Assignment #8B

In the Meszaros’ reading, the concept of “Questioning Authority”  means in academia there is an underlying hierarchy of authority figures where faculty such as professors are seen as more authoritative than librarians when it comes to research.  This concept creates a problem for the faculty, librarians, and students involved.  The reading points out how bizarre, but commonplace, it is for undergraduates to turn to faculty and peers for resourceful information regarding research than to seek help from librarians.  However, students don’t listen to their professors because they believe the information they convey, they do it because professors grade their work.   Meszaro states, “To be sure, faculty may be recognized by their peers as cognitive authorities, but that recognition does not necessarily entail recognition by novices.”  Young adults tend to question the credibility of faculty because they are dualists or multiplists.  Students don’t realize that librarians are trained and educated in research and that they can be helpful, they think opinions can be valid, and don’t feel the need to see supporting evidence.  Meszaros thinks the solution to the concept is for librarians to understand students attitudes and perceptions of knowledge, expertise, and cognitive authority, and to help faculty teach students more beneficial ways to conduct research.