Using information sources responsibly is a fundamental digital literacy skill. It involves understanding legal rights, ethical obligations, and strategies for evaluating the credibility of sources.
Safe use of information sources refers to the ethical and legal practices of accessing, evaluating, and utilizing information while:
Copyright is a legal right that grants the creator of an original work exclusive rights to its use and distribution, usually for a limited time.
A Creative Commons (CC) license allows creators to grant others permission to use their work under specific conditions they define (e.g., attribution required, non-commercial use only), while retaining copyright.
Plagiarism is the act of using someone else's work, ideas, or words without proper acknowledgment, presenting them as your own.
| Type | Description |
|---|---|
| Direct plagiarism | Copying text word-for-word without quotation marks or citation |
| Paraphrasing without citation | Rewording someone's idea without crediting them |
| Self-plagiarism | Reusing your own previously submitted work without disclosure |
Citations serve three key purposes:
Common citation formats include APA, MLA, and Chicago style.
Not all online information is trustworthy. Use the following criteria to evaluate a source:
| Criterion | What to Check |
|---|---|
| Authority | Is the author qualified? What are their credentials? |
| Currency | Is the information up to date? When was it published? |
| Accuracy | Is the information supported by evidence? Can it be verified? |
| Purpose | Why was this published? To inform, sell, or persuade? |
| Domain | .edu and .gov domains are generally more credible than .com or .biz |
Tip: Cross-reference information across multiple independent reputable sources to confirm accuracy.
| Reliable Sources | Unreliable Sources |
|---|---|
| Peer-reviewed journals | Anonymous blogs |
| Government websites (.gov) | Social media posts |
| Educational institutions (.edu) | Clickbait articles |
| Established news organizations | Sites with no author or date |
When AI systems are used to curate, filter, or generate information, the values and interests of different stakeholders can conflict and affect outcomes.
Stakeholders include:
Understanding these conflicts helps users critically evaluate AI-generated or AI-curated information.