While we don't always have time to deeply evaluate every piece of information we come across, before re-sharing or citing a work it is important to evaluate that resource to avoid spreading mis/disinformation and to contextualize the information. Here are some strategies to help you!
Lateral Reading
The ACT UP Method
A - author
- Who wrote the resource? Who are they? Background information matters.
C - currency
- When was this resource written? When was it published? Does this resource fit into the currency of your topic?
T - truth
- How accurate is this information? Can you verify any of the claims in other sources? Are there typos and spelling mistakes?
U - unbiased
- Is the information presented to sway the audience to a particular point of view? Resources unless otherwise stated should be impartial.
P - privilege
- Check the privilege of the author(s). Are they the only folks who might write or publish on this topic? Who is missing in this conversation? Critically evaluate the subject terms associated with each resource you found. How are they described? What are the inherent biases?
Created by Dawn Stahura, Research and Instruction Librarian, Zine Librarian at Simmons College
