What do you do if you're unsure about the validity of your sources in writing?

When writing, you often rely on external sources to bolster your arguments or provide necessary background. However, what happens when you're uncertain about the credibility of these sources? It's crucial to address this concern to maintain the integrity of your work and ensure that your writing is both accurate and trustworthy. In the following sections, you will learn how to navigate the murky waters of source validation and strengthen your writing through vigilance and critical thinking.

Key takeaways from this article

Vet sources thoroughly:

Prior to using any information, assess the author's credentials and cross-reference with other credible sources. This ensures the data is reliable and strengthens your writing’s integrity.### *Triple-check for accuracy:Always corroborate facts with multiple sources, including original documents and expert opinions. Doing so helps eliminate misinformation and enhances the trustworthiness of your content.

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1 Verify Sources

Before you integrate information into your writing, take the time to verify the sources. Look at the author's credentials and reputation, check the publication date to ensure relevance, and consider the publisher's credibility. Cross-reference the information with other reputable sources. If the details align across multiple sources, it's a good sign that the information is reliable. Always approach sources with a healthy dose of skepticism and do the legwork to confirm their legitimacy.

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Abha Sharma

Author, Life Coach, Speaker. Books: Vediquant - Vedantic Truth in Quantum Science; The Night of Fear; The Making of the Greatest series. @ Rupa Publications India.
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Years ago, a mentor taught me a super rule of investigative writing – when in doubt, leave it out. This was once the golden rule in journalism, but applies to all kinds of writing where you have to take information from other sources. I personally don’t include any information that has any shade of doubt about its validity. If, however, you must include any such content, you have to go the extra mile. Cross-check the information from various sources, and not just the information floating online. Look for research papers. Look for books on the topic. Write to experts in the field for their opinion. In short, don’t leave any stone unturned to make sure you are not including misinformation in your writing.

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Saviour Archibong

LL.B (In View)
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An efficient writer should be able to identify credible information sources. Writing without sources reduces the reliability of one's work. The same goes for writing with sources that are either not credible or incorrect. What works for me is checking for the original source, its credibility, when it was written and the overall relevance of the information in the present.

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Harsh Thakkar

Verbal Trainer at Renaissance Educare Pvt. Ltd.
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After you have tried your best to check, verify, and source the facts, you might want to reach out to people who are in the similar field or the similar mindset. They would be able to spot if something is drastically wrong. One can also see if the facts and the sources sound logically viable and how they are justified if they are. See if you can find the similar ideas and the similar things that are there which branch out from the same ideology. If nothing of these work, you can do your own research if possible and if it is a piece in which you cannot afford to research, you can give a straight disclaimer that the validity and the authenticity of the sources could not be verified. This would ensure that you never break reader's trust.

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2 Cross-Check Facts

Cross-checking facts is a vital step in vetting your sources. Don't rely on a single source for important information. Instead, look for multiple sources that corroborate the facts. This process helps you weed out misinformation and confirm that what you're reading is not an outlier or an unsubstantiated claim. By cross-checking, you also expose yourself to various perspectives on the same topic, which can enrich your understanding and improve the depth of your writing.

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Kitti Jackson

Non-Profit Professional
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I believe the most important thing to remember is to triple check your sources. It’s okay to go the extra mile and to find the “source of the source” - whether it’s an original document, abstract, or research document. Reliable information is key, and if you have doubts about a fact - leave it out until you can verify it for yourself.

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Saviour Archibong

LL.B (In View)
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While writing any paper, it is advisable to cross-check claims and facts in one's work with up to three credible sources. By doing this, you ensure the credibility and relevance of the claims and facts and avoid using dated information.

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3 Evaluate Bias

Understanding bias in your sources is essential. Every source has a perspective, and it's important to discern whether this viewpoint skews the information presented. Consider the language used—is it emotive or neutral? Does the source present multiple sides of an argument or just one? Recognizing bias allows you to critically assess the information and decide if it's suitable for your purposes or if you should seek out more balanced material.

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4 Consult Experts

If you're still unsure about a source's credibility, don't hesitate to consult experts in the field. Reach out to professionals or academics who can provide insight into the validity of the information. They can often tell you whether a source is respected within their discipline or if it's known for less rigorous standards. Their guidance can be invaluable in helping you select credible material for your writing.

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5 Use Libraries

Libraries are treasure troves of verified information, and librarians are skilled in distinguishing trustworthy sources from questionable ones. Utilize library databases, which often provide access to peer-reviewed journals and books that have undergone rigorous evaluation before publication. Libraries also offer reference services, where you can seek assistance in finding reliable sources for your writing project.

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6 Digital Tools

Lastly, leverage digital tools designed to assess source credibility. There are software and browser extensions that can analyze websites for reliability, check citations, and even highlight potentially biased or fake news. While these tools are not infallible, they provide a good starting point for evaluating your sources. Remember that technology should complement, not replace, critical thinking and manual verification efforts.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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What do you do if you're unsure about the validity of your sources in writing?

1

2

3

4

5

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7

1 Verify Sources

2 Cross-Check Facts

3 Evaluate Bias

4 Consult Experts

5 Use Libraries

6 Digital Tools

7 Here’s what else to consider

Writing

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What do you do if you're unsure about the validity of your sources in writing?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Verify Sources

2 Cross-Check Facts

3 Evaluate Bias

4 Consult Experts

5 Use Libraries

6 Digital Tools

7 Here’s what else to consider

Writing

Rate this article

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