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Public Administration Subject Guide

Library resources for Public Administration graduate students

The Seven Standards of Quality Journalism

The News Literacy Project identifies key characteristics of quality journalism. Learn what each entails at the link below.

  • Multiple Credible Sources
  • Avoidance of Bias
  • Documentation
  • Fairness
  • Verification
  • Balance
  • Context

Fact Checking

Fact Checking

The websites linked below fact-check information that appears in news articles and websites.

Starting with a known source is a good way to find quality information.

This might be a trusted news organization's website or a library database.

Accessing Trusted News Sources

Many trusted news sources are behind paywalls. You can access that content through library databases. 

Learn how to find trusted news in library databases. 


A Few Trusted News Sources on the Web

Regardless of how you find a resource, it's a good idea to take a closer look before using it as a source.

The CRAAP test below is a great tool to help you evaluate a source. Trusted sources have higher authority. You can also employ lateral reading skills and look at fact-checking sources.

Evaluate Your Source with the CRAAP Test

The CRAAP test guides us through some questions to ask about a source to determine its quality.

Currency

- When was this published? Has it been updated?
- Is the information still accurate now or is it out-of-date or incomplete?

Relevance

- Will this source help you understand your topic or complete your assignment?
- Does this source meet your assignment's criteria? 

Authority

- Who published this? Is this a source others trust? ​
- Who wrote this? What are their credentials?

Accuracy

Is there evidence for claims made–maybe citations?
- Can you verify the information in other places?
- Do we know or believe this information was reviewed before publication--whether by fact-checkers or through a peer-review process?

Purpose

- Is this source trying to sell something? Is it intended to entertain?
- Are these opinions, based on one perspective, or facts?
- Does this source seem biased?

Tip: You can answer these questions using information from the source and the rest of the web. Don't recognize a publication or website? Google it to see what others are saying!

Lateral Reading

Lateral Reading

Learn more about a source to determine its credibility. 

  • Open new tabs and search for information about the website you're reading from Wikipedia or credible news sources.
  • Look for information about the mission, funding, and potential biases.
  • Go beyond the news story and look for the original resource or other scholarly information using Library resources.