Fact-Checking Policy
Fetches Index is committed to publishing accurate, well-verified content on education. This Fact-Checking Policy describes the specific process we use to verify information before publication and to address errors when they are identified after publication.
Pre-Publication Verification
Every article goes through verification before publication. The specific steps include the following.
Numerical claims are checked against original sources. When we cite percentages, dollar figures, study sample sizes, or other quantitative information, the numbers are verified from primary sources rather than from secondary reporting.
Names, titles, and affiliations of cited individuals are verified through institutional websites, professional profiles, or direct confirmation with the individuals when possible.
Direct quotations are verified with the source. When we cite published statements, we verify the original publication. When we cite interview material, we confirm the wording with the interviewee or through interview recordings.
Research citations link to the original studies. We do not paraphrase research findings in ways that overstate or misrepresent the original conclusions.
Sources We Trust and Sources We Verify
Peer-reviewed research published in recognized journals is generally accepted as a primary source, though we examine methodology and limitations rather than accepting findings uncritically. Government data from established agencies is generally accepted but examined for context.
Claims from advocacy organizations, marketing materials, and partisan sources are verified against independent evidence before they appear in our articles. We do not republish claims from interested parties without independent verification.
Anonymous Sources
When sources speak anonymously, we apply additional verification. We seek to confirm the information through alternative sources, examine documentary evidence when available, and assess the credibility of the source before publication. Anonymous claims that cannot be independently verified are generally not published.
Editorial Review
Before publication, each article is reviewed by at least one editor in addition to the writer. The review examines factual accuracy, balance, sourcing, and adherence to our Editorial Standards. Articles that raise particular concerns receive additional review.
Post-Publication Corrections
Despite our care, errors occasionally occur. When we identify an error after publication, we correct it promptly. The correction process includes several steps.
Factual corrections update the affected text and add a note at the bottom of the article describing the correction and the date it was made. We do not silently change articles to obscure earlier versions.
Substantive errors that affect the conclusions of an article receive prominent acknowledgment, including a clarifying note at the top of the article when warranted.
Reader-reported errors are investigated and corrected when verified. Readers who report errors receive acknowledgment of their contribution.
Updates for Changed Circumstances
Educational situations change over time. Universities change tuition. Programs change requirements. Research findings update. When information in an article has become outdated in ways that significantly affect reader decisions, we update the article and note the update at the bottom of the affected text.
Limitations
Fact-checking is rigorous but not infallible. We work to verify information thoroughly within reasonable resource constraints. Readers who find errors are invited to contact us so we can investigate and correct as appropriate.
Contact
To report a factual error or to ask about our verification process, please contact us through our Contact page. We treat factual corrections as a priority and aim to respond within five business days for substantive issues.