Mike Caulfield. CC BY 4.0, via Hapgood.US
STOP – What is the source of the information? What is the reputation of the information and the source?
INVESTIGATE – What are you reading? Who produced the information? Knowing the expertise and agenda of the source is crucial to understanding the significance and trustworthiness of the information.
FIND BETTER COVERAGE – look for trusted sources to verify the information – “go out and find the best source you can on this topic, or, just as importantly, to scan multiple sources and see what the expert consensus seems to be”
TRACE – try and find the original context for the information you are looking at. Viewing it in its original context will help you get a sense of how accurately the information it being presented.