Be skeptical of any news that comes to you through social media, such as Facebook and Twitter, and web searches. Social media algorithms work to present the news that reinforces your current views, not a balanced view. To echo, not inform.

Independently verify the source (by performing a separate search) and independently verify the information (through more mainstream news sources or fact-checking sites).

Select news sources known for high-quality, investigative reporting. Search these sources directly. Don't settle for web search results or social media news feeds.

Employ the CRAAP test!

SIFT through your sources.

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Journals

Many of these publications are "peer reviewed".  This means that scholars in the same field review the research and findings before the article is published.  Articles in scholarly publications, generally:

• are written by and for faculty, researchers, or other experts in a field

• use scholarly or technical language

• include a full bibliography of sources cited in the article

Popular Sources

Popular sources are more likely to be things that you encounter every day, like magazines and newspapers, podcasts, etc. They are well researched, but not necessarily peer reviewed. They also may be:

• written by journalists or professional writers for a general audience

• written in a language that is easy to understand by the general public

• rarely have a bibliography

• don't generally assume prior knowledge of a subject area 

• may contain an argument, opinion, or analysis of an issue

Books and Book Chapters

Many academic books will be edited by an expert or group of experts. Unlike a scholarly article, which will usually focus on the results of one research project, a book is likely to include an overview of research or issues related to its topic.   The library has a large collection of physical and ebooks to assist with your research.