Skip to Main Content
Montana State University - Home Montana State University Library - Home Ask the Library

Evaluating Information Sources

Learn how to evaluate and critique information sources.

What is Cross Referencing, or Lateral Reading?

"The technique, modeled after source-evaluation strategies used by fact-checkers who work for news organizations and outlets, is lateral reading—that is..."investigating... the site itself.” The MLA Guide to Digital Literacy suggests calling it “cross-referencing” a source" (The MLA Style Center)

Why should I cross reference?

"One reason digital sources are difficult to evaluate for bias is that the bias is often intentionally hidden in a practice called astroturfing: masking the true intent (be it political, religious, commercial, or social) of the organization by making it appear more widespread and organic in origin."

Follow these steps:

"Find an article by an organization with a clear bias but one that does not identify its stance, such as “Bullying at School: Never Acceptable,” by the American College of Pediatricians, which the SHEG used in its lateral reading study.

  • Research the website’s author or organization. Identify any possible bias or messaging associated with the organization.
  • Identify keywords in your source and complete your own web search of that topic. Compare the results with your original source.
  • Find a quotation attributed to specific people. Conduct your own research to verify the quotation and confirm it has not been taken out of context or misconstrued.
  • Look for hyperlinks or citations to other organizations or sources. Conduct an online search of those organizations to determine any possible bias or messaging associated with the organization or sources.
  • Look for any advertisements or sponsored content on the website. Conduct a web search to identify possible bias." (The MLA Style Center)

Resources for Instructors