Evaluating Information during COVID-19: Preprints, retractions, rumors and more

What's in a Data Story? Understanding the Basics of Data Storytelling

A one-hour introductory webinar on the fundamentals of effective storytelling using data collected and visualized by librarians for librarians. Data without a story is just a pile of numbers. Data with an effective story becomes an everlasting narrative that people will remember for a long time and without much effort. In this talk, we’ll look at the basic structure of data storytelling and review exemplars both good and bad of data storytelling. No prior knowledge of the topic is required.

PNR Rendezvous: Metrics Toolkit: A Tool for Navigating the Research Metrics Landscape

The Metrics Toolkit is an open access resource aimed at helping researchers, evaluators, and librarians understand and responsibly use research metrics, including bibliometrics and altmetrics. The Toolkit provides evidence-based information about research metrics across disciplines, including how each metric is calculated, where it can be found, and how it should (and should not) be applied. In this PNR Rendezvous, Robin Champieux and Robin Chin Roemer will discuss how it can be used by librarians to facilitate research impact outreach and education efforts, helping authors and…
Date: October 21, 2020

Identifying and Combating Health Misinformation - Health and Medical Information on Wikipedia

The circulation of misinformation online can be damaging to public health. English Wikipedia is the eighth most-visited website in the U.S. How accurate and authoritative are health information articles on Wikipedia? Join this webinar to sharpen your information literacy skills with a walk through of the inner workings of Wikipedia. This webinar gives special attention to health and medical information articles, fringe theories, and controversial topics covered in the news. You can gain an insiders’ perspective on the editorial process of Wikipedia to confidently evaluate the quality of…
Date: October 14, 2020

NLM Drug Information Resources

Connections: Virtual Anti-loneliness Programs in the time of COVID-19

Connections, Loneliness, and social isolation are rampant in America, according to many experts. The Center for Disease Control calls loneliness an epidemic and says it has a higher morbidity rate than obesity (about the same as smoking two packs of cigarettes a day). Studies have shown that loneliness cuts across all age, social, race, and economic demographics. We have many virtual friends, but few in reality. COVID-19 has exacerbated this problem. While many of the programs outlined are designed for in-person, there are ways public libraries can help combat loneliness even in a remote…
Date: October 7, 2020

Effective Health Communication and Health Literacy: Understanding the Connection

Are you curious as to why health communication and health literacy are connected? Do you want to be more effective in your written and verbal health written communication? This introductory class to health literacy and health communication will help you understand and raise your awareness of the complexity of these concepts. We will define health literacy, explore how communication and health literacy affects how a person makes health care decisions, discuss disparities in health literacy, and go over best practices for effective health communication. The class will introduce participants…
Date: October 6, 2020

Correction of Health Misinformation on Social Media

The speed with which information can spread on social media is astounding. In some cases, this allows for important information to be communicated quickly to massive audiences. However, misinformation can spread just as quickly as accurate information. What can you do to slow its spread? This presentation covers research on the correction of misinformation on social media. It also discusses misinformation on social media in general, how and why to correct it, and best practices for doing so.

CiteNLM Wikipedia Edit a Thon Training - September 25, 2020

Join the Network of the National Library of Medicine for the Fall 2020 #CiteNLM Edit-a-thon as we add citations to Wikipedia articles on maternal & child health using trusted National Library of Medicine resources LactMed, MedlinePlus, PubMed, and more. In this hands-on training, attendees will gain an overview of: - The importance of Wikipedia as a health information resource - The ongoing #CiteNLM Wikipedia project - How to participate in the #CiteNLM Wikipedia Edit-a-thon - Hosting a virtual edit-a-thon for your community - Adding citations from trusted National Library of Medicine…
Date: September 25, 2020

Mental Health Awareness During COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has had a widespread, profound effect on society as a whole, but certain population groups are specifically tasked with social isolation and loneliness. This presentation raises awareness about the mental and emotional effects during these unusual times and offers evidence-based health information to help older adults cope. The presentation is being presented by the All of Us Research Team from the Rush University Medical Center Alzheimer's Disease Center. Rush University is a proud member of the Illinois Precision Medicine Consortium. The Rush Alzheimer’s Disease…
Date: September 23, 2020