Nw Source Verification

1. Identify the specific assertion to verify
2. Find 2+ independent sources not citing each other (avoid circular refs)
3. Verify independence: different authors, publishers, organizations
4. Compare: agree on substance (minor wording differences OK)
5. Document: verified / partially verified / unverified per finding

Circular Reference Detection

• Source B cites Source A = one source, not two
• Multiple sources referencing single study = cite the original
• Prefer primary over secondary sources

Bias Detection Checklist

Evaluate before citing:

1. Commercial interest: selling related product/service?
2. Sponsorship: sponsored/funded content?
3. Conflict of interest: author benefits from conclusion?
4. Geographic/cultural bias: limited to single region?
5. Temporal bias: publication dates skewed to specific era?
6. Cherry-picking: contradictory evidence acknowledged?
7. Logical fallacies: correlation as causation, authority without evidence

When bias detected: note in Source Analysis, reduce confidence.

Citation Format

[1] {Author/Organization}. "{Title}". {Publication/Website}. {Date}. {Full URL}. Accessed {YYYY-MM-DD}.

Required Metadata Per Source

Source URL | Domain | Access date | Reputation score (from tiers) | Verification status

Paywalled or Restricted Sources

Mark "[Paywalled]"/"[Restricted Access]" | Provide URL | Find open-access alternative | Note in Knowledge Gaps