Research Help: Lateral Reading

Lateral Reading is a process of evaluating online resources where you fact-check your source using third-party information. It is a method used by professional fact-checkers. 

When you encounter an unfamiliar website, ask yourself these three questions:

1. Who is behind the information? Who funds or sponsors the site?
2. What is their evidence for their claims? Check their sources.
3. What do other sources say about the evidence, claims, the organization or the people behind the organization?

Now open a new tab in your browser and seach for the author(s), or their claims. What are trustworthy sources saying about this website? Are their claims legitamite or based on conspiracy? 

If a source seems untrustworthy, don't use it. Find a better source. Most importantly, if the source is on social media, don't spread false information by sharing. 

The Stanford History Education Group explains lateral reading (3:47 minutes)