Results of a course on news analysis in social networks and epistemological beliefs

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.19136/etie.a7n13.6298

Keywords:

fake news, disinformation, epistemology, social networks, higher education

Abstract

The Internet is currently the most relevant source of information; however, it is necessary to know how to distinguish news whose content may be malicious, misleading, or false. Much has been emphasized on the skills to analyze fake news from its structure, hand in hand with media literacy, but little work has been done on the psychological variables of the participants that can prevent them from accepting fake news without critical analysis. In this sense, epistemological beliefs are a variable to be taken into account. In this paper, we analyzed the results of a three-week course of news analysis in social networks on epistemological beliefs, including topics on cognitive biases and media literacy. Fifty-eight higher education students and 22 graduate students participated. Subsequently, we verified the change in epistemological beliefs by applying the Internet-Specific Epistemological Beliefs Questionnaire in two measurements, pretest, and posttest, in two editions of the course. As a result, we detected statistically significant changes in two components that favored the participant's perspective as a knowledge builder and the Internet as a questionable source. We concluded that it is necessary to continue with this model of instruction to empower news readers to make better decisions regarding the information they receive.

Author Biographies

  • José Manuel Meza Cano, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

    Profesor Titular. Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, UNAM.

  • Edith González Santiago, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

    Profesora de la Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, UNAM

  • Mariana Cañizales Espinosa, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

    Profesora, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, UNAM

  • Mario Ernesto Morales Ruiz, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

    Profesor, Facultad de Estudios Superiores Iztacala, UNAM

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Published

2024-07-01

How to Cite

Meza Cano, J. M., González Santiago, E., Cañizales Espinosa, M., & Morales Ruiz, M. E. (2024). Results of a course on news analysis in social networks and epistemological beliefs. Emerging Trends in Education, 7(13), 103-116. https://doi.org/10.19136/etie.a7n13.6298