ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the processing of provenance information in the context of the public engagement with science. It discusses the several conceptual and terminological ideas that provide a foundation for a theory of processing provenance information. The chapter explains the benefits and the challenges non-experts face when finding and using scientific information. It argues that processing provenance information is necessary for citizens to benefit from the wealth of scientific insights in modern societies. The chapter provides an overview of empirical findings on—primarily—students' sourcing behavior. It also discusses the implications for theory, research, and practice. Goldman and Scardamalia have suggested that distinguishing between information resource and source would add clarity to research on multiple document comprehension. To summarise the gist of what is meant by sourcing and source information, people suggest using the notion of the provenance of the information.
