Information Integrity

The Internet has made it very easy for hoaxers to post erroneous information as though it were true. Sites like Wikipedia even have the illusion of authority and have run into problems when that authority has been called into question. Obviously, it’s important to know how to verify information online. Here are some easy tips that could save you from misrepresentations, hoaxes, and scams.

1. Check the information in a print source. Books have a more strenuous system of fact-checking before publication than most online sites, so if you’re using an unfamiliar site, try to match the information in a hard copy. If you see a continuous degree of matching, there’s a good chance it’s a reputable site.
2. Contact the author with questions. If you do find an error, send a quick e-mail alerting the author and see how they respond. Sometimes people make mistakes, and the advantage of the Internet is that these can be corrected rapidly. And if there’s no contact information? Try finding another site.
3. Look for sites that have been used in reliable bibliographies. Non-fiction books will often list web sources in their end notes. Their inclusion usually means that these sites have been previously fact-checked, and are reliable enough to use in the future.
4. Use fact-checking websites. Many Internet users have already taken action to help make the internet more reliable, especially when it comes to political information or scams. Some good political sites are FactCheck.org, OpenSecrets.org, and Politifact.com. The last is especially interesting, as they are currently tracking more than 500 of Obama’s campaign promises on their Obameter.
5. Don’t fall for obvious hoaxes. As the old adage goes, “if it sounds too good to be true” If you’re ever unsure about something, verify it at a respected source. You’re either be pleasantly surprised, or avoid a lot of headaches.