Start Thinking...
What does it mean to think critically?
Critical thinking is to think actively, with an awareness of potential problems in the information you encounter, whether it's from the Internet, television, radio, something in print or any other source.
Why ask Why? Because!
Why is it important to evaluate any information you encounter?
Information exists everywhere. Usually a substantial percentage of that information is incomplete and quite possibly inaccurate. Innocent mistakes like typographical errors often occur. There are also individuals and organizations who, for different reasons, consciously perpetuate lies or partial truths. You simply cannot afford to assume everything you see or hear is accurate and complete.
Asking the Right Questions
What kinds of questions should you have in mind when you encounter information?
Does the information satisfy my needs? Is the producer of the information an authority? Are they qualified to report the information? Is the information current? Is there evidence of bias or value-ladened words? Is the information propaganda or an advertisement? What is the producer's purpose or motive? Is the information complete? Are there better sources of information elsewhere?
Are You Satisfied?
Does the information you encounter satisfy your needs?
There are many kinds of information that exist in varying quantities. Often you think you found information you can use, but is it really what you needed and in the form you desired? For example, if you were looking for facts about the planet Earth and found a book or website designed for children, you might find accurate information here, but many facts that might impact on your research would not be present, because the information source was not designed for adult reference. In this case you need something more age-appropriate - a source for grown-ups that can provide greater details.
Are You an Authority?
What does it mean to be an authority?
It means the person discussing a topic has relevant expertise, which gives credibility to the information being presented. You wouldn't consult a plumber for medical advice (unless the plumber had clear expertise in that area). Remember, anyone can publish information on the Internet - or in print - and that information, however professionally presented, might be misinformed, faulty, and dangerously so if it involves health or leagl information. Determining authority is an essential part of critical thinking.
Is It Current?
Is the information you found up-to-date, or is it so old that it's now irrelevant or inaccurate as compared to more recent knowledge?
Information is always being created and stored away somewhere, in books, on the Internet, and elsewhere, such as microfilm or compact discs. Old information persists until someone discards it, or until someone replaces it with more current information. You usually would not base your understanding or decision on outdated information. Old, or historical information has great worth - when that's what you need - but if you need something more recent, you should continue with your research until you find more current information.
Evidence of Bias
Is the information you found biased in some way?
Information rarely exists in an objective form, even if you're working strictly with numbers (for example, statistics). While it might not seem like it, much of the information you encounter is presented or phrased in a way that favors one point of view over another. For example, statistics cited by one politician may be deliberately presented in a manner unflattering to the opposing political party. This happens regularly during election years. Bias runs rampant elsewhere, such as journalism and advertisements, and it's often difficult to detect. Consulting multiple persons and sources of information is one way of detecting and overcoming biased information.
Covert or Overt Commercialism
Why are commercial sources of information a problem?
In the business world, everything is money. Profit motivates people. Companies offering information or publishing ads usually want to make money. Many commercial entities sincerely want to guide people to helpful products or information, but most companies must turn a profit by any means possible, even at your expense. Commercialism runs rampant on the Internet. Websites offer free information because their costs are offset by advertising space sold. Some search engines, for example, present results based not on what's relevant to your research, but instead what company or person has paid to have their information shown to you. The only safe place to conduct your research is at your school or local library.
What's the Motivation?
Whoever's making information available - what's their motive?
People publish information for many reasons; in every case it is for some reason. A company publishes ads to sell products. A scientist publishes research to make it available to the scientific community for further study. A politician makes statements in support of her or his campaign or party. Someone writes a bad review of a book or movie because they didn't like it. Whatever the reason, it's important to remember that information does not exist on its own: people prepare and present it in hopes of achieving some goal. You cannot assume that goal is simply to educate you in an objective manner; that is rarely the case. Consider why a person, website, book, or any other source is presenting information. Perhaps their intention is, in the end, good, but you cannot afford to assume this is always the case.
Thinking about Completeness
Is the information you're examining complete?
We usually encounter bits and pieces of information and are left on our own to assemble "the big picture." If we do not consult a variety persons or sources of information, we will be limited to whatever we've heard, seen, personally concluded or imagined. Unless we are informed outright, we often don't know if we're not being told the complete story. Using the obvious case of fiction, a novel said to be "abridged" contains only a fraction of the complete story. While parts you missed might not be "important" to the plot, you're literally not getting the whole story. Omissions prevent us from considering all the facts: our understanding will be based on incomplete information. Outside of the world of fiction, such omissions can be dangerous. You must actively seek out the whole truth to the best of your ability.
In Search of Better Sources
Are there better sources of information available elsewhere?
You should always seek out the best - that is, the most current and definitive - source of information available. Finding a superior source is a challenge, which is why you should start your research at a library, where a librarian, knowledgeable of sources, will assist you. Even after finding what appears to be an excellent source, your search has not necessarily concluded: there could always be a newer publication that more completely addresses a subject. Note: "better" does not always mean "newer": some of the most "definitive" texts were actually written centuries ago. Consulting the creators and primary sources of information yields higher information value: for example, why assume an opinion on Shakespeare is true just because it came from a professor at an esteemed university? "Definitive" doesn't always mean "from someone of high stature"; sometimes it just means consulting the most direct or publically recognized information source.
Reviewing the Concepts
What should you take away from this course?
Information you encounter may contain defects. Those defects may be purely accidental or secretly intentional. Never proceed without all the facts. Consult multiple sources and seek out superior sources. Remember anyone can publish anything on the Internet. Be aware there may be bias, misrepresentations, or ulterior motives working behind information encountered; the hidden agenda might be to sell you something or to exploit your ignorance. Try to see "the bigger picture," performing additional research as necessary until your needs are truly satisfied. Above all know librarians are your allies in your struggle against disinformation: always start your search for knowledge at the library!
If you want, you may now take a quiz to test your knowledge.