Authority is Constructed and Contextual
Information resources reflect their creators’ expertise and credibility and are evaluated based on the information need and the context in which the information will be used. Authority is constructed in that various communities may recognize different types of authority. It is contextual in that the information need may help to determine the level of authority required.
From How Info Works:
- Who we trust as an expert depends on why we need the information & who’s doing the trusting.
- Authority exists because a community gives it to someone. Beware: sometimes authority comes mostly from “privilege” that can drown out other voices.
- Good thinkers consider information skeptically, but keep an open mind.
- An expert can use any medium to communicate their ideas. Information is increasingly built socially, and formats will continue to change.
From the Framework:
"Novice learners may need to rely on basic indicators of authority, such as type of publication or author credentials, where experts recognize schools of thought or discipline-specific paradigms."
Strategy for Developing Authority is Constructed and Contextual: SIFT
Knowledge Practice:
Learners who are developing their information literate abilities
- use research tools and indicators of authority to determine the credibility of sources, understanding the elements that might temper this credibility;
Disposition:
Learners who are developing their information literate abilities
- develop awareness of the importance of assessing content with a skeptical stance and with a self-awareness of their own biases and worldview;
CC BY 4.0- Original Source Mike Caulfield The SIFT Method - Evaluating Resources and Misinformation - Library Guides at UChicago
