Connecting to vetted and reliable information sources helps you make informed decisions, solve problems, gain knowledge so you can be effective in the workplace, help guide family members and participate in your community responsibly and as a knowledgeable citizen.
Your first step should to determine what type of information you need and then consider factors that will help you find appropriate and trustworthy sources.
What type of information are you looking for?
What to consider
News should present facts, observations, verifiable data, witness accounts through first-person interviews, or reports and findings obtained from reliable sources. The writer's goal should be to inform and present multiple angles or perspectives when feasible.
The writer should be an objective reporter of information and let you decide how you want to use that information.
Be wary of news that selectively chooses what to report without presenting a full picture unless they are clear about their selectivity.
How do you know what is trustworthy?
Ask yourself these questions:
- Who is the author and what expertise, credentials do they offer? Are they affiliated with credible groups? Does the publisher of the book or content use editorial guidelines or follow professional or industry standards?
- Is the information presented verifiable or generally accepted by credible institutions or professional associations? Are there other bodies of work that support the claims made?
- Are other established organizations reporting the same findings, news or information?
Where should you start?
If you've made it here, you are off to a great start! While the internet is a great resource for trustworthy information, it is also a place where misinformation and disinformation thrives. Library resources are a great place to start and our team is here to help:
- Library subscription-based resources: we partner with top information providers with demonstrated commitment to quality sources. Browse our A-Z list of providers to see which ones meet your information needs. If you are unsure where to start, use our Where to Find Information guide.
- Books and media in our collection: our librarians consult selection tools such as journals and book review publications before they purchase books and materials. Search our catalog for materials on the topic that interests you.
- Websites: you will also find references to freely available, established and informative websites in our subject guides. Each guide provides plenty of recommendations to connect you with starting points.
That said, in an effort to provide a broad selection of content, you may find books and information through our various providers and catalogs that may not give the full picture. We trust you will question things when they don't align with known and established sources, and verify content using the tools we provide!
If you need help, be sure to contact a librarian who can help you locate information or connect you to a resource.