Misinformation [1] is factually incorrect information that does not cite or accurately represent credible sources or facts; instead, it uses sources with no supporting evidence (i.e. personal opinions).
This may mislead and influence political or ideological views, leading to poor decisions in politics, healthcare, and the economy. Misinformation is often associated with fake news [2], and although it may be spread with malicious intent, it can sometimes represent satire or comedy.
Without the proper knowledge, it is hard to judge the accuracy of new information. Thus, learning how to check the reliability of the information source is key. Information from people lacking appropriate credentials or subject expertise can often be misleading.
Scientific papers are reviewed by subject experts before publication (peer-reviewed [3]) and thus, are considered reliable sources of information. However, in order to be appreciated, science needs to be conveyed accurately and in an understandable manner to benefit people, increase social trust and public engagement.
STEMcognito is a science communication initiative created by scientists to diffuse information created by experts, and offer people reliable, transparent, and unbiased information and education. Therefore, we only publish videos originating from experts in their respective subject fields.
Our team validates the authors’ credentials and affiliations and verifies the information accuracy of each video. In case of doubts, our team consults external experts for professional advice. Hosted videos can also be reported to the STEMcognito team, should they be seen to contain potentially unreliable content.
