<ul><li>Disinformation spreads like wildfire in social media</li><li>When it comes to news reporting, sometimes it is more important for journalists to be fast than accurate</li></ul>

The problem with nowadays news

One promising approach might be the utilization of scientific tools and mindset."We all have gut feelings and biases that sometimes cloud our judgment. But scientific thinking offers us tools for evaluating information in a rational way" - Emma Frans

How to tackle it ?

Remember, this may be true, but it also may be false, or something in between.

1. Take things with a pinch of salt

<ul><li>Do they stand (to agree) to profit from what they say?</li><li>Are they affiliated with an organization that could be swaying them?</li><li>What makes the writer/speaker qualified to comment on the topic?</li><li>What statements have they made in the past?</li></ul>

2. Find out who is making the claim

<ul><li>Halo Effect - a cognitive bias making our feeling towards someone affect how we judge their claims</li><li>Solution - question how you would consider the claim if it came from someone else</li></ul>

3. Beware of the Halo effect

<ul><li>Can the sources be traced? Are they reliable? Is the conclusion based on a rational evaluation of the information (That's why reliable content should always have references)?</li><li>Remember to consider all of the research on a topic before deciding which information to retain.</li></ul>

4. Look at the evidence

<ul><li>Confirmation Bias - we tend to notice stories/facts fitting what we already/want to believe/expect.</li><li>Solution - construct a well-rounded information diet by maintaining its variety, and you should not disregard the information that goes against whatever opinions you have in advance.</li></ul>

Beware of the tendency to Cherry-Pick information

<ul><li>Remember, correlation does not equal causation.</li></ul>

Correlation vs Causation

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How to Read the News Like a Scientist

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