When Sources Disagree: Conflicting Information

Analyze cases where two texts disagree on facts or interpretation and decide how to weigh them.

Sometimes two sources do not just emphasize different things; they actually disagree. One might say a historic bridge was built in 1880, the other in 1885. Or one might interpret a new law as helpful and the other as harmful. When sources conflict, first identify the type of disagreement. Is it about a fact (which can often be checked) or an interpretation (a judgment about what facts mean)? For factual conflicts, look for which source is more reliable: Is it a primary source?

Does it cite where its information came from? Is it more recent and informed by new evidence? For interpretive conflicts, compare the evidence each author uses and the reasoning that connects it. Both may have a point. Imagine two articles: one says a town's new bus route is 'a failure' because ridership was low in month one; the other says it is 'promising' because ridership doubled by month six. They are using different time frames, which explains the disagreement.

• 1Decide whether the conflict is about facts or interpretation.
• 2Check reliability for factual conflicts.
• 3Compare evidence and reasoning for interpretive conflicts.