Ok, ok, I’ll admit it. This might not be the most exciting unit it your book when it comes to linking it to our quest to become competent information consumers and have Super Sonic Should You Believe It Sleuthing Skills. Partly because the most exciting part is still linked to operationalization and conceptualization, which I already previewed.

So, how about this – check this out. PEW doesn’t seem terribly impressed with Americans making big decisions because they “rely on their own research.” Basically did the whole “question of definition“^[1] thing – “The 96% of those in the survey who said they rely on their own research a lot or a little were asked to explain in their own words what they mean by “doing their own research.” In answering this open-ended question, they cited a host of sources that often start – but do not end – with searching on the internet. ” But guess what? After this course you’ll be a SUPER PRO and PEW shouldn’t be concerned about you doing your own research because you’re a Competent Information Consumer^[2]. Also, can’t resist, look at PEW throwing some low-key shade on one of our everyday ways of knowing: “For some, it meant letting their instincts and “gut” inform their decision.”

https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/03/05/most-americans-rely-on-their-own-research-to-make-big-decisions-and-that-often-means-online-searches/