Skip to Main Content

Evaluating Sources: Teaching Materials

Learn how to quickly determine if the information you've found is accurate.

Fact Check Exercises & Teaching Materials

Can you tell fact from opinion?  Can you determine if a website is presenting unbiased, accurate information or if it is presenting information from a particular point of view?

In 2017, Sam Wineberg and Sarah McGrew of the Stanford History Education Group published a working paper describing an experiment they conducted. They asked people to compare the information they found on two different websites to determine which site contained credible or accurate and unbiased information. 

They were asked to evaluate information they found on the two websites you see below. Which organization is more credible, meaning which one is more likely to give you unbiased information on bullying or other issues related to children?

The American College of Pediatricians

American Academy of Pediatrics

You can learn more about Wineberg and McGrew's findings by reading their paper or by watching Mike Caulfield's quick video describing the results of their study.

Here's a presentation you can use to explain this method to others.

You can also edit the presentation if you download it.

Cerritos College Library | 11110 Alondra Blvd., Norwalk, CA 90650 | 562-860-2451 | Reference ext 2425 | Circulation ext 2424