Use corroboration across multiple sources, including lateral reading, when lacking relevant prior knowledge¶

Strategy · All strategies
Evidence · 2 claims (2 for) · 1 study (1 theoretical), q2 · 0 of 1 report an effect size · 2 claims rest on one study

Description¶

The article presents corroboration—verifying the accuracy of information using other information sources—as a strategy readers can apply when their content knowledge is insufficient. As printed, "Corroboration can be considered an essential strategy for laypersons who lack relevant prior knowledge about a specific issue." By corroborating across multiple sources, readers can check whether claims align with expert consensus, and professional fact-checkers practice this through lateral reading, opening additional web resources in separate tabs to cross-reference sources.

Design Implications¶

Context¶

Requirements¶

• Access to multiple online information sources that can be cross-referenced
• Awareness that one's own prior knowledge may be insufficient for direct evaluation

Constraints¶

• The article describes corroboration as essential for laypersons lacking relevant prior knowledge about a specific issue; it does not claim corroboration alone suffices for all evaluation

Target Learners¶

• layperson online readers
• adolescent and adult students evaluating online information

Target Learning Goals¶

• verifying the accuracy of online claims against expert consensus
• lateral reading and cross-referencing of sources

Affordances¶

• Framework Prior Knowledge Online Credibility Evaluation

Claims¶

• Five prior knowledge types map onto first-, second-, and third-hand credibility evaluation strategies [+W]
• Instruction improves adolescents' metastrategic knowledge of sourcing and corroboration, with gains reflected in evaluation performance [+W]

Related Strategies¶

• Evaluating Online Sources
• Corroboration
• Fact Checking
• Reading Laterally
• Website Evaluation Checklist
• 3-Source Rule

Examples¶

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Key Sources¶

• Carita Kiili, Ivar Bråten, and Julie Coiro. (2026). The framework of prior knowledge in online credibility evaluation. Educational Psychologist. https://doi.org/10.1080/00461520.2026.2717081