Informed Voting

• What is misinformation and fake news?
• How does misinformation spread?
• Where can I find fact-checking tools?
• How do I evaluate sources of information?

For more in depth information on fake news and misinformation, please check out the library's Mis and Dis and Fake Information Guide. That guide will give you clear definitions, fact checking resources beyond just political fact checking resources, and a history of how misinformation spreads.

The videos below will give you a quick introduction into misinformation and fake news.

Below you'll find a list of several fact checking websites that specialize in fake news and misinformation on social media as well as politically focused fact checkers. While these are doing an initial fact check for you, it's still encouraged that you fact check the fact checker and do your own research on the topic. These resources are meant to be a starting point for critically questioning information, not a stopping point.

• Snopes - "When misinformation obscures the truth and readers don’t know what to trust, Snopes.com’s fact checking and original, investigative reporting lights the way to evidence-based and contextualized analysis. We always document our sources so readers are empowered to do independent research and make up their own minds."
• Politifact - "Fact-checking journalism is the heart of PolitiFact. Our core principles are independence, transparency, fairness, thorough reporting and clear writing. The reason we publish is to give citizens the information they need to govern themselves in a democracy."
• Factcheck.org - "We are a nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics. We monitor the factual accuracy of what is said by major U.S. political players in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases. Our goal is to apply the best practices of both journalism and scholarship, and to increase public knowledge and understanding."
• Media Bias/Fact Check - "We are the most comprehensive media bias resource on the internet. There are currently 3200+ media sources listed in our database and growing every day. Don’t be fooled by Fake News sources."
• Truth or Fiction - "TruthOrFiction.com is a non-partisan website where Internet users can quickly and easily get information about eRumors, fake news, disinformation, warnings, offers, requests for help, myths, hoaxes, virus warnings, and humorous or inspirational stories that are circulated by email."

TRAAP is a simple acronym that can be used as a tool for evaluating information and determining if you're heading toward a research trap. Each letter in TRAAP represents a criteria by which to measure the reliability and appropriateness of sources.

Timeliness: The currency of the information 

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has it been updated?
• Do you need the most current, up-to-date information on your topic?

Relevance: The information meets your assignment needs 

• Does the source meet your assignment requirements?
• Does the information directly relate to your topic?
• Does it help you answer questions?
• Have you looked at other sources to find the best one?

Authority: The source of the information 

• Who is the author or publisher?
• Are they qualified to write about this area?

​Accuracy: The reliability and correctness of the information 

• Is the information supported by citations or other evidence?
• Can you verify the information with another source?

​Purpose: The reason the information exists

• What is the purpose of the information? To inform, sell, persuade, or entertain?
• Is the information given a fact or an opinion?
• Is the author or publisher biased or unbiased?