Informed decision-making about spatial data selection and reliability is a fundamental part of spatial literacy. The proliferation of spatial data on the internet and the large quantity of user-generated data increases thechances of integrating unreliable data into research. This chapter focuses on evaluating spatial data using the Currency, Reliability, Authority, and Purpose (CRAAP) test with additional focus on the importance of Margins of Error (MOE) in American Community Survey (ACS) data. Reviews have shown that the ACS MOE is often overlooked during research or unreported in academic papers, resulting in misleading or invalid results that significantly impact policy and planning.The goals of the decision-making process in selecting existing data include: finding information that is most relevant to the research question; gaining a comprehensive understanding of available data and what it represents; comparing similar datasets; planning strategies for processing, integrating, and using data that are not a perfect match for project needs; and, ultimately, determining if a meaningful conclusion can be adequately derived from it.The CRAAP Test is a flexible and general framework for evaluating information resources in many disciplines and venues. To focus on specific concepts relevant to data capture in GIS using the CRAAP Test, we expand the basic concepts of the test and examine how they can be used to evaluate data sources in GIS.This activity is associated with a chapter in Spatial Literacy in Public Health: Faculty-Librarian Teaching Collaborations (ACRL, 2024).

Thinking Outside the Box is an in-class research exercise designed to facilitate students' evaluation of information found in subscription databases and obtained through generative artificial intelligence tools by providing a series of questions for them to answer. For this exercise, the applicable frames from the Framework for Information Literacy include: "authority is constructed and contextual," "information creation as process," and "searching as strategic exploration."

A visual representation of the publishing process and how access is provided that includes what free labor is contributed to the process and how publishing companies make astronomical profits from freely given materials

Set in a broader internship program as a key component of an archival program and following a backwards design approach, interns (undergraduate students) develop complimentary archival exhibits in both physical and digital environments. Students are also tasked with anticipating their information needs. The supervisor draws on the Scholarship as Conversation Frame of the ACRL Framework to encourage conceptualizing both the archives/special collections/library environment they are in as a place of active conversation, and as a basis for encouraging reflection on the information component of their internship.

This Worksheet is based on Mike Caulfield’s S.I.F.T. Method. Students will first need to have a familiarity with that. I highly recommend the “S.I.F.T. For Teachers” video playlist on his YouTube channel and/or his website.This activity would probably take most of a class period. Could also be done online via a Discussion.

List of nearly two dozen short (~5 min) videos that deal with various topics related to Misinformation & News/Media Literacy. Prompt Questions included for each video. Great to use for a class activity/assignment.

Tabs/Topics: Categories of Misinformation, Evaluating Information, Media Bias Charts, Classroom Activities, Videos, Podcasts, Infographics, More Resources

Reports from leading organizations on Misinformation & Media/News Literacy

This is a brainstorming activity in which students work in groups that each spend time (approx. 2-3 min.) at 3 different stations. 

These materials accompany the book chapter "Business Ethics and Intellectual Property: Barbie & Bratz” from Teaching Business Information Literacy published by ACRL Press.The document consists of 2 handouts that should be separated for the instruction. I've placed both a .docx and a .pdf version.