Think like an investigator: which question helps determine the creator behind a source?

• A. Who is the creator of the source?
• B. What color is the print?
• C. When was it published?
• D. What is the main idea?

Answer: (A)

Finding out who produced a source is essential for evaluating its reliability and perspective. The creator’s identity reveals who is behind the information, what their motives or interests might be, and what authority or expertise they bring. Knowing who made it helps you judge credibility and place the source in its historical or social context, which is the key step in assessing trustworthiness.

The question that asks who created the source directly targets this aspect, making it the best starting point for understanding the source’s origin and potential biases. Other details like the color of the print, when it was published, or the main idea describe surface features, timing, or content, but they don’t tell you who produced the source or why. If the creator isn’t clear, look for clues in bylines, organization names, logos, or publisher information and compare with other sources to build a fuller picture.