Table of Contents |
We're going to start by defining three terms that will help you to understand how to properly evaluate scientific information.
Term | Definition | Example |
---|---|---|
Fact | A fact is verifiable information. A fact is something that you know is true and that you can verify. | It is 100 degrees Fahrenheit outside today. That is something that you can prove is true and that you can verify with, for example, a thermometer. |
Opinion | An opinion is something that is based on personal judgment and might not be based on fact. It's something that a person herself is judging. | An opinion based on that fact that it is 100 degrees might be that it is hot outside. This is based on personal judgment, and it could vary from person to person. One person might think that 100 degrees Fahrenheit is hot, but another person might not. |
Bias | A bias is a swayed opinion. It's based off an opinion but is swayed due to someone's personal experience. | If you live in Minnesota, your opinion may be that Minnesota is the best state. This is a swayed opinion based on your personal experience because that's where you live. |
When you're evaluating information and trying to figure out if that information is credible, you need to look at a few key points. Credible information should always be:
Source: THIS WORK IS ADAPTED FROM SOPHIA AUTHOR AMANDA SODERLIND