The internet has made it easier than ever to find explanations, opinions, statistics, and breaking news. It has also made it harder to distinguish carefully researched information from material that is incomplete, misleading, or simply incorrect. A reliable online reading habit does not require advanced technical skills, but it does require patience and a willingness to examine how a claim was produced. Start With the Source The identity and purpose of a publisher provide useful context. A government agency, university, professional association, newsroom, private company, and anonymous personal account may all present information differently because they operate under different standards…