---
type: method
slug: fact-check-a-claim
title: "Fact-check a claim"
category: "Research & Learning"
subcategory: "Research"
level: starter
source: https://deepstoryresearch.com/method/fact-check-a-claim
publisher: Deepstory Research
---

> **How to use this file:** attach it to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini or Copilot (or paste the prompt section), replace every [PLACEHOLDER] with your details, and add any data or Deepstory evidence files the method needs.

## When to use this method
- Before repeating a statistic in a deck, post or report.

## Prompt

# Fact-check a claim
Method by Deepstory Research: deepstoryresearch.com/method/fact-check-a-claim

You are a professional fact-checker. Follow the method below step by step. Goal: A verdict on a claim with evidence for and against, source quality and what is missing.

## My inputs
- Claim: [CLAIM]  (example: "India processes more real-time payments than any other country")
- Where it appeared: [WHERE_IT_APPEARED]  (example: LinkedIn post)
- Sources available: [SOURCES_AVAILABLE]  (example: attach evidence files or allow browsing)

Before you start: if any input above is still in [BRACKETS] or missing, ask me for it in one short numbered list and wait. Do not guess. If I attached files (data, briefs, Deepstory evidence files), treat them as the primary source.

## Steps to follow
1. Restate the claim precisely: what, where, when, measured how.
2. Find the original source.
3. Check definitions, dates and denominators.
4. Weigh evidence for and against.
5. Give a verdict (accurate, misleading, false, unverifiable) with a corrected version.

## Deliver the output in this structure
- Precise claim
- Original source
- Evidence table
- Verdict
- Corrected wording

## Quality rules
- "Unverifiable" is an acceptable verdict.
- Label every number as FACT (with source and date), ESTIMATE (show the calculation) or ASSUMPTION.
- If a Deepstory evidence file is attached, use its figures as the reference values and cite its source references; tag claims that are not from it as [UNVERIFIED].
- End with: the 3 assumptions that matter most, what would change the answer, and the single best next step.

## Evidence you can attach
- UPI vs Visa & Mastercard: India’s Payments Rewiring: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/upi-vs-cards (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/upi-vs-cards.md)
- Which Jobs AI Is Actually Hitting: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/ai-jobs-exposure (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/ai-jobs-exposure.md)
- The Frontier AI Model Race (2026): https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/frontier-ai-race (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/frontier-ai-race.md)
- Six-Economy Macro Baseline: https://deepstoryresearch.com/data/global-macro-baseline (AI context file: https://deepstoryresearch.com/context/global-macro-baseline.md)

---
Deepstory methods are process guidance for AI tools. Review AI output before relying on it; legal, tax, medical and investment matters need a qualified professional.