Shapiro Library Shorts

Exploring Source Evaluation: Shapiro Library Shorts

Evaluating sources for reliability is a key piece of your research process! Check out the video series below for guidance on using evaluation frameworks, as well as sample evaluations of various sources.

Exploring the SIFT Method: Emily Evaluates, Part 1

This video introduces Emily and her investigation into accusations of fraud made against her professor, Dr. Grant, in addition to providing an overview of the SIFT Method.

The SIFT information presented has been adapted from materials by Mike Caulfield with a CC BY 4.0 license.

Use the questions below to reflect on Emily's investigation and the SIFT Method:

• If you came across a claim similar to Student76's, what steps would you take to evaluate the truth of the claim?
   
• The SIFT Method lists four steps to evaluate a claim. What are some other steps you think would be helpful?

Exploring the SIFT Method: Emily Evaluates, Part 2

Check out the video below for the first step of the SIFT Method: Stop and Reflect.

The SIFT information presented has been adapted from materials by Mike Caulfield with a CC BY 4.0 license.

Use the questions below to prompt your own reflections on the accusation Emily is investigating:

• When you stop and reflect on the accusation of fraud made against Dr. Grant, what sticks out to you? Are there important details Emily may have missed in her initial reflection?
   
• Emily concludes that the university’s social media site is not a typical place for serious accusations. What are some reasons someone would post a serious accusation on a social media site instead of through a more traditional outlet like a newspaper or an official university announcement?
   
• When you encounter information online, is your first response to stop and reflect? Why or why not?

Exploring the SIFT Method: Emily Evaluates, Part 3

In the video below, Emily walks through the next step of the SIFT Method, I: Investigate the Source.

The SIFT information presented has been adapted from materials by Mike Caulfield with a CC BY 4.0 license.

Use the questions below to reflect on Emily's investigation and the SIFT Method:

• Based on Emily's investigation, Student76 typically posts scandalous claims about students and faculty at Emily's university. How does this information impact the reliability of the Student76 account?
   
• Have you seen social media posts that include frequent use of words with every letter capitalized (for example: "Dr. Grant is a FRAUD")? How does this use of capitalization affect your interpretation of the information contained in the social media posts? What does this use of capitalization suggest about the mindset and goals of the person posting this content?

Exploring the SIFT Method: Emily Evaluates, Part 4

Emily's investigation continues with the third step of the SIFT Method: Find Better Coverage.

The SIFT information presented has been adapted from materials by Mike Caulfield with a CC BY 4.0 license.

Use the questions below to reflect on Emily's investigation and the SIFT Method:

• The coverage of Dr. Grant in the academic sources Emily found does not align with the accusation made by Student76. Why is this important?
   
• What are some other places Emily could look for more reliable coverage of Dr. Grant's recent research?

Exploring the SIFT Method, Emily Evaluates, Part 5

Emily's investigation continues with the final step of the SIFT Method: Trace the Claim.

The SIFT information presented has been adapted from materials by Mike Caulfield with a CC BY 4.0 license.

Use the questions below to reflect on Emily's investigation and the SIFT Method:

• What is your impression of the podcaster's account of Dr. Grant on "For Students, By Students: University Life Unfiltered"? Does this account seem reliable? Why or why not?
   
• What steps would you take to trace a claim similar to the one Emily is investigating? Where would you look? What search terms would you use?
   
• Why is it important to trace a claim to its original source?

Exploring the SIFT Method: Emily Evaluates, Part 6

In the video below, Emily concludes her investigation and makes her final evaluation of the accusations of fraud made against her professor.

The SIFT information presented has been adapted from materials by Mike Caulfield with a CC BY 4.0 license.

Use the questions below to reflect on Emily's investigation and the SIFT Method:

• Do you agree with Emily's conclusion? Why or why not?
   
• Is the SIFT Method a thorough enough evaluation framework to use in this investigation? Are there other steps you would take to evaluate a claim?
   
• Which sections of the SIFT Method do you find particularly useful? Why do you find those sections useful?