It's hard to let go of our biases when evaluating online resources. However, Fake News can often be used to keep those biases in check. The first step is learning to look deeper using the tools presented in this research guide. You don't have to agree with everything you read, but sometimes, making the best case you can for a perspective or argument that conflicts with your beliefs and perceptions will help you make your arguments better.
Chainsawsuit comic by Kris Straub, from Sept. 16, 2014
Attribution: Oklahoma State University Libraries Inform Your Thinking Series
Fake news is content generated by non-news organizations to drive eyeballs to ads or to spread information that is neither sourced nor supported by facts. Fake news is not news that does not align with your political views.
Examples of fake news sources aggregated by CBS (link)
1. Fake news destroys your credibility. If your research uses made-up or false information, you may fail a course or have your research rejected. People may not believe you in future conversations if your arguments are built on bad information.
2. Fake news can hurt you and a lot of other people. Purveyors of fake and misleading medical advice can perpetuate myths. These websites or blogs spread dangerous lies
3. Real news can benefit you. If you want to buy stock in a company, you want to read accurate articles about that company so you can invest wisely. If you plan on voting in an election, you want to read valid and factual information on a candidate to vote for the person who best represents your ideas and beliefs.
4. You deserve the truth. You are smart enough to decide - as long as you have the facts in front of you. You can learn to evaluate online resources to find the facts critically.
Bias: Sources that come from a particular point of view and may rely on propaganda, decontextualized information, and opinions distorted as facts.
Clickbait: Outrageous headlines and stories designed to get readers to click open links to a particular webpage, also called a strategically placed hyperlink. Often uses exaggeration, questionable headlines, misleading social media descriptions, or fictitious images.
Confirmation Bias: When researchers or students seek out information that only confirms their existing beliefs.
Hoax News: Sources that intentionally fabricate information, disseminate deceptive content, or distort actual news reports.
Parody/Satire: Sources that use humor, irony, exaggeration, ridicule, and false information to comment on current events. While they often use false headlines, they are created to poke fun at current events or people, not to convince readers that the information is accurate.
Rumor Mill: Sources that focus on rumors, gossip, innuendo, and unverified claims.
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