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Friday, September 13, 2013

Information Literacy and the Church: Propaganda and Scholarship


To be 'information literate' means a person knows they need information, knows where to begin their information search, can evaluate the quality of resources found and can apply selective criteria to determine the best possible resources found.   Watching the evening news, reading a book, scanning the headlines or listening to a speech all provide avenues to apply what is called 'media literacy' to the larger field of information literacy (the other literacy is called 'computer or technology literacy').
Indicators of Scholarship
Indicators of Propaganda
Describes the limit of data.
Uses excessive claims of certainty.
Presents accurate descriptions of alternative views.
Uses personal attacks and ridicule.
Presents data that is well-rounded.
Uses emotional appeals.
Encourages debate, discussion and criticism.
Distorts data unfavorable to preferred views.
Settles disputes by use of generally accepted criteria for evaluating data.
Suppresses contradictory views.
Looks for counter-examples.
Suppresses contradictory facts.
Uses language in agreed-on-ways.
Appeals to popular prejudices.
Uses up-to-date information.
Relies on suggestion or negative innuendo.
Admits own ignorance or lack of knowledge when necessary.
Devalues thought and critical appraisal.
Attempts to discuss general laws and principles.
Transforms words to suit aims.
Finds own field/area of investigation difficult and full of holes.
Magnifies or minimizes problems and suggested remedies.
Relies on critical thinking skills.
Presents information and views out-of context.
From Bodi, Sonia. "Scholarship or Propaganda: How Can Librarians Help Undergraduates Tell the Difference?" Journal of Academic Librarianship.21 (1995): 21-25.


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