
We recommend using fact-checking tools, analyzing information sources, and researching scientific articles to avoid manipulation and the spread of inaccurate information. The article describes how to work with tools such as Google Fact-Check Explorer and Retraction Watch to improve accuracy in fact-checking.
We’ve all seen those news stories with sensational scientific claims based on just one study or the opinion of a so-called expert. It’s easy to get influenced, but how do you know if these claims are true? Is the expert a real expert and does the research support the information in the headline? In this article, I’ll share simple ways to check the validity of scientific data so you can distinguish real discoveries from just buzz.
The article will teach you how to check scientific claims in the news. You’ll learn how to use fact-checking tools to analyze, determine if a real expert is making a comment, and examine the scientific basis for those claims. In addition, you will learn to identify biased news sources and understand the basics of scientific research. At the end, you will receive practical advice to distinguish facts from bright headlines and not be manipulated.
Fact-checking suspicious claims has become easier thanks to the availability of search engines with built-in fact-checking tools. One of the most convenient such tools is the Google Fact-Check Explorer, which allows you to quickly find out whether a professional has checked certain information before. Thanks to such resources, the data verification process is significantly simplified, and you can quickly access verified facts.
Using the search bar, you can search for fact-checking on any specific statement, including topics, people, or images. The term “claim” is used here to refer to any questionable news or story that requires verification.
So, if there is a match, the result will show:
where the story came from
a reliable fact-checked source of information with a link to a fact-checked article/post
a brief summary of the finding (true, false, humor, satire, context needed, etc.)
When entering a query, the search engine automatically suggests keywords, just like in regular Google. For example, when you start typing the word “flat”, a drop-down menu appears with hints for further refining the search.
Interestingly, the tool also checks social media, for example, in this case my search for “flat earth” led to a rumor on Instagram about an astronaut who allegedly admitted that the Earth was flat. Check out the following result:
The listing shows that there was a claim that a Polish astronaut “conceived that the Earth is flat” and it came from Instagram. It also stated that the fact-checking was by Lead Stories.The claim was rated as humor (that is, the guy was joking).
Even if there are no fact checks for what you’re researching, you can find the expert’s name in one of the fact checks mentioned above. This is the most important stage of expert verification. They may have legitimate credentials but still make ridiculous claims. So you want to see if there are other facts verifying this expert’s claims.
There are also other fact-checking sites and search engines worth checking out. This will come in handy if Google Explorer with fact-checking doesn’t find what you’re looking for.
As for scientific experts, their research is often publicly available, but sometimes false claims can be made even by real scientists. To test a person’s expertise, you can use Google Scholar, which is a great tool for evaluating scientific expertise. Through a simple search by name, you can find the researcher’s profile and a list of his works. This allows for a more detailed study of the expert’s scientific contribution and to check the reliability of his statements.
This is what a real expert profile looks like. Please note that Dr. Stark’s profile states that she is affiliated with the University of Oxford and has a verified university email address.
To get more information about a scientist, you can view the articles tab for all his publications or the public access tab for works that are publicly available. You can also view the “cited” and “co-authors” tabs. The “cited” tab contains articles where the researcher’s work is cited, and “co-authors” are colleagues with whom he co-authored. This adds authority to the expert, demonstrating his recognition in the community. For example, a paper may be cited more than 600 times.
The list of contributors below includes recognized experts who have chosen to work with our expert.
Look out for experts who don’t have publications or credentials. It happens that even real scientists can make false statements without having experience in a certain field. For example, a geologist is not an expert in neurology. To quickly check the researcher’s field of knowledge, you can use the Google Scholar profile, where the main research topics are displayed at the top. This will help you understand whether the specialist’s statements are within his competence.
Second, there are researchers who are marginalized or even falsify their research. One example is Dr. Judy Mikovits, who made several debunked claims that vaccines cause cancer and claimed to have been sent to prison for her revelations. Check out this fact check about Dr. Mikowitz .
Dr. Mikowitz received his PhD in Biology from George Washington University and has published research. However, her research papers were also retracted because her findings could not be reproduced.
In this case, you can use Retraction Watch, which tracks retractions and maintains a database of retracted scientific studies. If you use this tool, be sure to enter the person’s last name first. See below when I searched for “Judy Mikovits” I got no results.
