Sourcing

Two Sources or It Is Not a Fact

The setter's minimum standard, and why a single source — however authoritative — is not enough. Circular citation, and how an error propagates until it is common knowledge.

The Reference Shelf, and Why It Survives

Printed reference works still matter to setters in an era of instant search. What a fixed edition gives you that a live page cannot.

Facts With a Shelf Life

Records, populations, tallest and fastest. How setters handle facts that will be wrong within a year, and the phrasing that makes them safe.

Verifying a Negative

'Only', 'first' and 'never' are the three most dangerous words in a question. What it takes to justify each.