A NOVEL method of analysis has been developed that could change the way complicated documents are assessed for bias, accuracy and consistency.

The technique, which was developed at the University of Glasgow with £128,000 of funding from the North Star Engineer-ing and Physical Sciences Research Council, could even be used simplify complex legal documents.

Researchers carried out an initial study using a system to analyse media coverage of the Concorde crash in Paris in July 2000.

They claimed the media is sometimes too quick to identify the causes of events, which can lead to the public being misinformed by complex issues being oversimplified. One application of the technique is that it can be used to establish the accuracy of press coverage of an event.

The Concorde study used the method to compare coverage of the accident in The Times, The Sun and on BBC Online.

It showed after the crash The Times speculated most about the crash, while The Sun speculated the least and the Internet service was able to keep its audience developed with up-to-date coverage.

Overall most of the speculation was presented from experts rather than hypotheses from journalists.