Organizational Leadership
The SIFT information presented has been adapted from materials by Mike Caulfield with a CC BY 4.0 This link opens in a new window license.
Evaluating Web Resources
Evaluating information found on websites is crucial, especially when conducting research for academic purposes, as not all online sources are reliable or credible. With the vast amount of information available on the internet, it is important to critically assess the quality and accuracy of what you are reading. Some websites may contain biased, outdated, or misleading information, and using unreliable sources can negatively impact the quality of your research. By evaluating the credibility of the content, you can ensure that the information you use in your assignments is both trustworthy and relevant.
The S.I.F.T. Method
The SIFT method can help you critically assess the information you encounter online:
- Stop and Reflect
- Investigate the Source
- Find Reliable Coverage
- Trace the Claim
First, "Stop" and ask whether the source seems credible before you dive deeper. Then, "Investigate the source" to learn about the author’s qualifications and the reputation of the website or organization. "Find reliable coverage" means checking multiple sources to verify the information and ensure it is not biased or incomplete. Finally, "Trace the claim" by following the information back to its original source to verify its accuracy. By following these steps, you can confidently select quality, reliable sources for your research.
Evaluating Sources Using the SIFT Method Video
In the short video below, you will learn how to evaluate web sources effectively using the SIFT Method—Stop and Reflect, Investigate the Source, Find Reliable Coverage, and Trace the Claim.