Bias may be revealed when you encounter:

Take the Information Literacy Test to excel in assessing, evaluating, and applying information effectively. Use flashcards and multiple-choice questions with comprehensive explanations. Prepare for success!

Bias shows up when a source presents information from only one side or ignores credible alternative explanations. If you encounter a lack of additional points of view, that signals the material may be favoring a single interpretation without weighing other credible perspectives. When a piece omits these alternatives, it can skew conclusions because important counterarguments and evidence aren’t considered. A well-rounded source will acknowledge other viewpoints or explain why different interpretations were not included.

The other factors can raise questions about reliability or relevance—unknown publishing houses might cast doubt on credibility, old publication dates can mean outdated information, and weak author credentials can undermine authority—but they don’t reveal bias in the same direct, evaluative way as a lack of diverse perspectives.