We all have a responsibility to fact-check sources before we retweet or repost so that those who follow us are reading accurate and reliable information.
By definition, ACT UP means to act in a way that is different from normal or what is generally accepted.
To ACT UP, means to actively engage in dismantling oppressions and acting upwards to create a more socially just system.
Use the acronym below to evaluate your sources answering as many of these questions as you can.
Author:
Who created the resource?
Who is the author/publisher/sponsor/source?
Are the creator's credentials or affiliations given?
What are they?
Is the author qualified to speak on the topic?
Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
Can you Google the creator? Find a LinkedIn page? Anything else they’ve done?
Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
examples: .com, .edu, .gov
What do you know about the creator(s)?
Currency:
How current is this resource?
When was the information published or posted?
Has the resource been superseded by new information?
Does your topic require current information, or will older sources work as well?
Are web links functional?
"Using outdated research to back up a claim is lazy and irresponsible."
Truth:
How accurate is this information?
Is the information supported by evidence?
Where does the information come from?
Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
Can you verify any of the information in another source?
Even information presented at a reputable site can include bad research or inaccurate data.
Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?
Unbiased:
Is the information intended to persuade?
What is the purpose of the information?
Is the information presented to sway the audience to a particular point of view?
Unless otherwise stated, resources should be impartial.
Bias isn't always a bad thing as long as the source is aware of their own bias and upfront with the audience.
Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
Does the language of the source contain words to evoke an emotional response?
Question whether your own confirmation bias affects the way you search and choose resources.
Are you more likely to value resources that confirm what you already believe to be true and overlook those that call your beliefs into question?
Remember: online search engines will tailor results to your previous online activity, and social networks display stories that will get your clicks.
Privilege:
Who is missing in this conversation?
Check the privilege(s) of the creator(s).
Why is this information available (and other information isn't)?
Are these the only people who write, publish, or create content about this topic?
Who is missing in this conversation?
What are the inherent biases of news media and the publishing industry (and library classification systems)?
CAFE Advice
CAFE Advice
In order to be informed cultural producers of information (as opposed to being cultural consumers), we need to think critically about the resources we are using and citing in our projects.
We have a social responsibility to others who might be looking to us for information. We all have a responsibility to fact-check sources before we retweet or repost so that those that follow us are reading accurate and reliable information.
Use the acronym below to evaluate your sources answering as many of these questions as you can.
Challenge
Challenge information and demand accountability. Stand right up to the information and ask questions.
Who says so? Why do they say so? Why was this information created?
Why should I believe it? Why should I trust this source?
How is it known to be true? Is it the whole truth?
Is the argument reasonable? Who supports it?
Adapt
Adapt your skepticism and requirements for quality to fit the importance of the information and what is being claimed.
Require more credibility and evidence for stronger claims.
You are right to be a little skeptical of dramatic information or information that conflicts with commonly accepted ideas.
New information may be true, but you should require a robust amount of evidence from highly credible sources.
File
File new information in your mind rather than immediately believing or disbelieving it.
Avoid premature closure. Do not jump to a conclusion or come to a decision too quickly.
It is fine simply to remember that someone claims XYZ to be the case. You need not worry about believing or disbelieving the claim right away.
Wait until more information comes in, you have time to think about the issue, and you gain more general knowledge.
Evaluate
Evaluate and re-evaluate regularly.
New information or changing circumstances will affect the accuracy and hence your evaluation of previous information.
Recognize the dynamic, fluid nature of information.
Everyone, but particularly those people in the academy, should critically reflect on their everyday practices of citation. Recognizing this, Cite Black Women engages with social media and public dialogue to push people to critically rethink the politics of race, gender, and knowledge production.
