CW-301b · Module 1

Source Triangulation

3 min read

A single source is an assertion. Two sources are a coincidence. Three independent sources are evidence. Source triangulation is the practice of validating every critical finding against at least three independent sources before treating it as fact. This is not academic rigor for its own sake — it is the quality gate that prevents your research deliverable from being wrong in ways that embarrass the person who presents it.

The triangulation prompt pattern is explicit: "I found that [finding] in [source A]. Validate this claim against at least two additional independent sources. If the sources agree, state the consensus. If they disagree, state each source's position and the likely reason for the discrepancy." Claude handles this well because it naturally cross-references when instructed to. The key word is "independent" — a press release and an article quoting that press release are one source, not two.

Do This

  • Require three independent sources for every critical finding in the deliverable
  • Treat vendor-published data as one source category, not as objective truth
  • When sources conflict, report the conflict and the likely explanation — do not pick a winner

Avoid This

  • Cite a single source for a critical claim and treat it as validated
  • Count a press release and an article quoting that press release as two sources
  • Discard conflicting data — conflict often reveals the most interesting insight