BIOL 203: Scientific Information Literacy and Communication

For this week, we'll discuss how to critically assess sources using tools like the Media Bias Fact Check site for science and psuedoscience and read the Surgeon General's report on misinformation. 

To get us started, what are the stakes for when scientific misinformation gets out into the world? 

Read and watch more about lateral reading. 

Directions: Identify who’s responsible for the information. Open up a new tab and look up information about the website or author on another credible sites (e.g., Wikipedia, Media Bias Fact Check) and find out more about their reputation. Would you consider them credible or not?

 Choose a known pseudoscience (see a list on Media Bias Fact Check or Wikipedia for ideas) and find a credible source that debunks a pseudoscientific claim.