Macdonald-Kelce Library Blog

Critical Thinking and the Library

Assessing what you read online can be incredibly frustrating if we remember to do it at all. Many of us get our news from secondhand sources such as social media sites or viral memes created by... who knows! We often don't think to fact check what we consume because it seems so hard to do.

It may not be very easy or fun to use critical thinking skills while doom scrolling, but this is how rampant misinformation and lies circulate. We stumble into believing conspiracy theories because we don't take the time to dig a bit deeper or give in to grifters who mainly want us to buy their wares. Everyone is vulnerable, yes, even you and me. 

Here is where the library can help!

We offer in depth guides to help you begin to think about where your news is coming from. Is that cool quote you saw on TikTok is actually attributed to Einstein?  Can ChatGPT write a clear factually reliable paper for you (short answer: no)?

Here are some great places to start:

Critical Thinking and the Library

"Fake News" & Misinformation

News Literacy for First Year Experience and Spartan Studies Students

Interested? 💡 --> Come to our ADLC Event: Critical Thinking Workshop, Thursday, Sep 5, 4PM, Advanced Digital Literacy Center, TECH Building <-- 💡

You will undoubtably encounter biases in news organizations and other sites online, and your own biases will inform whether you blindly dismiss or accept what you read. Life is complex and sometimes there are no clear answers. By using critical thinking skills, you will have the tools to understand what you are reading and have a more nuanced approach to understanding the media and the internet. 

Need more help? Stop by the Research Help Desk in the library and chat with a librarian.