Information helps in plotting our courses or routes in life. In modern media, an overflowing amount of information are now within reach. We have the ability to access, analyze and create media using our freedom of expression. We must learn to work any information that is available to us in our own unique ways to make the world better. There are three classifications of information based on type, provider and source.Â
The four types of information are scholarly, professional/trade, entertainment/popular, and opinion. Scholarly information is information drawn from the research of field experts. Scholarly sources must be peer-reviewed before they can be published. Professional/Trade information includes current news and trends about a specific industry presented to experts and enthusiasts by someone with knowledge in the field. Trade journals do not have to be peer-reviewed but they are exposed to a higher level of scrutiny. Entertainment/Popular information is information meant for the general population. People who write and produce on this type of information use some entertaining hooks in order to catch attention or to be easily understood. Opinion information are based on the viewpoint, judgement, or statement that are not conclusive. Two or more people may come up with opposing conclusions based on same variable facts and information, but the disagreement may be sufficiently resolved when new facts or arguments are presented.
The four providers of information are academic institutions, government agencies, private sector, and private individuals. Academic institutions are schools, colleges, and universities that confer academic degree. They are dedicated to education and research. Government agencies are organizations under the government that are responsible for the administration of a specific function. They gather and disseminate information not for profit but to build a well-informed citizenry. Private sector includes businesses, organizations and other players in the economy that are not owned or operated by the government. They provide goods and services for profit. Private individuals are those who do not represent another person, corporation, or group. A private individual must be motivated to tell the truth, to help, and to do the right thing when giving information.
The three sources of information are primary, secondary, and tertiary. Primary sources are sources, simply put, firsthand account. These brings us as close as possible to the event, the subject, the original idea or the findings of a scientific study. Some examples are diaries, interviews, letters, speeches, photographs, etc. Secondary sources are anything that comments, analyzes, or tackles a primary source. Some examples are textbooks, biographies, and critical reviews. Tertiary sources are sources that refer to a primary or secondary source. It gives an overview of the topic, but rarely contains original material. Some examples are dictionaries, handbooks, tables, and encyclopedias.
Categorizing information is important because it helps us in identifying which type, provider, or source of information did it come from. We need the critical abilities and communicative skills to effectively access, analyze, and evaluate information. These skills will help us make informed decisions and form opinions that can impact our daily lives and the communities we live in, as well as minimize risks associated with the very same technologies, such as security, safety, and privacy.
