HOw to evaluate a news source

Instructions: Read “How to Evaluate a News Source” (page 200 in the Ginsberg et al. textbook). Next,

to learn more about the SIFT method.

Finally, follow the steps below to evaluate a news source using the SIFT method.

STEP 1: STOP BEFORE YOU READ

Select an article from a news source that you find on the internet. Explain the article that you have selected. Include the citation for your article here.

Note: Visit Seminole State Colleges Political Science Libguide for help citing your sources. Sources may be cited in either APA or MLA format.

5 points

STEP 2: INVESTIGATE THE SOURCE

Next, investigate the source of your selected article. When was this article written? Who were the authors? Investigate the news source that published your selected article. Is it a highly trusted source? Search for information about the creators of the news source you selected (e.g., website owner, publisher, and/or authors). Check the extension in the domain name for the article you selected. Unusual extensions or variations of reputable news sites, like “.com.co” instead of “.com”, can indicate fake or unreliable sources. Write about what you find.

5 points

STEP 3: FIND BETTER COVERAGE

Verify and cross-reference the information in your selected article with other reputable news sources. Look for evidence, data, and citations that support the article you selected. Are there articles that refute the information in your article? Explain what you find. Include citations for the cross-referenced articles here.

5 points

STEP 4: TRACE THE CLAIMS, QUOTES, AND MEDIA

Trace the origins of the claims that are made in your selected article. What is the original published source for the claims in your article? How did you find it? If you are unable to find the original source, explain steps taken to attempt to find it. If statistics or studies are cited in the article you selected, check to see if there are links to the original sources. Write about what you find. Finally, do you believe that the claim is accurate? Would you cite this claim in a research paper? Explain why/why now.

5 points