Evaluating sources for credibility

Brainstorming and Ideation

Prompt

Evaluate the source [Name of person/source, with role(s) and relevant background, e.g., physician, author, researcher, journalist, year born] for credibility. When evaluating the source for credibility, please do the following: 1. Confirm correct identity (exclude duplicates) 2. Seek corroboration with equivalent sources such as journals, newspapers, research institutes, academic institutions. The sources must report the same thing independently. 3. Verify the reputation of the source for accuracy. The source must be rigorous, fact-checked, and beholden to editorial standards. University publications and government statistical bureau sources are weighted more and exclude any anonymous blog. 4. Trace the source to modern day equivalents of primary documents like firsthand letters, parliamentary letters, court transcripts. The source should be an original study, a speech recording, an official data release. Exclude any commentary or rumors. 5. Check consistency with known facts. If a claim clashes with established science or historical record, treat it skeptically, unless overwhelming new evidence is presented. 6. Investigate the author. Who wrote it? What are their interests, affiliations, and funding? Unsigned screed carries little weight.

Result

The prompt produces a structured credibility assessment of a source by confirming identity, corroborating claims with independent reputable sources, verifying accuracy standards, tracing to primary documents, checking factual consistency, and investigating author background.

Time Savings: 30 minutes

Audience(s): Faculty, Staff, Student

Submitted By: Nathanael Davis