Leila Fielding
WHAT YOU'LL LEAVE WITH
- A research prompt that asks AI for sources, not just answers.
- An evidence log showing which claims you checked, and what you found.
- A side-by-side view of your options against what matters most.
- A one-page decision note you can share, saved with the rest as one PDF pack.
BEFORE YOU START
- A decision you need to make, or a question you need to answer.
- Your AI tool open in another tab. One that shows its sources is best.
- About 30 minutes, most of it spent opening and reading sources.
Best done on a computer.
Step 1 of 6
AI is quick at finding and summarising information, and just as quick at sounding sure about things that aren't true. A clear question keeps the research honest.
FROM THE FIELD
Breaking a big question into smaller ones makes AI's answers easier to check, and shows you what you haven't looked at.
Ask AI to break the question down
I need to decide: [question]. List the five to seven smaller questions I'd need to answer to decide well. For each, say what kind of evidence would answer it. Don't answer them yet.
FROM THE FIELD
Ask for sources, not just answers. An answer without a source is In plain EnglishAn AI hallucination happens when an AI system generates information that is incorrect, fabricated or unsupported, but presents it as though it were accurate.Practical takeawayCheck important claims against reliable sources, particularly names, dates, statistics and references.Read the full entry.
YOUR RESEARCH PROMPT
I'm researching this question: [question]. Please answer these questions: 1. [question to answer] For every claim you make: - give the source, with a link or a full reference I can find - say whether it's an established fact, an interpretation or uncertain - prefer these kinds of source: [ticked evidence types] If you can't find good evidence for something, say 'not found' rather than guessing. Finish with the main points that disagree with each other, and what's still unknown.
Copy your research prompt
I'm researching this question: [question]. Please answer these questions: 1. [question to answer] For every claim you make: - give the source, with a link or a full reference I can find - say whether it's an established fact, an interpretation or uncertain - prefer these kinds of source: [ticked evidence types] If you can't find good evidence for something, say 'not found' rather than guessing. Finish with the main points that disagree with each other, and what's still unknown.
How to run it
- Open your AI tool in a new chat. A tool that shows its sources is best.
- Paste the prompt.
- Don't stop at the answer. Copy each important claim and its source into the evidence log in the next step.
If something's wrong, copy a fix
1. It gave no sources
For each claim in your answer, give the source with a link or full reference. Remove any claim you can't source.
2. A link doesn't work or the source doesn't exist
I couldn't find the source for '[claim]'. Give me the exact title, author, publisher and date, or tell me it may not exist.
3. It sounds too sure
Go back through your answer and mark each point as established, likely, or uncertain, and say why.
4. It only gives one side
Give me the strongest evidence against your main conclusion, with sources.
5. It might be out of date
For each source, give its date. Flag anything older than three years, and anything that may have changed since.
6. It's answering a different question
Stick to this question only: [question]. Ignore anything outside it.
FROM THE FIELD
For a step-by-step guide, use Research With AI.
Only claims you've checked against their source belong in your decision.
Use In plain EnglishAI output is the result produced by an AI system in response to an input or task. It might be text, an image, code, a classification, a summary or a recommendation.Practical takeawayCheck the output against your brief and original sources, then edit or verify it before sharing or acting on it.Read the full entry as a lead; checking what the source actually says is what makes it evidence.
| Claim | Source | What I found | StrengthStrong: official data or good research that applies to your situation. Weak: one example, opinion, or a different context. | Row actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
FROM THE FIELD
Use Check AI Output Before You Use It for a practical source check.
Seeing the options side by side, against what matters most, makes the trade-offs visible.
Options
What matters most?
Compare the options
Ratings are your judgement, not a score. Check for In plain EnglishAI bias occurs when an AI system produces systematically skewed results that may unfairly favour or disadvantage particular people, groups or outcomes. Bias can arise from training data, system design, the way AI is used or the wider process surrounding it.Practical takeawayTest outputs across relevant scenarios, examine the data and assumptions, and maintain appropriate human oversight.Read the full entry in who the evidence covers. Keep a In plain EnglishHuman-in-the-loop means involving a person in an AI-supported process to review, guide, approve or correct an action or decision.Practical takeawayPut human review where it can genuinely influence the outcome.Read the full entry when making the call.
Option 1: No ratings yet.
Option 2: No ratings yet.
This organises your judgement. It doesn't calculate an answer.
FROM THE FIELD
YOUR DECISION NOTE
DECISION: [question] For: [decider] RECOMMENDATION: [recommendation] (confidence: [confidence]) WHY: [why] KEY EVIDENCE (checked against the source): - [no supported claims yet] OPTIONS CONSIDERED: [options] TRADE-OFF: [trade-off] WE'D REVISIT THIS IF: [revisit condition] NEXT STEP: [next step and owner]
Copy your decision note
DECISION: [question] For: [decider] RECOMMENDATION: [recommendation] (confidence: [confidence]) WHY: [why] KEY EVIDENCE (checked against the source): - [no supported claims yet] OPTIONS CONSIDERED: [options] TRADE-OFF: [trade-off] WE'D REVISIT THIS IF: [revisit condition] NEXT STEP: [next step and owner]
YOUR DECISION PACK
Your decision note so far
Save it as a PDF. Share the decision note, and keep the evidence log with it.
