Evaluating Information Sources

It is important to critically evaluate your sources of information when using periodicals for academic research. Be sure to look for the following when assessing your magazine or journal article:

Understanding the Differences Between Conservative and Liberal Viewpoints

A definition of conservatism

A definition of liberalism

When examining any piece of political writing, it is important to critically evaluate and assess the information source. Many periodicals are written for a specific audience, and this is of particular importance when examining magazines or journals which are written to further a political viewpoint.

Bias

1. an inclination of temperament or outlook; such prepossession with some object or point of view that the mind does not respond impartially to anything related to this object or point of view
2. bent, tendency, trend; inclination
3. anything tending to influence one in a particular direction ; a determining influence

(from Webster's Third New International Dictionary, 1993)

When evaluating and assessing a particular article, be aware of the possibility of bias. When information is presented from one particular viewpoint to further the views of a person or organization, and ignores the views and opinions of an opposite viewpoint, it is biased.
To determine if an article is biased, ask yourself the following questions as you read:

• Is a particular point of view represented?
• Has important information been intentionally or inadvertently excluded?
• Is the language free of emotion-arousing words?
  

Bias Exercise

Magazines for Libraries (ref Z 6941 M23 2002)

Ulrich's Periodical Directory (ref Z 6941 U5 2003)

The Nation vs. The National Review

Propaganda

1. dissemination of ideas , information, or rumor for the purpose of helping or injuring an institution, a cause, or a person
2. doctrines, ideas, arguments, facts, or allegations spread by deliberate effort through any medium of communication in order to further one's cause or to damage an opposing cause
3. a public action or display having the purpose or the effect of furthering or hindering a cause

(from Webster's Third New International Dictionary, 1993)

Propaganda is usually associated with inflammatory speech or writing, but is actually writing which uses facts which are represented in such a way as to provoke a desired response.

In reality, political statements and campaign speeches are examples of propaganda:

Misinformation

"incorrect, untrue, or misleading information"

(from Webster's Third New International Dictionary, 1993)

Differs from propaganda in that it is information which is UNTRUE. It is not deliberate, it is just wrong information.

An urban legend is an example of misinformation. These are fabricated or untrue stories which are passed along from person to person and told as if they were true. The proliferation of email and the Internet have made urban legends quite popular in recent years.

Disinformation

"false information deliberately and often covertly spread (as by the planting of rumors) in order to influence public opinion or obscure the truth"

(from Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th edition, 1998)

The dissemination of deliberately false information is usually associated with such abusers as the Nazi party during the 1930s and 1940s. However, the Internet is a perfect medium for disseminating false information if users do not critically evaluate where that information originated and whether there is a bias involved:

The URL for this web page is http://www.geneseo.edu/~merrill/EvaluatingInformation.htm

© 2003, Kate Merrill
updated 11.12.03
return to INTD 105 Levy