What strategies help you evaluate credibility and bias in informational texts?

• A. Check author qualifications, source currency, evidence quality, citations, potential conflicts of interest, and whether multiple viewpoints are presented
• B. Check font size
• C. Count pages
• D. Look for color images

Answer: (A)

Evaluating credibility and bias in informational texts comes down to examining what supports the claims and who is presenting them. Look at the author's qualifications to see if they have expertise in the topic. Consider how current the information is, since newer data can matter a lot in some subjects. Pay attention to the quality of the evidence and whether the text cites reliable sources you can verify. Note any potential conflicts of interest, such as funding or sponsorship, that might shape the author’s perspective. Finally, check whether the text presents multiple viewpoints or acknowledges other explanations, which helps reveal balanced thinking rather than a biased stance. Superficial features like font size, page count, or color images don’t determine credibility or bias.