Evaluating Information Sources

Bias is when a statement reflects a partiality, preference, or prejudice for or against a person, object, or idea.

Who:

• Who wrote and published the article?
• Who benefits from the information?
• Who have you also heard discuss this?
• Who is this trying to appeal to?
• Who else uses these terms/words?

What:

• What is the purpose of the site or article?
• What are the verifiable facts?
• What do the language/images tell you about the author’s opinion?
• What does this make you feel?

When:

• When would you use this language?
• When is it useful to use this language?
• What would you use this article as evidence?
• Has the article or resource been updated?

Where:

• Where is the information coming from?
• Where does the site or author get their funding?
• Where do they get their evidence?
• Where else do you see this story?
• Where else is language like this used?

Why:

• Why does the information exist?
• Why did this get published?
• Why does the article use the images/language it does?
• Why are people influenced by this?
• Why is this relevant?