Skip to Main Content

Election Disinformation and Misinformation: A Critical Resource

Disinformation and misinformation are significant challenges in the current media landscape. This guide is designed to help you navigate the complexities of election-related information.

Introduction

This page recommends books, articles, and reports to dive deeper into the topics of election disinformation, misinformation, and election integrity.

Books

  • Kauffman, L. A. (2018). How to read a protest: The art of organizing and resistance. University of California Press. https://doi.org/10.1525/9780520972209

Kauffman explores the history and tactics of protest movements, offering insights into how misinformation can sometimes be used to manipulate such movements.

  • O’Connor, C., & Weatherall, J. O. (2019). The misinformation age: How false beliefs spread. Yale University Press. https://www.degruyter.com/isbn/9780300241006

This book explores how false beliefs, including political misinformation, are perpetuated and spread through networks, focusing on social, political, and scientific contexts.

  • Zimdars, M., & McLeod, K. (2020). Fake news: Understanding media and misinformation in the digital age. The MIT Press. https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&scope=site&db=nlebk&db=nlabk&AN=2361135

A collection of essays on the concept of “fake news” and its implications for politics, media, and democracy. This book provides a broad view of misinformation in the digital age.

Articles

  • Buschman, J. (2019). Good news, bad news, and fake news. Journal of Documentation, 75(1), 213–228. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-05-2018-0074

Buschman examines the complex media landscape where news, propaganda, and disinformation intermingle. This article analyzes the dynamics of "fake news" in both traditional and digital platforms, exploring the implications for democratic discourse. By grounding his discussion in both historical and modern contexts, Buschman outlines the responsibilities of media producers and consumers in navigating this complex information environment.

  • Ma, L. (2024). The role of scholarly communication in combating disinformation and misinformation. Journal of Education for Library and Information Science, 65(1), 92–99. https://doi.org/10.3138/jelis-2022-0017

Ma discusses how scholarly communication channels can be harnessed to combat the growing challenges posed by misinformation and disinformation. By focusing on the role of libraries, academic institutions, and open access publishing, Ma outlines strategies for promoting critical thinking and reliable information dissemination in educational contexts. This article offers actionable recommendations for librarians and educators alike.

  • Nilsson, T. (2023). Disinformation and echo chambers: How disinformation circulates on social media through identity-driven controversies. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, 42(1), 18–35. https://doi.org/10.1177/07439156221103852

Nilsson explores how disinformation spreads within echo chambers, where identity-driven controversies fuel the dissemination of falsehoods. Focusing on social media platforms, this article analyzes the mechanisms by which disinformation capitalizes on user identities and affiliations. The study highlights the challenges for marketers and policymakers in managing the spread of disinformation and its effects on public opinion.

  • Pathak, A., Srihari, R. K., & Nihit, N. (2021). Disinformation: Analysis and identification. Computational and Mathematical Organization Theory, 27(3), 357–375. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10588-021-09336-x

This article provides a computational framework for analyzing and identifying disinformation in online environments. Pathak, Srihari, and Nihit employ advanced algorithms and machine learning techniques to detect patterns in disinformation. By breaking down the technical components of these methods, the authors propose effective solutions for organizations seeking to mitigate the spread of false information.

  • Rubin, V. L. (2019). Disinformation and misinformation triangle. Journal of Documentation, 75(5), 1013–1034. https://doi.org/10.1108/JD-12-2018-0209

Rubin introduces the concept of the "disinformation and misinformation triangle," offering a structured framework for understanding the relationship between various forms of false information. The article dissects the differences between misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation, and explains how each operates in the modern information ecosystem. Rubin provides essential insights into the motivations behind the spread of false information and its effects on society.

  • Wu, Y., Ngai, E. W. T., Wu, P., & Wu, C. (2022). Fake news on the internet: A literature review, synthesis and directions for future research. Internet Research, 32(5), 1662–1699. https://doi.org/10.1108/INTR-05-2021-0294

This comprehensive literature review synthesizes existing research on fake news, highlighting the theoretical frameworks and methodologies used to study its spread online. Wu and colleagues provide a thorough analysis of current trends in fake news research, identifying gaps in the literature and proposing directions for future investigation. This article is an excellent starting point for those looking to deepen their understanding of how fake news impacts digital platforms.