Source+Reliability

=Source Reliability=


 * Source reliability** is a measure that an analyst utilizes to help him/her assess the dependability of certain facts, websites, human contacts, etc. It is measured on a scale of 1-10, one indicating extremely low source reliability and ten illustrating that information from a particular source is highly reliable. The following topics should be used as assessment for source reliability (although this list is not all encompassing):


 * Publication**
 * 1) Date - is the information current, or does it need to be current?
 * 2) Reputation of publication - is the source well known and reputable?
 * 3) Kind of publication - is it a scientific report, eye-witness account, a website?


 * Author or Speaker**
 * 1) Qualifications - is he an expert in his field?
 * 2) Bias - is he one-sided in his point-of-view?
 * 3) Values - what does the author value in regards to the topic?
 * 4) Chance for personal gain - does the author stand to benefit from his position?


 * Consistency of Information**
 * 1) Confirmation or corroboration - can anyone else make the same claims?


 * Means of Obtaining the Information**
 * 1) Witness or researcher - was the author or speaker a first-hand witness to the information or did he gather it from some other source?
 * 2) Equipment - what kind of equipment was used to record information?

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