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THREAD: "Do your own research" - this is one of the most misused statements today. #scicomm #scienceupfirst #covid19 #misinformation
Why do I say that? Because countless anti-vaxxers, flat-earth believers, and conspiracy theorists use this statement to imply, "Don't believe in the medical experts and scientists, instead do your own google and blog search".
A biased google / blog search on wellness-woo and conspiracy websites is not "research". In fact, the correct terminology for this is cherry picking - choosing to read only what you want to hear or what you want the conclusion to be.
It is important to be vigilant and get your information from trusted sources where people conduct vigorous research and synthesize information from years of expertise.
Ask yourself these questions when you read an article or watch a video next time:
1. Does the person talking about this topic have the necessary expertise in that field?
2. Does this person have any agenda or personal gain from tipping the scales?
1. Does the person talking about this topic have the necessary expertise in that field?
2. Does this person have any agenda or personal gain from tipping the scales?
3. Is this person unanimously trusted and revered by other experts in their field?
It is always good to ask questions and to look at a situation from different perspectives. However, it's important to realize that there is a lot of misinformation and it takes a keen eye to identify it.
