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Recognize Red Flags

 

How to Recognize Red Flags

philosopher sitting on a column being pecked by a woodpeckerTrue or False: Most searchers act like all information online can be trusted.

True.

Not knowing how to recognize misinformation can be a serious problem.

As you are probably aware, not all information can be trusted. To ignore that will eventually lead to terrible consequences.

Bad information has a way of sneaking up on unsuspecting searchers.

 

What is a Red Flag?red flag

An information red flag is a warning about possible problems.

Information that should not be trusted almost always comes with red flags that may be discovered with investigation.

Red Flags tend to occur most in the following areas:

Authority

When an author or publisher lacks appropriate education or experience to write authoritatively about a subject, that is a red flag. If information about education or experience is missing, you guessed it, that is also a red flag. This does not mean the author is unqualified, but if background information is missing, that is a warning and it means you have to look for that information.

Authority red flags may also be discovered by investigating sites that link to the author's site.

Accuracy

If an author makes claims or states facts that cannot be verified, that is a red flag. Fact checking is the easiest investigative skill to use, yet few searchers use it.

Bias

If an author makes biased statements, that is a red flag. The author's point of view may be so extreme you can't use it.

Freshness

A page or article that has an old date, or no date at all, is a red flag. If you have a need for current information don't settle for old news.

philosopher and red dragonWhat to do with Red Flags

Check several things - don't rely on one flag unless the misinformation is extreme. Investigate an author's credentials, fact check claims in the author's writing, see who links to the author's page. Put your findings together and see if any (or many) red flags are evident.

Discovering several red flags for an author or an article is often an indicator that the information should not be used.

Trust your instincts, but rely on evidence as well.

For more help identifying Red Flags, use these links:

  1. Discover authority background information by browsing or querying.
  2. Use the link: command to reveal external sites that call into question an author's work or reputation.
  3. Discover inaccuracies by fact checking.
  4. Reading and think about the words an author uses and the author's tone using bias detection.
  5. Investigate freshness by finding the date of publication.