When researching film and other pop culture topics, it's as, if no more important to check for bias. The 2016 movie Ghostbusters is an example of how online opinions can potentially impact public perception and even a film's success.
Hollywood Is Losing the Battle Against Online Trolls
https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/hollywood-is-losing-battle-online-trolls-992582
| Checkpoint | Questions | Explanation |
| Purpose |
Is the site trying to teach, persuade, or sell an idea or product? Is there an obvious bias? Some examples may include race, religion, political view, etc. |
A .com website might be set up for commercial purposes, while an .edu is almost always an educational institution.
Many .org websites, while technically non-profits, may still have an agenda or what might be considered to be a bias. It's important to acknowledge this when reading through information. |
| Accountable | Who is the author? Is contact information provided? |
The author or name of the organization should be clear. Look for an "about us" section and at the very least an email address for getting in touch with the author of the site. |
| Current | When was the site created? When was the site last updated? |
An organization's longevity can be an indicator of their reputation in the industry. Make sure that the information is as current as possible. The website should be updated regularly. |
| Content |
Is the site relevant to your topic? How much advertising is on the site? What is the targeted age range or demographic? |
Make sure that you aren't having to stretch the information to make it fit.
|
| Accurate | Can you verify the information with other websites? |
All sources should be cited. Look for hyperlinks to other websites and names of interview subjects if formal citations aren't provided. Does the information very drastically from other research that you've done? If so, this is a big clue to run the other way. |
