This is when a source uses numbers from studies to back up its points. It is a strength.

• stats/data

• balance

• qualified author

• use of sources

This is when a source shows both sides of an issue. It is a strength.

• stats/data

• balance

• lack of balance

• provenance

This is when an author has a job (like a professor or writer for a respected website) which gives them motivation to write as accurately as possible to represent their organization well.

• bias

• balance

• lack of balance

• vested interest (good)

This is when an author has a specific reason to support one side of the argument over the other.

• bias

• .com

• lack of balance

• vested interest (good)

This is when an a source only shows one side of the argument. It is a weakness.

• bias

• vested interest (bad)

• lack of balance

• no sources

This is a website for a university and is generally very reliable.

• .edu

• .com

• .org

• .gov

This is a website that is looking to make money in some way. It can be either good or bad depending on the intentions of its owners and the purposes of the website.

• .edu

• .com

• .org

• .gov

This is when the author of an article shows where they got their information from clearly. It is a strength.

• use of sources

• qualified author

• no sources

• vested interest

This is when the the person who writes an article is very educated or very experienced in working in or writing about the field that they are covering/writing about. It is a strength.

• use of sources

• qualified author

• no sources

• vested interest

This is similar to bias and means that the author has a specific reason related to their job that makes them want to support one side of the argument over the other.

• lack of stats/data

• unqualified author

• lack of balance

• vested interest (bad)