When checking facts online, ask people making claims for evidence of those claims, research different fact-checking websites, learn how to use Google's search operators, searching the Deep Web and use sites such as Amazon.com to find individuals to interview. Every aspect of fact checking focuses on finding specific evidence for specific claims.Continue Reading
If possible, contact any individuals whose claims you have read online and ask them to provide evidence of those claims. If they provide this information, you can look for additional evidence that corroborates or discredits these claims.
Consult different fact-checking websites to discover what is already known about the subject. Sites such as Fact Checker and Snopes provide evidence regarding claims people have made so you can collect evidence and investigate its accuracy for yourself.
Learn how to use Google's specific search operators to narrow down traditional searching. For example, typing the word "site" followed by a colon and a website returns only results from that website. Typing the word "file" followed by a colon and a file type such as PDF returns only results of that file type.
If possible, use paid databases such as Lexis Nexis and CQ to search for decades-old news reports and the like. The free Wayback Machine and similar sites also help to bring up archived information. These sites are part of the Deep Web, which refers to parts of the Internet whose surface cannot be easily searched.
If looking for an expert to interview, use Amazon.com to find book authors you can contact. Use the site's Search Inside the Book feature to find relevant quotes and explanations for your research.Learn more about Internet & Networking