Check your emotions!
Build a fact-checking habit by checking your emotions
When you experience strong emotions such as happiness, anger, pride, or vindication and feel inclined to share information with others, it's important to take a step back and fact-check the information before sharing it. This is because when we feel strongly about something, we are more likely to overlook the need for verification and to spread information quickly, even if it may not be accurate.
Research has shown that content that evokes strong emotions is more likely to be shared quickly on social networks. To avoid being taken advantage of by those who use this tendency to spread false information, use your emotions as a reminder to fact-check.
Every time you come across content that evokes a strong emotional response, take a moment to verify its accuracy before sharing it. This habit can protect you from spreading misinformation.
When verifying the accuracy of a statement, the easiest approach is to check if someone else has already done the work for you.
It's important to note that this does not mean their findings should be accepted without question, as their assessment may differ from your own. Nevertheless, reputable fact-checking sources or subject wikis can provide valuable information, such as the origin of claims and links to credible sources that provide counter-claims.
This information can save time and effort, and can be a valuable starting point for your own fact-checking, regardless of whether or not you agree with the findings.
SIFT: Sorting truth from fiction
STOP!
Ask yourself whether you know and trust the website or source of the information. Don't read it or share it until you know what it is.
SIFT: Investigate the source
Investigate the source
Taking sixty seconds to figure out where it is from before reading will help you decide if it is worth your time, and if it is, help you to better understand its significance and trustworthiness.
SIFT: Find trusted coverage
Adapted from Check, Please! Starter Course by Michael Caulfield.
Find trusted coverage
Look for other trusted reporting or analysis on the claim. Find the best source you can that covers this or scan multiple sources to see what the consensus seems to be.
For more visit: https://www.notion.so/Introducing-SIFT-04db7879dd7a4efaa76bfb2397d11ffd
SIFT: Trace it back
Trace it back
Trace the claim, quote, or media back to the source, so you can see it in its original context and get a sense if the version you saw was accurately presented.
References
Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers by Michael A. Caulfield.
Introducing SIFT by Michael Caulfield.