Information Integrity & Critical Digital Literacy Flashcards

Flashcards covering Chapter 3: Information Integrity & Critical Digital Literacy, including misinformation ecosystems, deepfakes, algorithmic curation, fact-checking frameworks (SIFT, CRAAP, Lateral Reading), and media literacy principles.

What five key aspects define information integrity?

Information integrity refers to Accuracy (Is it correct?), Authenticity (Is it real?), Context (Is it presented fairly?), Reliability (Is the source credible?), and Ethical use (Is it shared responsibly?).

What key distinction is illustrated by the example of a photograph of a flooded road?

An authentic photograph does not necessarily mean accurate context.

Why is information integrity particularly relevant to engineers?

If people act on incorrect engineering information (such as electrical safety, construction materials, flood warnings, structural conditions, or construction methods), the consequences move from the digital world into the physical world.

How is misinformation defined?

False or inaccurate information shared without harmful intent.

How is disinformation defined?

False information deliberately created to deceive.

How is malinformation defined?

True information used maliciously.

What is a misinformation ecosystem?

A complex network of interacting actors, technologies, and psychological factors that create, spread, and consume false or misleading content.

What components make up a misinformation ecosystem?

Content creators, troll farms (fake accounts/bots/troll factory/keyboard army), social media platforms, algorithmic ranking systems, influencers, monetization structures, and audiences.

What four psychological factors contribute to the rapid spread of false information?

Novelty effect (new shocking information gets attention), confirmation bias (believing what confirms our views), emotional arousal (anger spreads quickly), and social identity ('my group must be right').

What is a deepfake?

AI-generated synthetic media that manipulates video, audio, or images to make it appear that someone said or did something they never did.

How do Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs) create deepfakes?

Two AIs are used: the Generator produces a fake image or sound, while the Discriminator tries to determine whether it is real or fake. This repeats until the result becomes highly realistic.

What are five common uses of deepfakes mentioned in the lecture?

Entertainment (de-aging actors), Education (interactive historical lessons), Fraud and Scams (CEO fraud/impersonating family), Disinformation (fake political videos), and Explicit Content (non-consensual deepfake porn).

What questions should be asked to verify a suspicious video?

Who published it? When was it published? Where did it originally come from? Are reputable independent sources reporting the same event? Is there an original recording? Is the surrounding context consistent? Can the claim be verified through an authoritative source?

What is algorithmic curation?

The use of automated, personalized, and data-driven filtering based on past behavior, clicks, location, engagement history, watch time, and social network to select and rank content.

What is a filter bubble?

A personalized, algorithmic, and invisible information ecosystem where online platforms restrict content based on a user's past behavior, location, and search history, making opposing views invisible.

In addition to algorithmic recommendations, what sources should engineering students consult before making decisions?

Technical literature, standards, government information, university research, manufacturer documentation, field evidence, and professional guidance.

What does each letter stand for in the SIFT fact-checking method?

S - Stop; I - Investigate the Source; F - Find Better Coverage; T - Trace to Original.

What steps are involved in lateral reading?

Opening multiple tabs to check author credentials, search organization reputation, examine Wikipedia entries, and look for independent verification rather than staying on a single page.

What criteria are evaluated in the CRAAP test?

Currency (Is it recent?), Relevance (Is it related?), Authority (Who wrote it?), Accuracy (Is it supported by evidence?), and Purpose (Why was it created?).

What are the five core principles of the Media Literacy Framework?

1. All media messages are constructed. 2. Media has its own language. 3. People interpret messages differently. 4. Media contains embedded values and perspectives. 5. Most media is constructed for profit or power.

What are the 5 sequential steps in the chapter synthesis process diagram?

1. INFORMATION (Collect raw data, knowledge, and intelligence), 2. INTERPRETATION (Analyze, understand, and contextualize), 3. VERIFICATION (Double-check accuracy, validity, and reliability), 4. DECISION (Make a calculated choice), 5. ACTION (Implement the decision and execute the plan).