#4514. Verifying online information: Development and validation of a self-report scale

August 2026publication date
Proposal available till 16-05-2025
4 total number of authors per manuscript0 $

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Journal’s subject area:
Sociology and Political Science;
Education;
Business and International Management;
Human Factors and Ergonomics;
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Abstract:
Misinformation endangers democracy, science, and rational behaviour. Verifying information and recognizing misinformation are critical skills, but there are few measures of these abilities. To help close this gap, we developed and validated the Verifying Online Information (VOI) self-report scale, which assesses individual differences in online information verification. Two study samples were collected through Amazon Mechanical Turk (N = 958). In Study 1, exploratory factor analysis suggested a 22-item scale (VOI-22; ? = 0.95) with two underlying factors: direct and indirect verification of online information. In Study 2, the bifactor model was affirmed using confirmatory factor analysis. Convergent validity was demonstrated with the positive factor Need for Cognition, and discriminant validity was demonstrated with social desirability. VOI will allow researchers and educators to evaluate behaviours associated with verifying online information, making it a critical tool in the fight against misinformation.
Keywords:
digital Literacy; Fake news; Information literacy; Media literacy; Misinformation; Social media

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