I should have searched for “Mikowitz, Judy” instead
Mikowitz has three recalls identified in the database. Here’s one of the hits, which is obviously pretty dense reading material.
You can check if someone has attended a university in the US by calling the institution for “student information” or by submitting a request through studentclearinghouse.org
But be aware that the website charges a $30 fee (but you’re only charged if they find results).
Above you can see the researchers listed with the article and you can click on the name to open their profile. You can see how an article is viewed by the community in this field by searching for articles that cite the original article.
You can search for other studies on the same or similar topic by clicking on “Related Articles”.
This is useful for seeing if other scientific papers agree or offer conflicting results. For example, you might find an article that claims smoking is good for your lungs, but most other studies on the topic won’t back that up.
In order for scientific research to be considered legitimate, it must pass several important stages. First, it must be peer-reviewed, which means that other experts evaluate the work. Second, the study should use a double-blind method, which means that neither the participants nor the researchers know who is in which group, which helps reduce bias and inaccuracies. Finally, the study must be published in a scientific journal that adheres to strict quality standards, giving it added legitimacy and credibility.
It is important to understand the different levels of evidence, as misinformation often relies on one study or the opinion of a single expert, ignoring other research on a topic. This will help in the search for reliable information, where meta-analyses and systematic reviews are the best sources of evidence.
Searching in Google Scholar allows you to select the period of publication and pay attention to systematic reviews. This is the highest level of evidence, as they summarize numerous studies on the chosen topic.
For example, a search for the effectiveness of acupuncture for arthritis will reveal systematic reviews that have the most value, particularly reviews from more recent years that are more current and reliable.
Here are two free credibility assessment tools. The first, Credibility, will evaluate specific articles. The second, the Media Bias fact checker, evaluates the news source itself.
Is it credible (fact-based) – This tool evaluates the credibility of articles using an automatic algorithm
It describes itself as “A simple website where you can rank any news article you find, or find the hottest news on any topic.”
Factual describes its rating system as follows:
Each article receives a score from 1 to 100% based on four indicators: site quality, author experience, quality and variety of sources, and writing tone. Each of these indicators answers key questions about the informational value of the article.
Site Quality: Does the site have a history of producing informative, well-sourced articles?
Author Expertise: Does the author have a track record of writing well-researched informative articles on the topic? Does the author focus on the topic and therefore may have some expertise?
Quality and variety of sources: How many unique sources and direct citations are used in the article? What is the site rating of these sources?
Tone of the article: Was the article written in a neutral, light-hearted tone or did it use emotional language?
These four metrics are combined to produce a single percentage score, which we interpret as the probability that the article is informative. Scores above 75% are considered informative, while scores below 50% are less likely.
Media Bias Fact Checker – This tool creates ratings of media bias based on the level and direction of a website’s bias, and identifies questionable and conspiracy sources.
Although it’s extremely full of ads, you can search for a particular news source and the site will return a very detailed and extensive credibility and bias analysis (with a short visual summary at the top if you need a quick answer). The results are created by humans, not by an algorithm.
If you’re looking for more in-depth guidance on researching and evaluating a news source, The News Literacy Project, Pierce College, and Mind Tools have created resources specifically for this situation.
The News Literacy Project suggests the following steps:
Do a quick search: Doing a simple search for information about a news source is a key first step in assessing its credibility.
Look for standards: Reputable news organizations strive to adhere to ethical principles and standards, including fairness, accuracy and independence.
Check for transparency: Quality news sources should be transparent not only about their reporting practices, but also about their ownership and funding.
Check how errors are handled: Trusted news sources take responsibility for errors and correct them. Do you see evidence that this source corrects or clarifies errors?
Evaluate News Coverage: An important step in vetting sources is taking the time to read and evaluate several news articles.
In the fast flow of news, it is easy to succumb to loud claims about scientific discoveries. But now there are tools that will help verify the veracity of the information. One can investigate whether a person is really an expert and whether research supports certain claims. By using fact-checking, verifying the qualifications of experts, and understanding the principles of legitimate science, you can easily separate reliable facts from sensational headlines. Therefore, a little additional research will always help to make sure the information is correct.