Information and Media Literacy Flashcards

A student is writing a research paper on the effects of climate change and finds an article on a website. The article claims that climate change is a hoax and is supported by several personal blog posts. Which of the following is the MOST important step the student should take to evaluate the credibility of this source?

Answer: Cross-reference the claims with reputable scientific sources, such as peer-reviewed journals or government agency reports.

The most reliable way to verify information is to cross-reference it with multiple, authoritative sources. Reputable sources like peer-reviewed journals, academic institutions, and government agencies (e.g., NASA, NOAA) base their findings on rigorous scientific research and data, making them ideal for fact-checking claims. Website design, social media popularity, and author passion are not reliable indicators of factual accuracy.

Under the 'fair use' doctrine of copyright law, a person is generally permitted to use a small portion of a copyrighted work without permission for which of the following purposes?

Answer: Commentary, criticism, or parody.

Fair use allows for the limited use of copyrighted material without permission from the copyright holder for purposes such as criticism, commentary, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research. Creating a commercial product, distributing an entire work, or making extensive copies to avoid purchase are typically violations of copyright.

Which of the following actions contributes to a person's passive digital footprint?

Answer: A website installing a cookie on your browser to track your visit.

A digital footprint is the trail of data you leave online. An active footprint is created when a user deliberately shares information (e.g., posting on social media). A passive footprint is created without the user's active input, such as when websites collect information about visits, IP addresses, and browsing history through cookies.

You are reading a news article about a new city-wide recycling program. The article primarily quotes city officials who praise the program but does not include any comments from residents or waste management experts who might have different perspectives. This is an example of what type of media bias?

Answer: Bias by omission

Bias by omission occurs when a media outlet leaves out one side or important aspects of a story, creating an unbalanced or incomplete picture. By only including the positive viewpoints of city officials and excluding other relevant perspectives, the article fails to provide a comprehensive view of the new program.

What is the most accurate definition of plagiarism?

Answer: Using another person's ideas or words without giving them proper credit.

Plagiarism is the act of presenting someone else's work or ideas as your own without full acknowledgement. Proper citation is the way to avoid plagiarism. Summarizing in your own words is acceptable as long as you still credit the original source of the idea.

Which of the following is the primary reason for citing sources in a research paper or project?

Answer: To give credit to the original authors and allow readers to locate the source material.

The primary purposes of citation are to avoid plagiarism by giving credit to the original creators of ideas and information, and to provide a path for readers to find the original sources themselves to verify the information or learn more. While it adds to the professionalism of a paper, its core function is academic honesty and traceability.