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Session 3 - Information gathering

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Information from the Internet

Most of us have consulted ‘Dr Google’ at some stage and disappeared down a rabbit-hole of data, which often gave us added concerns about our questions rather than an improved understanding of what to do next.

Here are a few questions to ask yourself when you find information on the Internet (or other mass media outlets).

Trustworthy information comes from reliable sources. Government departments, hospitals, universities, and peer-reviewed journal articles are your best options.

At the same time, always wear your ‘critical thinking hat’ – even trusted, reliable sources can accidentally bias your thinking.

The reasons for why people create information may not be the same as the reasons for why you are looking for information.

Be careful about information which seeks to:

  • Persuade – be wary of testimonials or stories of success
  • Promote – be mindful of ethical advertising requirements
  • Entertain – be sceptical about stories of inspiration or triumph over adversity (otherwise known as ‘inspiration porn’).

Search engines and social media organisations use algorithms (i.e. formulas) to filter and personalise the information you receive in your Google search or Facebook feed. The more you search for information about one option, the more you will be led only in that direction. Little information about other possible options will show in your search results. This can bias your thinking.

For example:

  • Availability heuristic – We make decisions based only on the information which we can easily remember.
  • Bandwagon effect – we tend to do or believe things because many other people do or believe the same thing, even if it results in dysfunctional or irrational decisions. This happens in online groups, in workplaces, political parties.


(Cognitive biases are discussed in Session 2).

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