"If there's an opinion, facts will be found to support it." – Judy Sproles, 1979

The editorial writer does write from conviction and commitment to community. While he knows that not all readers will agree with the editorial stance, the editorial writer wishes to be a viable voice in the community. If the editorial writer is to remain credible, he must support his views with facts which are the result of careful research and a wide range of reliable sources – not a manipulator of data as Sproles suggests.

Just how does the editorial writer determine the reliability of his or her sources? We offer this list of questions and suggestions to use as the editorial writer reviews sources. Check out the National Institute for Computer-Assisted Reporting for further information on verifying electronic sources.

BE AWARE OF PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

• Are you representing the situation or person fairly?
• Does the quotation or statistic really apply to your topic?
• Is this a credible source to represent the opposition?

SEARCH FOR QUALIFICATION

• What credentials or experience qualifies this individual?
• Is the source really an authority or someone with an impressive title?
  For example, is the Secretary of the Interior the best person to ask about land management issues in Utah? Does the principal know the regulations governing food sold in the cafeteria?
• Is the individual's job position at the right level? Who within the agency or company really has oversight or is knowledgeable about the issue in question?

ATTEND TO TIMING

• When was the statement made? Is it still relevant?
• What was the situation which elicited the comment? Check the context of the quotation or statistic. Ethically, situations of duress should be stated or the quotation should be scrutinized for reliability.

WATCH FOR CONTRADICTIONS

• Are there incongruities between statements of sources which should lead the writer to search further?
• Has the source stated an improbability? For example, would Bill Gates ever state that Microsoft has become too powerful? Would the principal complain that the football team has won too many games?

BE A SKEPTIC

• Does the source have anything to gain or lose from decisions made or from an informed public?
• Is the Web page associated with a reliable organization or scholar?

QUESTION METHODOLOGY

• If statistics come from a survey, do you know how the data was gathered?
• Who conducted the survey or poll?
• Was the sample representative of the population?
• How many were surveyed? What percent of the population?