Evaluate information
Evaluating information involves critically analysing the content, methodology, resources, and context to determine if it is credible, reliable and relevant.
To do this effectively, you need to:
Sift through misleading information or roadblocks
Identify credible sources of information
Use tools to evaluate information for accuracy and reliability
Why do I need to evaluate information?
Developing the ability to evaluate information is a crucial skill for both study and everyday life. The sources you use in assessments, study, and work should be based on evidence and facts, not just opinions or assumptions.
Misleading information
The internet makes it easy for people all over the world to find information in just a few keystrokes. This also makes it easy to spread false or misleading information. Mis-, Dis- and Mal-information can lead to disastrous consequences for individuals and society. It can “pollute” our information environment at many levels: politically, economically, commercially, or simply personally.
Click on the flip cards below to learn more:
For further information on the potential consequences of misinformation and how you can take steps to counter it, check out our Misinformation guide.
Misleading information and AI
It's important to remember that AI tools such as OpenAI ChatGPT and Google Gemini create content based on patterns they’ve learned and not through actual understanding.
These tools can give you information that can be inaccurate, nonsensical, biased or superficial. At times, genAI tools can hallucinate responses. That's why it's always a good idea to check their responses carefully, especially when the answers are important.
For more information, check out our GenAI limitations module.