Research Guides: Middle College: Websites

Finding Credible Web Sources

Google Advanced Search
You can use Google Advanced Search to find credible internet sources by limiting search results.
- Choose a domain, like .edu, .gov, or .org, to filter out .com information.
- Explore limiting file type to .pdf to find documents that may have been professionally edited.

SIFT & PICK Fact Checking & Source Evaluation
A printable version of the SIFT & PICK approach to evaluating sources using lateral reading (SIFT) to fact check a source and vertical reading (PICK) to decide whether it is the best source for your needs.

Finding Credible Web Sources
Our Finding Credible Web Sources guide has more tips on searching the Internet.

Recommended Websites

FactCheck.org
A nonpartisan, nonprofit “consumer advocate” for voters that aims to reduce the level of deception and confusion in U.S. politics.
PolitiFact
A non-partisan fact-checking website that researches specific statements made by United States politicians and rates them for accuracy.
ProCon.org
Provides nonpartisan, professionally-researched pro, con, and related information on more than 50 controversial issues from gun control and death penalty to illegal immigration and alternative energy.
SourceWatch
Providse well-documented information about corporate public relations (PR) campaigns, including corporate front groups, people who "front" corporate campaigns, and PR operations.
USA.gov
The official website of the United States Government

Evaluating Sources

The following video describes how to evaluate sources using five criteria: authority, accuracy, currency, relevance, and objectivity (from off campus you will need to log in using your Pipeline username and password):