Lesson 2 of 4 · 8 min read
Checking facts and references
AI tools can produce references that look real but do not exist. Always verify.
A simple checking routine
- Find the original source. Search for the article, book or report by its exact title.
- Confirm the details. Authors, year and publisher must match.
- Read the relevant part. Make sure the source actually says what the AI claims.
- Prefer primary sources. Official statistics, original research and reputable publishers.
Red flags
- References you cannot find anywhere
- Very precise numbers with no source
- Quotes attributed to famous people that you cannot trace
Better use of AI for research
Ask AI to suggest search keywords, explain concepts in papers you have found, or summarise text you provide, rather than to supply the sources.