1. NEXT STEPS
- Share the decision note with [decider].
- Do the next step: [next step and owner].
- Revisit if [revisit condition].
- On your review date, check whether the decision still holds.
2. YOUR DECISION NOTE
DECISION: [question] For: [decider] RECOMMENDATION: [recommendation] (confidence: [confidence]) WHY: [why] KEY EVIDENCE (checked against the source): - [no supported claims yet] OPTIONS CONSIDERED: [options] TRADE-OFF: [trade-off] WE'D REVISIT THIS IF: [revisit condition] NEXT STEP: [next step and owner]
Copy your decision note
DECISION: [question] For: [decider] RECOMMENDATION: [recommendation] (confidence: [confidence]) WHY: [why] KEY EVIDENCE (checked against the source): - [no supported claims yet] OPTIONS CONSIDERED: [options] TRADE-OFF: [trade-off] WE'D REVISIT THIS IF: [revisit condition] NEXT STEP: [next step and owner]
3. EVIDENCE LOG
| Claim | Source | What I found | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not entered | Not entered | Not checked yet | Not rated |
| Not entered | Not entered | Not checked yet | Not rated |
| Not entered | Not entered | Not checked yet | Not rated |
4. OPTIONS AND TRADE-OFFS
Option 1: No ratings yet.
Option 2: No ratings yet.
5. YOUR RESEARCH PROMPT
I'm researching this question: [question]. Please answer these questions: 1. [question to answer] For every claim you make: - give the source, with a link or a full reference I can find - say whether it's an established fact, an interpretation or uncertain - prefer these kinds of source: [ticked evidence types] If you can't find good evidence for something, say 'not found' rather than guessing. Finish with the main points that disagree with each other, and what's still unknown.
Copy your research prompt
I'm researching this question: [question]. Please answer these questions: 1. [question to answer] For every claim you make: - give the source, with a link or a full reference I can find - say whether it's an established fact, an interpretation or uncertain - prefer these kinds of source: [ticked evidence types] If you can't find good evidence for something, say 'not found' rather than guessing. Finish with the main points that disagree with each other, and what's still unknown.
6. FIXES TO KEEP HANDY
1. It gave no sources: For each claim in your answer, give the source with a link or full reference. Remove any claim you can't source.
2. A link doesn't work or the source doesn't exist: I couldn't find the source for '[claim]'. Give me the exact title, author, publisher and date, or tell me it may not exist.
3. It sounds too sure: Go back through your answer and mark each point as established, likely, or uncertain, and say why.
4. It only gives one side: Give me the strongest evidence against your main conclusion, with sources.
5. It might be out of date: For each source, give its date. Flag anything older than three years, and anything that may have changed since.
6. It's answering a different question: Stick to this question only: [question]. Ignore anything outside it.
7. STILL OPEN
- Question 1 from Step 02 is unanswered.
- Question 2 from Step 02 is unanswered.
- Question 3 from Step 02 is unanswered.
Answers are stored in this browser when local storage is available; they are not sent to us. Save the PDF to keep a copy.
My decision note
YOUR DECISION NOTE
DECISION: [question] For: [decider] RECOMMENDATION: [recommendation] (confidence: [confidence]) WHY: [why] KEY EVIDENCE (checked against the source): - [no supported claims yet] OPTIONS CONSIDERED: [options] TRADE-OFF: [trade-off] WE'D REVISIT THIS IF: [revisit condition] NEXT STEP: [next step and owner]
1. NEXT STEPS
- Share the decision note with [decider].
- Do the next step: [next step and owner].
- Revisit if [revisit condition].
- On your review date, check whether the decision still holds.
2. EVIDENCE LOG
| Claim | Source | What I found | Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not entered | Not entered | Not checked yet | Not rated |
| Not entered | Not entered | Not checked yet | Not rated |
| Not entered | Not entered | Not checked yet | Not rated |
3. OPTIONS AND TRADE-OFFS
Option 1: No ratings yet. Option 2: No ratings yet.
4. YOUR RESEARCH PROMPT
I'm researching this question: [question]. Please answer these questions: 1. [question to answer] For every claim you make: - give the source, with a link or a full reference I can find - say whether it's an established fact, an interpretation or uncertain - prefer these kinds of source: [ticked evidence types] If you can't find good evidence for something, say 'not found' rather than guessing. Finish with the main points that disagree with each other, and what's still unknown.
5. FIXES TO KEEP HANDY
- It gave no sources: For each claim in your answer, give the source with a link or full reference. Remove any claim you can't source.
- A link doesn't work or the source doesn't exist: I couldn't find the source for '[claim]'. Give me the exact title, author, publisher and date, or tell me it may not exist.
- It sounds too sure: Go back through your answer and mark each point as established, likely, or uncertain, and say why.
- It only gives one side: Give me the strongest evidence against your main conclusion, with sources.
- It might be out of date: For each source, give its date. Flag anything older than three years, and anything that may have changed since.
- It's answering a different question: Stick to this question only: [question]. Ignore anything outside it.
6. STILL OPEN
- Question 1 from Step 02 is unanswered.
- Question 2 from Step 02 is unanswered.
- Question 3 from Step 02 is unanswered.