Library Guides: Evaluating Information: Why Evaluate?

Being able to critically evaluate information is an essential research skill.

There are many types of information sources available. This guide will help you to evaluate what you find is accurate, relevant and reliable, so that you can enhance the quality of your academic work and achieve the best possible grades.

Use the side menu to explore the contents of this guide.

Mis, Dis & Mal Information

Information may be false or even harmful, but not all forms of misleading content are the same. Understanding the differences helps you respond critically and responsibly.

What is?	Example
Misinformation is 'False or inaccurate information shared without intent to deceive'	Sharing outdated COVID-19 advice thinking it's still current.
Disinformation is 'Fake information shared deliberately to mislead'	A fake social media account spreading false information.
Malinformation is 'Information based on truth (though it may be exaggerated or presented out of context) shared maliciously to attack an idea, individual, organisation, group, country, or other entity'	Sharing a real photo of a protest but falsely claiming it occurred in a different country to mislead viewers.

What is?

Example

Misinformation is

'False or inaccurate information shared without intent to deceive'

Sharing outdated COVID-19 advice thinking it's still current.

Disinformation is

'Fake information shared deliberately to mislead'

A fake social media account spreading false information.

Malinformation is

'Information based on truth (though it may be exaggerated or presented out of context) shared maliciously to attack an idea, individual, organisation, group, country, or other entity'

Sharing a real photo of a protest but falsely claiming it occurred in a different country to mislead viewers.

Licence

This content is licensed to Victoria University under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Acknowledgement of Country

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Ancestors, Elders and families of the Kulin Nation (Melbourne campuses), the Eora Nation (Sydney campus) and the Yulara/Yugarapul and Turrbal Nation (Brisbane campus) who are the traditional owners of University land. As we share our own knowledge practices within the University, may we pay respect to the deep knowledge embedded within the Aboriginal community and recognise their ownership of Country.

We acknowledge that the land on which we meet, learn, and share knowledge is a place of age-old ceremonies of celebration, initiation and renewal, and that the Traditional Owners living culture and practices have a unique role in the life of this region. Learn more from our Moondani Balluk Indigenous Academic Unit.