Notes: Media and Information Literacy – Sources of Information

Indigenous Media and Indigenous Knowledge

  • Indigenous Media: forms of media expression conceptualized, produced, and circulated by indigenous peoples around the globe as vehicles for communication; varies from one place to another. It is a medium used by Indigenous people to relay or express certain information.
  • Indigenous Knowledge (IK): also referred to as folk knowledge or local knowledge; knowledge about a particular region or community; reflects heritage and culture (legends, folktales, epic, mythology).
  • Characteristics of Indigenous Knowledge:
    • oral tradition of communication
    • store information in memories
    • information exchange is face-to-face
    • information is contained within the border of the community
  • Indigenous Communication: The transmission of information through local channels or forms; a means by which the culture is preserved, handed down, and adapted.

Library Sources

  • Library sources are places where literary, musical, artistic, or reference materials are kept for use but not for sale; a building or room that contains a large collection of books and reference materials.
  • The main role of a library is to organize and provide access to information.
  • Types of Library:
    • Academic Library: serves colleges and universities
    • Public Library: serves cities and towns of all types
    • School Library: serves students from Kindergarten to Grade 12 in specialized environments, such as hospitals, corporations, museums, the military, private business, and the government
  • (Note: Reiterates the header/footer contact details from the source; content here focuses on library roles and types.)

Internet Sources

  • What is an Internet?
    • Internet is a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication protocols. It allows users around the world to share information for various purposes.
    • It has become the best source of information because its vast database will most likely contain any and all information needed at a moment’s notice, giving users ease of access and convenience in their searches.
  • Evaluating Information Found on the Internet: (Skills in determining the reliability of information)
    1. Check the author. The author’s willingness to be identified is a good indication of reliability.
    2. Check the date of publication or of update. The information may be true but may be unreliable if outdated.
    3. Check for citations. Reliable authors have the discipline of citing sources of their information.
    4. Check the domain or owner of the site or page.
    • .com: commercial
    • .gov: government
    • .net: network
    • .mil: military
    • .edu: education
    • .org: organization
    1. Check the site design and the writing style. Credible sources take time to make their information accessible and easy to comprehend.
  • When assessing online information, consider these aspects to determine credibility: (list summarized from the source)

Classifications of Media and Information Sources

  • It is useful to categorize sources as primary, secondary, or tertiary to understand the difference in proximity to the original incident or event; the closer to the source, the more credible the source.
  • Primary Sources
    • A primary source is the source closest to the original event. This includes new ideas, new findings, or first-hand accounts.
    • Characteristics: immediate, first-hand accounts; not altered or modified yet; original thinking from the author.
    • Examples:
    • An original letter
    • An original diary or journal
    • Original notes from an experiment or piece of research
    • A novel, poem, or play
    • An artwork, theatrical performance or musical score or performance
    • A literary critique based on a poem, play or novel
    • A history book based on primary historical sources
    • A scientific report based on primary experimental notes
  • Secondary Sources
    • Build on what the primary source has started.
    • Describe, summarize, or discuss information originally presented in the primary sources.
    • May refer to same topic with the primary source but include others’ interpretation and analysis.
    • Examples:
    • A journal article reviewing a number of different approaches (secondary sources) to a subject
    • A book of readings presenting different perspectives on the subject matter you are studying
    • A textbook reviewing and interpreting a number of scientific discoveries, experiments, or approaches
  • Tertiary Sources
    • Usually based on a range of secondary sources.
    • Distillation and collection of primary and secondary sources; organize and combine the primary and the secondary sources.
    • Examples:
    • A bibliography, textbooks, dictionaries, encyclopedias, biographical works, magazines, literary criticisms such as journal articles
    • A journal article reviewing a number of different approaches (secondary sources) to a subject
    • A book of readings presenting different perspectives on the subject matter

Attribution and Data Triangulation

  • Attribution and triangulation are methods to evaluate information.
  • Attribution: identification of the source of information (Is the source known? Is the source credible and reputable?)
  • Data triangulation: finding two or more sources for the same information (Are the sources scholarly, academic, or reputable? How many different quality sources are saying the same thing? Are the facts verifiable?)
  • Researchers and journalists build and protect their credibility by citing as many reliable sources and verifiable facts as possible.
  • Go over the five criteria for evaluating sources and ask yourself how many of these you actually consider before accepting information as reliable and credible.

Criteria in Evaluating Sources

  • Five criteria for evaluating sources: 55 criteria: Currency, Authority, Coverage, Objectivity, Accuracy.
  • Currency
    • Check the date of publication. Ideas and concepts should be relevant and consistent with the most recent information on the topic.
    • Make it a habit to check the date and look for newer editions or updates.
    • Sources must be recent and up-to-date.
  • Authority
    • The information must come from an author or organization with authority or expertise on the topic.
    • The writer should have the appropriate academic qualifications, experience, and publication history.
  • Coverage
    • The source should cover a variety of sources (primary and secondary) to provide breadth of ideas.
    • If needed, be able to make an informed choice of a position you are satisfied with.
  • Objectivity
    • The source should present factual information.
    • Opinions, if any, should be well supported by facts.
    • Be wary of propaganda and biased materials.
  • Accuracy
    • The sources of information should be identified and verifiable.
    • The methodology used in the analysis should be clearly identified.
    • Determine if the data and content are verifiable and if the source is comprehensive.
  • References cited in the material include:
    • Aboga, F. and Agapay, R., (Second printing, 1st edition). Media and Information Literacy: Transforming Society Through Student Empowerment, TechFactors Inc., 2018
    • Alagaran, J. R. Q. Media and Information Literacy: Empowering the Discerning Audiences. Quezon City: Abiva Publishing House, Inc, 2017
    • Cantor, O.L. Media and Information Literacy. Quezon City: Vibal Group, Inc., 2016
    • Magpile, C. Media and Information Literacy: Enhancing Education through Effective Communication. Quezon City: Inteligente Publishing, Inc., 2016
    • (Additional citation lines are included in the source material and indicate publication years and publishers.)

References

  • Aboga, F. and Agapay, R. (Second printing, 1st edition). Media and Information Literacy: Transforming Society Through Student Empowerment. TechFactors Inc., 2018.
  • Alagaran, J. R. Q. Media and Information Literacy: Empowering the Discerning Audiences. Quezon City: Abiva Publishing House, Inc., 2017.
  • Cantor, O.L. Media and Information Literacy. Quezon City: Vibal Group, Inc., 2016.
  • Magpile, C. Media and Information Literacy: Enhancing Education through Effective Communication. Quezon City: Inteligente Publishing, Inc., 2016.
  • Additional authors/editors and publication details are listed in the source material as part of the course readings.