For example, if an article cites a study that was conducted 10 years ago, this calls into question the reliability of the information. This is particularly the case if there are more recent studies available on the subject.
Another good indicator is the fact that the information in the article is not reliable. This is particularly the case if there are more recent studies available on the subject.
Another good indication that an online article is unreliable is the presence of broken links in its content, or broken links that redirect to an error page. Many website articles include links that visitors can click on for more information. If these links lead nowhere, chances are the article is old. In addition, a quality website will have a webmaster who takes the time to keep the links and content up to date.
- Classification of sources
Magazine articles, content and newspaper articles from well-established newspapers: these are written for the general public by authors or journalists who have based their work on reliable sources and are controlled by an editor.
-Articles by authors or journalists who are on the staff of a respected
news agency or who are recognised as experts in the field.
-Trade or professional articles or books: these are written by specialists in their field to convey practice-oriented information.
-Peer-reviewed scientific articles or studies: these are written by researchers for students and other researchers.
-Before you rely on the information provided by a site, it is important to consider a few things. Firstly, it is advisable to check the ‘About’ page of the site where you find the information. This will give you an idea of the type of site you are getting information from.
Generally speaking, information can take different forms. For example, there is oral information, written information, visual information, audiovisual information, quantitative information and qualitative information. Information should be a decision-making tool. For this reason, it must be reliable, relevant, not redundant, but also accessible.
In addition to websites, social networks are also platforms where information is more viral. Before sharing them or making decisions about them, it is advisable to check whether the information is true or false. To do this, there are several steps to follow. For example, you need to identify the author of the publication. If it is a well-known media or public figure, you can be sure that the information is true. Be aware, however, that fake profiles can impersonate them. If the author is an unknown person or if the information comes from an unknown site, remember to check whether it is news or not. On social networks, it is also recommended to check the date of the information. Indeed, sometimes information “goes up” when it is widely shared.
Edited by : Irene David-Arinze
