Skip to Main Content

Decoding News Sources: Credible, Fake, or Click-Bait?: Can I Trust This Source? (KC)

This guide will explain how you can protect yourself from falling for fake news by walking you through the differences between credible news sources and those with strong biases and/or tendencies to use incorrect data.

CRAAP Test: Determining Quality of Information

Depending on your information need, use the following criteria to determine if a source is providing good information. 

Currency: The timeliness of the information.

  • When was the information published or posted?
  • Has the information been revised or updated?
  • Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?
  • Are the links functional?

Relevance: The importance of the information for your needs. 

  • Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
  • Who is the intended audience?
  • Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
  • Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
  • Would you be comfortable citing this source in your research paper? 

Authority: The source of the information.

  • Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
  • What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
  • Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
  • Is there contact information, such as a publisher or email address?
  • Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? examples: .com .edu .gov .org .net 

Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness and correctness of the content. 

  • Where does the information come from?
  • Is the information supported by evidence?
  • Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
  • Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
  • Does the language or tone seem unbiased and free of emotion?
  • Are there spelling, grammar or typographical errors? 

Purpose: The reason the information exists.

  • What is the purpose of the information? Is it to inform, teach, sell, entertain or persuade?
  • Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
  • Is the information fact, opinion or propaganda?
  • Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
  • Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional or personal biases? 

Developed by Meriam Library, California State University, Chico.

For more help, check out HCTC Library's Evaluating Sources Guide .

Peer Review v. Popular Sources

Characteristics of a Scholarly Source:

  • Peer-Reviewed, articles have been approved by professionals within the same field
  • Author of source generally has a degree on topic/subject they are writing
  • Intended for audience with basic understanding of topic/subject
  • Sources are cited
  • Text/Graphic Dense

Example of a Scholarly Source:

Advances in Wound Care: The Journal for Prevention and Healing

  • Available through online database
  • Indicates it is peer-reviewed
  • An online search of an author's name reveals he has a medical degree (related to subject of journal)
  • Few ads, ads present are related to the subject or professional field associations

Characteristics of a Popular Source:

  • Prioritizes profit-prolific advertising
  • Intended for general audience who may not have basic understanding of topic/subject
  • Does not cite sources as a rule
  • Author may not be considered authoritative or credible on topic/subject
  • Picture dense

Example of a Popular Source:

National Geographic

  • Many ads by popular mainstream companies selling products like cameras, alcohol, and insurance
  • Mix of authoritative authors and authors with little subject authority
  • No indication of peer-review
  • Many pictures with short articles
  • Few to no cited sources

 

KNOWLEDGE CHECK

Scholarly Articles About Finding Credible Sources

  1. Gough, J. (2008). The critical evaluation of bibliographic web sources. College Quarterly, 11(1), 1-6. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ813773&site=ehost-live
  2. Sundin, O., & Francke, H. (2009). In search of credibility: Pupils' information practices in learning environments. Information Research: An International Electronic Journal, 14(4). Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ813773&site=ehost-live
  3. Burbules, N. C. (2001). Paradoxes of the web: The ethical dimensions of credibility. Library Trends, 49(3), 441-53. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=eric&AN=EJ626797&site=ehost-live

For More Information