Idea 1of 3Builds onA verdict no bigger than the evidence
No single source settles it
Two polished websites contradict each other. Now what?
Today you'll discover
- the first move when two sources disagree
- what to look for in a set of sources
- why disagreement is useful
Think firstTwo well-made websites disagree about wind power's cost
Two polished websites flatly contradict each other about wind power costs. Your first move?
Decide first, then press Next. Watch which box of the ring lights up.
A ring of eight boxes joined by arrows: question, hypothesis, safety review, plan, collect data, analyse, conclude, communicate. After a prediction, the collect-data box is named, then the analyse box. The last step asks which set of sources is stronger for a contested question.
See the whole ideathe big idea and the key word, in one place
The big idea
Weigh the source before the claim. Several independent ones, not one.
Easy to get wrongProfessional-looking is not reliable. A lobby group can afford a designer. Ask who published it and what they have to gain.
Key word
- triangulate
- to check a claim against several independent sources with different interests, rather than trusting one
Ready to use it?
- Pick the stronger of two sets of sources for a contested question, and say why.