Source Evaluation Framework

Ask these questions about any source:

• Authority — who created this, and do they have real expertise?
• Accuracy — can the claims be checked against other sources? Are there citations?
• Purpose — is it meant to inform, persuade, sell, or entertain?
• Currency — when was this published, and is it still relevant?
• Coverage — does it show multiple perspectives or just one side?

Purpose is the most underrated of these. A drug company studying its own product, or a think tank pushing an agenda, has a goal beyond simply finding the truth.