Module 8 – AI Research & Fact-Checking

Overview

In this module, you’ll learn to use AI as a research assistant without getting misled by outdated or fabricated information. You’ll build a repeatable workflow for asking better questions, checking sources, and documenting evidence.

What you’ll learn

How to write a focused research brief that reduces hallucinations.
A simple method for triangulating sources and confidence levels.
How to document sources so you can reuse findings later.

1. Build a research brief

Start with a narrow question, audience, and definition of “done.”

You are my research assistant. I will give you a question and the audience.

Please provide:
1) A concise answer in 5 bullets.
2) A list of sources you would verify (titles only).
3) The top 3 uncertainties to validate.

Question: [PASTE QUESTION]
Audience: [PASTE AUDIENCE]

2. Triangulate sources

Treat AI output as a draft. Validate it using at least two independent sources and confirm the date, author, and context of each claim.

Check for primary sources (reports, official docs, transcripts).
Prefer recent sources when facts change quickly.
Log any contradictions before you decide what to trust.

3. Create a fact-check log

Use a simple table (Claim → Source → Confidence) so you can reuse research later.

Today’s action

Pick a real question and write a research brief.
Validate three claims using two independent sources each.
Store your findings in a simple fact-check log.