A tool for evaluating the quality of sources. The purpose of the tool is not to exclude all evidence or dismiss everything because of easy claims about bias, but to evaluate how evidence needs to be presented, evaluated, and considered.
Reputation – What is the reputation of the author, the sources, and the publication? Do past actions or lies indicate the author, sources, or publication may not be reliable? Is the author, source, or publication in a position of authority?
Ability to Observe – Is the author in a position that allows access to reliable evidence? If the article is about an event, did the author actually observe the event?
Vested Interest – Does the author have a personal stake in the topic or event? Would the author gain anything by lying? Would the author gain anything by telling the truth?
Expertise – Does the author have specialized knowledge on the topic or event? Does the evidence come from a source that has expertise on the topic or event?
Neutrality – Is the author neutral about the issue or is bias evident? Is the source of the evidence neutral or biased?
