Information Integrity

Urban legends have fascinated (and sometimes terrified us) for generations. When these legends are mistaken for truth, however, information integrity can be severely compromised. Snopes.com is one of the best-known fact-checkers on the interneta go-to resource for any type of overheard factoid, from old wives’ tales to hoaxes, celebrity gossip, and common mis-beliefs.The articles on the site are almost entirely written by Barbara and David Mikkelson. This devoted husband-and-wife duo has made a career out of correcting circulating rumors. They go through a variety of research and physical fact-checking to prove their point, such as tracking down President dollar coins to prove that they still say “In God We Trust.” Other recent rumors that the Mikkelsons have recently debunked include an upcoming cell-phone directory that will be available to telemarketers, and the rumor that Mars will be closer to Earth this August than at any time during our lifetimes. (more…)

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. (more…)