Step one: identify the claims
Separate factual claims from polished language. Names, numbers, dates, causes and quotations can be marked and checked individually.
Useful questions include: Where might this information come from? Is it current? Can an independent source confirm it?
Step two: conduct an independent check
A second response from the same AI is not independent confirmation. Books, original documents, reputable institutions and transparent calculations provide stronger evidence.
Students should also ask which perspective is missing and whether uncertainty has been acknowledged.
- consult at least one independent source
- check numbers and quotations carefully
- distinguish fact, interpretation and assumption
Step three: explain your own conclusion
Students should not simply copy the response. They should explain what appears reliable, what remains uncertain and which source they find persuasive.
AI then becomes a starting point for research and reasoning rather than an authority.