Accuracy

Accuracy is the quality of being free from mistakes or errors. It is important to evaluate the accuracy
of information so that you would not be easily convinced by something that is wrong or deliberately
deceiving.

Different Sources of Information

When a text cites a source, you have to check if it is true, relevant, and reliable. These are different
types of sources of information:

1. People
Example:
In an interview, Atty. Michelle Reyes said that the slander case filed against Ms. Krystal Castro was
unconstitutional and is punishable under the Revised Penal Code.

Explanation:
A personal interview with an attorney regarding the law should generate accurate information.
However, you must also judge whether the person is credible. Is Atty. Reyes a lawyer who
specializes in slander cases? Is she the complainant's lawyer and would that make her biased?

You can look for other resources to validate this person as a source. It is also good to ask for a
second opinion on the matter from an unbiased attorney or even try to interpret the provisions of the
Revised Penal Code yourself.

2. Organizations
Example:
The Chiropractors Society of the Philippines claims that wearing high heels causes strain on the
plantar bones that will lead to the permanent loss of the function of the foot.

Explanation:
This example sounds convincing enough and cites a professional organization, which seems like an
expert source on the subject matter. However, this entity does not really exist. It is easy for a writer
to imagine a source to make his or her claims more credible. You should do further research on a
source to verify its existence.

3. Materials
Example:
According to Wikipedia, the monarch butterfly is Canada's national insect.

Explanation:
Wikipedia, as a reference material, is not very reliable because anybody can edit its pages. More
credible reference materials include books, newspapers, academic magazines and journals, and
verified websites of respected organizations.

Supporting Details
Supporting details provide facts and evidence that strengthen the claim of a statement.

These are the different types of support:

1. Statistical
Statistical support provides quantitative and numerical data.
Example:
The National Census Office reports that the literacy rate in the Philippines is 93 percent.

Explanation:
Statistical evidence makes a good support for arguments, but you have to ensure that they are
factual. Take note of the credibility of the organization and be mindful of the specifics of the
information. In this example, the information is from the National Census Office--which is a
nonexistent organization. The statistics authority in the country is the National Statistics Office.
Moreover, the data given is unreliable because there is no given time period such as the year.

2. Logical
Logical support provides an argument or a claim for why something should be believed or
considered true.

Example:
Majority of vehicular accidents involve women, so women make bad drivers.

Explanation:
This is an example of a fallacy drawn from an illogical premise. In a counterargument, one could
question if those involved in accidents were actually behind the wheel or simply incidental victims.

3. Universal
A universal support is a statement that is already believed by most people.

Example:
The only man-made object that can be seen from space is the Great Wall of China.

Explanation:
This is common knowledge that is known by most people as fact. However, just because everyone
believes something to be true, does not mean that it is. This statement is actually false as no man-
made object can be seen from space without the use of special equipment.

Each time you read a text that makes a claim, evaluate its accuracy first. This would hone your skills
in analysis and in spotting inaccurate information.