How would you determine if a passage has a reliable and relevant source?

• A. If it agrees with your view.
• B. Trust any source with a chart.
• C. Only consider sources from social media.
• D. Check author qualifications, publication venue, date, bias, and whether evidence is supported by data or credible references.

Answer: (D)

Evaluating sources means checking credibility and relevance to ensure the information is trustworthy and appropriate for the topic. The most reliable approach is to look at the author’s qualifications, where the work was published, when it appeared, any potential bias, and whether the claims are supported by data or credible references. This combination helps you judge whether the source is reliable and suitable for your needs.

Why this approach works: knowing who wrote it shows whether the author has expertise. The publication venue signals whether the work went through a review or vetting process. The date helps you assess whether the information is current. Watching for bias helps you understand perspective and possible slant. And visible evidence—data, citations, or references—lets you verify claims rather than take them at face value.

The other ideas don’t provide the same protection against misinformation. Simply agreeing with your view invites confirmation bias. Relying on any source that includes a chart assumes visuals guarantee truth, which isn’t guaranteed. Limiting sources to social media excludes more rigorous, vetted materials and lacks reliable checks and balances.