Finding a variety of perspectives
"The core of a liberal arts education is learning how to take information and then use that information to make an argument to people who you might disagree with." Dr. William P Jones, Professor of History from the Public Life Project.
Information is all around us. One job you have, as UMN students (and human), is to continue to build skills to find and critical evaluate the information you use in your daily life, in your conversations and in your academic or classwork. The goal is not to find information you agree with but to be exposed to and grow tolerance and then understanding for why people have different beliefs about complex topics, issues, events and situations.
How do we evaluate information when we find it?
We all have ways to get information -- over time we learn what we can trust and what we can't. When learning about new topics or topics we are unfamiliar with - it can be challenging to know what to trust, what is fact and what is opinion. Finding multiple sources which have similar information is on technique.
- Learn more: Evaluating Sources (from University of California-Berkley Libraries)
Be aware of your search terms and keywords
When searching for information or source -- using Google or a tool like a library article database -- be aware of your search terms and how they can impact your results. Using biased or "charged" search terms or keywords will lead to results that are similarly biased. For example, searching for "product safety" vs. "consumer protection" will influence the information you find. Be aware and add new terms to your search as you learn more about the topic.
- Learn more: Identifying Bias (from University of Wisconsin -Green Bay Library)
Be aware of misinformation and disinformation (a.k.a #fakenews)
Some information is simple false and wrong. There are many motivations -- usually involving money $$ -- from clicks to paid promotions to foreign interference -- for sites or sources to have wrong information. Learn some red flags that should make you pause and verify - like strange URLs, no authors, major grammatical errors, extreme language, and more.
- Learn more: Fake News & Disinformation (from Central Washington University Libraries)
Be aware of algorithms and filter bubbles
Search engines and social media have algorithms that cater to our interests. Sounds great - until we become isolated in our "filter bubbles." Watch: How Filter Bubbles isolate you (2 mins) to learn more.
"Algorithms of oppression : how search engines reinforce racism" by Safiya Umoja Noble (view online book in UMN Libraries)
Be aware of information privilege
Information (even digital) isn't free to create. Some sites and sources use advertising to help pay for it and others are charging to view. Libraries pay publishers to have access to journals, magazines, and newspapers. Having an awareness of some of the economics behind information (e.g. open access) can help make judgements about using and evaluating information.
- Learn more: Information privilege (from City University of Seattle Library)
Check the Facts
- PolitifactFact-checking journalism is the heart of PolitiFact. Our core principles are independence, transparency, fairness, thorough reporting and clear writing. The reason we publish is to give citizens the information they need to govern themselves in a democracy.
- Teen Fact Checking NetworkThe MediaWise Teen Fact-Checking Network (TFCN) publishes fact-checks for teenagers, by teenagers. TFCN fact-checks are unique in that they debunk misinformation and teach the audience media literacy skills so they can fact-check on their own.
- Snopes.comInternet site for researching urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation.
- FactCheck.orgThe Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania monitors claims from major U.S. politicians in the form of TV ads, debates, speeches, interviews and news releases.