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What is Information Literacy?
What is Information Literacy?
Information literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, organize, use, and communicate information in all its various formats, most notably in situations requiring decision making, problem solving, or the acquisition of knowledge. It is a combination of research skills, critical thinking skills, computer technology skills, and communication skills. Information literacy is essential for academic success, effective functioning in the workplace, and participation in society as knowledgeable citizens.
Fake news is false, inaccurate, or misleading information disguised as credible news. Unlike legitimate news, fake news is not checked for accuracy or credibility. Some fake news stories are easy to detect because they are silly and clearly not meant to be taken seriously. However, many fake news reports are difficult to distinguish from the truth. Rather than aiming to provide readers with an unbiased and true account of whatever is happening, these stories seek to spread distrust, manipulate public opinion, redirect blame, destroy reputations, or generate personal, political, or financial gain.
The Fake News Crisis: How Misinformation Harms Society
Publisher: ReferencePoint Press, Inc.
Approximately 50 percent of American adults who get their news online rely on social media as their source for news reports.
The Fake News Crisis
THE CRAAP METHOD:
Currency: How recently has the source been published? Is it recent enough to warrant credible information? Is information provided in the source outdated? These are questions that can be asked in the Currency portion of the CRAAP test.
Relevance: How important is the source for your needs? Is it applicable/related to the topic you are researching? Who is the intended audience? Is the information at an appropriate level for you? These are all parts of the Relevance portion of the CRAAP test.
Authority: The author’s credibility to be writing a source. How qualified are the authors to be writing a source? Where are they writing from (government post, blog, school website) ? Make sure the author is credible to make sure that they are qualified to write the source. These are parts of the Authority portion of the CRAAP test.
Accuracy: Is the information correct? Is it possible to validate the information using another source? Is the information vague: “Doctor recommended”, “studies show”, and “most people agree”? Check to see if there is backing material behind these statements. These are all parts of the Accuracy portion of the CRAAP test.
Purpose: Is information biased? Why is the source available for users to access? Why does the information exist? Make sure you know why the information is put out in the public to understand the thought process behind the publication of the source. These are all parts of the Purpose portion of the CRAAP test.
Make sure that a source meets all major components of the CRAAP test. If a source does not meet 3/5 of the requirements in a CRAAP test, it is most likely not a credible source. You have to make sure that the source is written by a qualified person, for a good reason, and the information provided is accurate, useful to your needs, and current enough to still be up-to-date.
WORLD WIDE WEB OR WILD WILD WEST?
SHOULD I TRUST INTERNET SOURCES?
"As a researcher, you are responsible for evaluating all your sources, including the information found on the Internet." - John Jay College of Criminal Justice
Myth or Fact?
"Spinach is an excellent source of iron."
True or False?
"Large doses of Vitamin C helps you stay healthy."
True or False?
"Sugar causes hyperactivity in children."
True or False?
"Goldfish have a 3-second memory?"
True or False?
"Lightning never strikes the same place twice."
True or False?
“Humans only use 10% of their brains."
True or False?
"Humans should drink 8 glasses of water per day."
True or False?
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