How can you determine a source’s biases? Why is it important to consider a source’s biases?

By researching the positions that your source took in the past. Are they even keeled, or do they typically lean heavily in one direction.

It;’s important so that you can put a weighed factor in the value of information from that source. If you are looking for an unbiased viewpoint, you should use several sources with varying viewpoints.

As an example:

You are writing an article on the success or failure of the Iraq War. If you used Hillary Clinton for one of your sources, then you might want to use Donald Rumsfeld as your 2nd source.

Neither will give an accurate story, but together you can get a more accurate and unbiased viewpoint

Great question! It’s important to first look at the organization. Is this a, say, environmental organization preaching about global warming? I’d say that might be a little biased… or, a republican party website preaching against abortion? This also might be biased…

It’s important to look at the subject and the organization, and determine any potential biases.

Also, some organizations might just be in it for the money; it’s important to look at that too. (Are the organizations just telling you what you “want” to hear)

Hope this helps! =]