Digital Literacy

Research Skills

How we interpret information can affect how we think, how we vote and how we view others.  It can be difficult to distinguish between verifiable and false information.  Considering there is so much information available online, research skills are an important component of digital literacy. Research skills will not only assist students with their studies, it will help them to critically evaluate information so they can stop the spread of false information and remain properly educated about current events.  Below are some considerations that should help. 

1. Source the information

Rather than relying on popular search engines, consider other sources of information: 

2. Evaluate the Information

  1. What is the main purpose: To inform? To Sell? To Persuade? To Provoke? To Document? To Entertain?
  2. Who said it? Check the about us/contact us to find who the author is
  3. What’s the evidence? Does the author have the expertise? Have they shown where they got their information from?
  4. What are others saying? Press ctrl and T to open a new type and compare to at least 3 other sources.

3. Misinformation vs Disinformation

Misinformation is false information that is spread, regardless of whether there is intent to mislead 

Disinformation is deliberately misleading or biased information; manipulated narrative or facts; propaganda

4. If in doubt, do a fact check

Snopes: snopes.com/ 

PolitiFact: politifact.com 

Fact Check: factcheck.org/ 

BBC Reality Check: bbc.com/news/reality-check 

Channel 4 Fact Check: channel4.com/news/factcheck 

Journal.ie Fact Check: thejournal.ie/factchecknews/ 

5. Some useful websites

https://www.bemediasmart.ie/

https://ed.ted.com/on/cnKHnkuX

News Literacy Project

Webwise – Internet Safety