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Cited by 2Misinformation and Its ImpactsLibrary Science and Information LiteracyEducational Strategies and Epistemologies

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Epistemic Vaccination: Computational Disinformation, Inoculation Theory, and Critical Information Literacy

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O'Hara, Ian·2024·Journal of New Librarianship
DOI 10.33011/newlibs/17/12
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Abstract

The rapid adoption of the open internet and social media technologies for information seeking and sharing has led to the utilization of these technologies as vehicles for the spread of computational propaganda, disinformation, and misinformation. Scholars have investigated multiple avenues to combat the cognitive failure that results in acceptance and sharing of widespread misinformation. The most promising identified thus far is a psychological concept known as inoculation theory. This method can be conceptualized as a misinformation vaccine that can increase critical evaluation of newly encountered information and thereby increase the probability that this information will not be cognitively integrated and subsequently further shares within an individual's information network. This review aims to thoroughly discuss and synthesize the literature on disinformation and how inoculation theory fits within already utilized pedagogical paradigms as a potential antidote for this pertinent issue through the lens of critical information literacy.

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Metadata

Authors
O'Hara, I.
Affiliations
University of Scranton (US)
Corresponding author
O'Hara, Ian
ORCID
O'Hara, Ian
Venue
Journal of New Librarianship
Publisher
University of Colorado at Boulder
Published
2024-10-23
Volume
9
Issue
2
Pages
85-100
ISSN
2471-3880 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.33011/newlibs/17/12
OpenAlex
W4403716106
Cited by
2
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 1
FWCI
1.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of New Librarianship (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Misinformation and Its Impacts
  • Social Sciences › Library and Information Sciences › Library Science and Information Literacy
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Educational Strategies and Epistemologies
Keywords
inoculation theory, misinformation, disinformation, computational propaganda, critical information literacy, information sharing, critical evaluation of information, social media, information seeking

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