Introduction to Information Literacy

You comparison-shop for anything else you want, why not information?

One of the best ways to assess the sources you've found is to try lateral reading. If you've ever browsed the internet with too many tabs open, you may already have the hang of it!

Lateral information saves you time because you are checking what you read as you go. In other words: you pull up several sources on the same topic at the same time and see what they all have in common.  Check out the video below and see if this feels familiar to what you already do!

And just in case you would like to see it play out in real time, here is a screen recording of a search demonstrating lateral reading.

Remember, this all depends upon using what you've already learned through the "CRAAP Test." 

As you examine new sources, ask yourself questions about them:

• How recent is this, has it been updated or changed since it was published? 
   
• Is it relevant to what I'm looking for, or is not quite right? Is it too short? Too long? Too complicated? Too simple?
   
• Who wrote, produced, or published this information and how does that impact the content? Are they qualified to create this content, and if so how do I know that? Where is the proof?
   
• Is this accurate? Can I find other sources that are trustworthy and saying the same thing? Is it easy to find information that opposes it? If so, what makes the opposing source credible?
   
• What is the purpose of this source? Are they trying to entertain us? Tell us a story? Give us "just the facts"? Start a fight? What kinds of words, visuals, or tone do they use in their writing or delivery that shows us their intention?