Curated resources and handy checklists

This page pulls together the practical tools that turn our guides into action: step-by-step checklists you can run through in a single sitting, a source-evaluation routine, and a quick-reference sheet of the facts worth keeping close. Everything here is designed to be used, not just read — bookmark it, work through it, and come back whenever you need a refresher.

Getting Started Checklist

Write down the one specific question you want answered before you start reading — vague goals lead to vague results.
Read the beginner or overview guide first, then move to the topic-specific ones so terms are already familiar.
Keep a running list of unfamiliar words and look each one up in our plain-language glossary as you go.
Note the publication or last-updated date of anything you read so you know how current the information is.
Try one thing you learned within 24 hours — applying it immediately is the fastest way to make it stick.
Save two or three trusted starting points so you're not searching from scratch next time.
If a concept still isn't clear after two readings, flag it and use the 'ask a question' option to request a deeper guide.

Source Evaluation Checklist

Identify the author or organisation and check whether they have real, verifiable expertise on the topic.
Look for the original source of any claim — trace statistics and quotes back to where they first appeared.
Check the date: information that was accurate two years ago may have been superseded.
Watch for emotional or absolute language ('always', 'never', 'guaranteed') that signals persuasion over accuracy.
Cross-check the key claim against at least two independent sources before you rely on it.
Separate fact from opinion — note when a piece is reporting evidence versus offering interpretation.
Be cautious of pages that hide who is behind them or exist mainly to sell you something.

Quick Reference

Primary sources (original research, official records, first-hand accounts) outrank secondary summaries for reliability.
A claim without a citation is a starting point for research, not a conclusion.
'Correlation is not causation' — two things happening together doesn't prove one caused the other.
The most recent well-sourced information usually beats the most popular or most repeated version.
If you can't find who wrote something or when, treat it as unverified until you can.
Re-check anything in a fast-moving area at least once a year, since best practice and facts both change.

How do I know which guide to read first?

Start with the getting-started overview if the topic is new to you, then follow the internal links to the specific area you care about. Each guide notes what prior knowledge it assumes, so you can skip ahead once the basics feel comfortable.

How often is this information updated?

We review the guides and checklists regularly and note the last-updated date on the material itself. For anything in a fast-changing area, we recommend re-checking at least once a year and comparing against a second current source.

What's the fastest way to check if a source is reliable?

Run it through three quick tests: who wrote it, when, and whether the key claim is backed by a traceable original source. If any of those is missing or weak, treat the information as unconfirmed until you verify it elsewhere.

Can I request a guide on a topic that isn't covered yet?

Yes. Use the 'ask a question or request a topic guide' option to tell us what you'd like explained. We prioritise requests that come up often and where clear, reliable information is genuinely hard to find.

Do these checklists work for any topic on the site?

The source-evaluation checklist and quick-reference facts apply across every topic here. The getting-started checklist is deliberately general so you can adapt each step to the specific subject you're working through.

Curated resources and handy checklists

Getting Started Checklist

Source Evaluation Checklist

Quick Reference

Guides

Getting started: the basics explained clearly

How to evaluate sources and spot reliable information

Common questions readers ask, answered clearly

Key terms explained in plain language

Avoiding the most common mistakes

Staying up to date as things change