Score the source for one claim
A source can be strong for one decision and irrelevant to another. Write the exact claim first, then assign 0, 1, or 2 points for each criterion.
| Criterion | 0 points | 1 point | 2 points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Unknown or unrelated publisher | Relevant intermediary | Original owner, regulator, or primary publisher |
| Proximity | Opinion or unsupported summary | Reports evidence indirectly | Original document, data, observation, or method |
| Currency | Undated or too old for the claim | Date is usable with a caveat | Current for the topic's expected change rate |
| Scope fit | Does not support the exact claim | Supports only part of it | Directly supports the claim as written |
| Method | Method or definitions are hidden | Method is partly described | Method, definitions, sample, and scope are clear |
| Corroboration | Conflicts with stronger evidence | Consistent with one independent source | Consistent with multiple independent sources |
| Limits and conflicts | Material limits are hidden | Known limits need prominent context | Limits are disclosed and manageable for this use |
Interpret the result
- 12-14: strong candidate for this claim. Cite the exact page, section, and date.
- 8-11: usable with conditions. Record the caveat or add stronger corroboration.
- 0-7: treat it as a research lead, not support for a material claim.
Critical rule: do not use the total to rescue a source with a scope-fit score of 0. For a time-sensitive claim, a currency score of 0 is also a stop signal.
A five-minute workflow
- Write the claim: make it precise enough that evidence can support or contradict it.
- Capture the source: record owner, title, URL, publication or update date, and access date.
- Score independently: use the notes column to explain any 0 or 1.
- Decide: use, use with conditions, corroborate, or reject.
- Set a trigger: note the date, policy change, product release, or other event that should cause review.
Usage license: You may adapt the worksheet for your own work or internal team. Do not resell or redistribute it as a standalone product. The rubric does not guarantee factual accuracy, legal compliance, rankings, or editorial quality.