Document Type
Article
Publication Date
10-1-2017
Publication Title
Portal: Libraries and the Academy
Volume
17
Issue
4
First page number:
721
Last page number:
737
Abstract
The developmentalist conception of information’s value makes learning the central consideration for evaluating information. Following philosopher Richard Kraut, this article argues that developmentalism provides an important complement to prevalent methods of teaching the evaluation of information. These methods emphasize (a) trustworthiness—for example, CRAAP (currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose) and CARS (credibility, accuracy, reasonableness, and support) and (b) the use of information in an argument—for example, Joseph Bizup’s BEAM (background, exhibit, argument, method). The neglected link between evaluation and learning is crucial for early college researchers; otherwise, students can easily just find sources to “back up” their existing opinions. Learning-centered evaluation also challenges students to question how selective exposure influences their media habits. The article includes suggested applications for information literacy instruction in first-year composition.
Disciplines
Higher Education | Library and Information Science
File Format
application/pdf
File Size
124 Kb
Language
English
Repository Citation
Lenker, M.
(2017).
Developmentalism: Learning as the Basis for Evaluating Information.
Portal: Libraries and the Academy, 17(4),
721-737.
https://digitalscholarship.unlv.edu/lib_articles/573
Comments
This downloadable article also includes a downloadable table titled "Methods for Teaching Evaluation of Information". The table is in pdf format; file size 50 Kb.