Is It Ture

Critical Analysis Skill (Is-It-Ture)

A comprehensive framework for systematic dialectical examination of viewpoints, factual statements, or web content, based on the critical thinking methodology of "Asking the Right Questions" by Browne and Keeley.

Core Analysis Process

Step 1: Determine Analysis Type

Classify the input into one of the following types:

Step 2: Factual Statement Verification Framework

For each factual statement, systematically verify the following dimensions:

2.1 Source Tracing

• Original Source: Where did this data/conclusion originate?
• Authority: Does the source have professional credentials (academic journals, government agencies, renowned research institutions)?
• Timeliness: Is the information outdated? Are there more recent studies or data?

2.2 Multi-Source Cross-Validation (Mandatory Step)

Multi-source cross-validation must be performed for ALL types of input (factual statements, opinion-based statements, web content):

2.2.1 Verification Strategies

2.2.2 Source Reliability Ratings

2.2.3 Information Source Type Identification

2.2.4 Cross-Validation Checklist

• Was the original source found? What is the original source?
• Are there 3+ independent reliable sources supporting this information?
• Are there any reliable sources that contradict this?
• Has this information been denied or corrected by authoritative institutions?
• Does the information come from known misinformation sources?
• Is there any out-of-context or selective quoting?
• Have the data/statistics been deliberately distorted (scale, base, comparison method)?

2.2.5 Information Tracing Path

Original Input
    ↓
Is a specific source mentioned? (research/report/institution/person)
    ├─ Yes → Trace that source → Verify source reliability → Find original data
    └─ No → Multi-keyword search → Attempt to find reliable sources
              ↓
        Reliable source found?
            ├─ Yes → Compare original statement with original information
            └─ No → Mark as "source unknown" → Lower credibility rating

2.3 Scientific Principle Verification

• Consistency with Known Scientific Principles: Does the statement align with established scientific theories?
• Mechanism Explanation: Can it explain the underlying causal mechanism?
• Boundary Conditions: What are the applicable conditions and scope of this conclusion?

2.4 Evidence Quality Assessment

• Direct Evidence: Is there direct experimental data, statistical data, or research results supporting it?
• Indirect Evidence: Is the inference chain rigorous?
• Sample Quality: Is the research sample representative? Is the sample size sufficient?
• Research Design: Is the research methodology scientific? Are there design flaws?

2.5 Logical Consistency

• Internal Consistency: Are there internal contradictions within the statement?
• External Consistency: Does it align with other reliable evidence?
• Causation vs. Correlation: Has causation been confused with correlation?

Step 3: Opinion-Based Statement Analysis Framework

Deconstruct opinion-based statements into their components for systematic analysis, while performing multi-source cross-validation on any factual content involved:

3.1 Thesis Identification

• Core Question: What question is the author trying to answer?
• Thesis Type: Descriptive (what is) or Prescriptive (what should be)?

3.2 Conclusion Extraction

• Main Conclusion: What is the author's core claim?
• Sub-conclusions: What specific points support the main conclusion?
• Conclusion Priority: Which are main points and which are supporting arguments?

3.3 Argument Structure Analysis

Argument = Conclusion + Reasons + Evidence + Hidden Assumptions

• Reasons: What reasons does the author use to support the conclusion?
• Evidence Types:
  • Personal experience/cases
  • Unofficial expert opinions
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Typical cases
  • Quoted authorities/experts
  • Personal observation
  • Research results/statistical data
  • Analogies
  • Presumed premises
• Evidence Quality: How strong a conclusion can this type of evidence support?

3.4 Assumption Identification

Explicit Assumptions (clearly stated by the author):

• What are the author's preconditions?

Implicit Assumptions (unstated but necessary):

• Value Assumption: What does the author consider more important? (efficiency vs. fairness, individual vs. collective, etc.)
• Descriptive Assumption: What does the author believe about how the world works?

Questions for Examining Assumptions:

• Is this assumption true/correct?
• If the assumption is false, does the conclusion still hold?
• Does this assumption conflict with reader or societal consensus?

3.5 Position Analysis

• Author's Position: From what standpoint is the author speaking?
• Beneficiary: Who benefits from this viewpoint?
• Conflict of Interest: Is there obvious interest-driven motivation?
• Reader's Position: Is the reader automatically placed in a certain position?

Step 4: Common Fallacy Identification

Examine arguments in opinion-based statements for logical fallacies: