Information is a very interesting topic. We shape our model of the world
based on the data we collect. The internet is a great tool to share
data, but it also amplifies the noise.
There's a lot of misinformation, on the internet - especially on social
media. I think truth comes from objective data and transparent research.
Not TikTok. Not Instagram. And not even YouTube. I often catch myself
spreading information that I've collected from these sites without
disclosing the source. That's how misinformation begins.
Rigorously conducted research is the closest thing to a source of truth
other than the source of truth itself. The problem is that most people
have low research literacy. This means difficult locating,
understanding, interpreting, or evaluating research papers.
- Locating: Finding relevant research in the first place. This involves knowing where and how to search.
- Understanding: Grasping what the paper literally says. This includes decoding terminology, following the study design, and knowing what the authors did.
- Interpreting: Making sense of what the results actually mean. This includes understanding the implications of the findings, what the numbers indicate, and how the results fit into the bigger picture.
- Evaluating: Judging the quality of the research. This includes checking whether the methods are sound, whether the conclusions are justified, and whether there are biases or limitations.
Low research literacy discourages people from consuming information
directly from research output. So people resort to other, more engaging,
sources of content, like the previously mentioned sites, as well as X,
Truth Social, Reddit, and even Snapchat. This must contribute to
misinformation.
Misinformation is the spread of false or inaccurate information. It's an
issue because without credible data, our model of the world is flawed,
leading to poor decision-making. At a macro level, it can lead to
nation-wide divides and global conflicts.
One way to combat misinformation is by making research output directly
more accessible and engaging for everyday people, like me. That is,
improving research literacy for all.