BALANCED: If you’re researching a subject, you probably don’t know enough about it to realize the facts are wrong. However, there are some warning signs for inaccurate sources. Watch out for corporate advertising, political motivations, and forceful views that are not open to alternative ideas.
Ask yourself: What is the author’s motive – to inform vs. to influence?
Watch out for sponsoring agencies, groups, corporations and organizational affiliations.
Ex: You read a website claiming that French fries cure cancer. At the bottom of the page, the copyright mentions Burger King.