From Cynicism to Trust: Strategies for Teaching Students Source Evaluation Skills
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| Title: | From Cynicism to Trust: Strategies for Teaching Students Source Evaluation Skills |
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| Language: | English |
| Authors: | Mandi Goodsett, Melanie Gagich |
| Source: | Communications in Information Literacy. 2025 19(1):69-92. |
| Availability: | Communications in Information Literacy. e-mail: editors@comminfolit.org; Web site: https://pdxscholar.library.pdx.edu/comminfolit/ |
| Peer Reviewed: | Y |
| Page Count: | 25 |
| Publication Date: | 2025 |
| Document Type: | Journal Articles Reports - Research Tests/Questionnaires |
| Education Level: | Higher Education Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: | Information Literacy, Information Skills, Reading Skills, College Freshmen, Misinformation, Bias, Information Sources, Library Instruction, Intervention, Trust (Psychology), Librarian Teacher Cooperation |
| Geographic Terms: | Ohio (Cleveland) |
| Abstract: | Concerns about the spread and adoption of misinformation abound, and academic librarians have played a part in trying to stem the tide through information literacy instruction. However, teaching students how to evaluate sources can be complicated--teaching fact-checking skills may be insufficient if it increases students' overall cynicism about information ecosystems. This study explores how teaching fact-checking and lateral reading skills, along with instruction about "bias filters," can help to reduce the cynicism of first year writing students, while also increasing their misinformation detection skills. Results are mixed, but teaching about the information creation process and "bias filters" is especially promising. The authors also recommend faculty-librarian collaborations as an effective strategy for teaching students how to evaluate sources. |
| Abstractor: | As Provided |
| Entry Date: | 2025 |
| Accession Number: | EJ1479044 |
| Database: | ERIC |
| Abstract: | Concerns about the spread and adoption of misinformation abound, and academic librarians have played a part in trying to stem the tide through information literacy instruction. However, teaching students how to evaluate sources can be complicated--teaching fact-checking skills may be insufficient if it increases students' overall cynicism about information ecosystems. This study explores how teaching fact-checking and lateral reading skills, along with instruction about "bias filters," can help to reduce the cynicism of first year writing students, while also increasing their misinformation detection skills. Results are mixed, but teaching about the information creation process and "bias filters" is especially promising. The authors also recommend faculty-librarian collaborations as an effective strategy for teaching students how to evaluate sources. |
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