Standard 3: Accessing Valid Information

Performance Indicators

3.12.1 Evaluate the validity of health information, products, and services.

3.12.2 Use resources from home, school, and community that provide valid health information.

3.12.3 Determine the accessibility of products and services that enhance health.

3.12.4 Determine when professional health services may be required.

3.12.5 Access valid and reliable health products and services.

How is it relevant?

Nowadays, we have access to an untold amount of information. However, not all information is valid, credible, or even factual.

Around 68% of Americans get some of their news on social media in 2018, and it has been on a steady rise (Shu, 2020). Particularly with social media, anyone can post almost anything and claim it as fact. This can be dangerous because the information provided may not be supported by any evidence.

Information provided through any source needs to be vetted to be proven valid and credible.

What to consider

Use the C.R.A.A.P method! (Wright, 2021)

Use credible URLs:

.gov
.edu
.org

Information from social media:

Clickbait: Phrases designed to attract someone's attention to click on a link that takes them to a different site. Clicks generate revenue for companies
If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Do your own research!
Algorithms: Sites will show you posts based on your previous search history. This may lead many to have skewed views on topics
Echo chamber thesis: People will seek out information that confirms their beliefs. This leads to a situation where similar opinions reinforce each other and lead to attitude polarization (Wollebæk, 2019).

References

Micro/Macro Economics (Wright): Finding credible web sources. LibGuides. (n.d.). Retrieved November 1, 2021, from https://libguides.spokanefalls.edu/econ/Credible_sources.

Shu, K., Mahudeswaran, D., Wang, D.,Lee, W., and Liu, H. Big Data.Jun 2020.171-188.http://doi.org/10.1089/big.2020.0062

Wollebæk, D., Karlsen, R., Steen-Johnsen, K., & Enjolras, B. (2019). Anger, Fear, and Echo Chambers: The Emotional Basis for Online Behavior. Social Media + Society. https://doi.org/10.1177/2056305119829859

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