Feature Article: 5 Ways to Grade Information
Published on in Parents PACK
Published on in Parents PACK
The way we get information has changed over the years. Today, we get information whenever we want it. What is being discussed on the news one day is long forgotten by next week. Even who delivers the information has changed. Credentialed media personnel are not the only ones writing the stories. And even organizations historically credited with being reliable sources of information have changed how they deliver messages and from what perspective. While getting information about health conditions or finding answers to questions may seem easier, now you need to more critically evaluate available information. This means building a skill set to sort through all that is presented.
Like other health topics, information about vaccines and vaccine safety is not “immune” to these issues. In fact, there is much disinformation regarding the science and safety of vaccines. With that in mind, the Vaccine Education Center has developed several resources aimed at helping readers sort through vaccine info. The five tips described here can easily be applied more broadly when traversing today’s information environment.
It is important to determine who is delivering the message or story because that will help you determine the reliability of the message as well as assess whether it might be unduly biased.
Ask yourself:
Regardless of whether you are online, reading printed information, or perusing social media, it is important to not only think about who is offering a message, but why they are sharing it.
Ask yourself:
People tend to respond with emotion, so often stories are framed with this in mind. While it is OK for a story to have emotional appeal, it is important to evaluate what takeaways are in the story and whether they are grounded in facts or anecdotes.
Ask yourself:
Most of us have our favorite news shows, but it is important to review stories from multiple sources to get different points of view.
Ask yourself:
Finally, look at the publication, website or post critically to determine its quality.
Ask yourself:
So, the next time you’re scrolling through your news feed or flipping channels, ask yourself some of the questions outlined here. You can also use this printable PDF version. The more you do this, the more second nature it will become. Since we know the amount of information will never decrease, we can rely on this self-check to ensure we’re using good information to make important decisions moving forward.
Categories: Parents PACK Nov. 2018, Feature Article
Materials in this section are updated as new information and vaccines become available. The Vaccine Education Center staff regularly reviews materials for accuracy.
You should not consider the information in this site to be specific, professional medical advice for your personal health or for your family's personal health. You should not use it to replace any relationship with a physician or other qualified healthcare professional. For medical concerns, including decisions about vaccinations, medications and other treatments, you should always consult your physician or, in serious cases, seek immediate assistance from emergency personnel.