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Evaluating Sources

This Library Research Guide will provide you with information that you can use to critically evaluate sources including websites, articles and reports, books and ebooks, etc.

SIFT Evaluation

What is SIFT (Infographic) This link opens in a new window

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.

 

SIFT banner

What is SIFT?

SIFT is a source evaluation methodology created by Mike Caulfield, a misinformation researcher. SIFT is a four-step method that helps you quickly evaluate online information by focusing your attention on what matters. The four moves—Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, and Trace claims to the original context—guide you in identifying reliable sources, avoiding misinformation, and amplifying accurate content.

By applying these moves with simple web techniques, you can become a more discerning consumer of information and resist the pull of clickbait.  The SIFT method is especially helpful for evaluating news, social media, or other online media.

Watch the videos below to learn more about the four moves.

 

 

The SIFT method was created by Mike Caulfield This link opens in a new window. All SIFT information on this page is adapted from his materials with a CC BY 4.0 This link opens in a new window license.

Evaluating Sources Using the SIFT Method Video

In this short video, you’ll learn how to evaluate web sources effectively using the SIFT Method—Stop and Reflect, Investigate the Source, Find Reliable Coverage, and Trace the Claim.

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.

 

Four Moves of SIFT

Stop and Reflect

Consider the context of your research and what you know about the source along the reputation of the source. This step is a reminder to critically consider the information we engage with.  

  • Can you trust the information being presented is accurate? 
  • Does the source of the information have a reliable reputation?

The SIFT method is about checking to make sure you can reliably use the information you find.

Investigate the Source

When we investigate the source, we're focusing on how likely it is that the creator or publisher of the information would present accurate, reliable information. We can approach this with our own research of the source and by looking for information about the creator or publisher from other sources.

Ask questions like:

  • Who wrote it? Who published it? 
  • When was it published?
  • Is it peer-reviewed/ under editorial oversight? 
  • What is their mission? Do they have vested interests? Would their assessment be biased?

Google the Source

To do a quick check of who is creating the information and/or funding it. Use lateral reading This link opens in a new window. Go beyond the 'About Us' section on the organization's website and see what other, trusted sources say about the source.

Using Wikipedia to Investigate:

Wikipedia is likely to contain information about groups or publishers that is helpful to source evaluators. To find an associated Wikipedia page (if there is one), add the word "wikipedia" to the base of the url or the author's name in a Google search.

Skim the Wikipedia page for:

  • controversies
  • designation as a hate group
  • mentions of misinformation
  • warnings

Please note, you are not using Wikipedia for information to cite on a research paper. You are simply using Wikipedia as a tool to check the credibility and trustworthiness of the source in question.

Use the Hovering Technique: 

On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) you can use what's called the hovering technique This link opens in a new window to learn more about who is sharing information.

Find Better Coverage

Sometimes the article or video you found doesn't matter as much as the claim it's making.  A generally unsuitable publisher can share correct information. Look and see what other coverage is available on the same claim. Keep track of trusted news sources as you conduct your searches.

  • Can you find trusted sources that are reporting on the claim?
  • Do all the sources seem to agree on the claim?
  • Is there controversy around it, with different sources making conflicting arguments?

How you go about finding supporting evidence will depend on the kind of source you're considering. If it's a current event, try using the news filter on your preferred search engine. If you're skeptical of the findings of a scholarly article, it makes sense to do additional searches in library databases.

Trace Claims

Finally, we can trace the claims a source makes. This is particularly helpful when a source mentions where the claim they’re making comes from.  Open up the original reporting sources listed in a bibliography if present. Trace the claims and ask questions like:

  • Is there another resource that the original source relies on for most of its information?
  • Look at the original context.Was the claim, quote, or media represented fairly?
  • What does the original source say?
    • Is it the same thing?
    • Does it contradict what is in your source? Expand on it?

Whenever you have the option to look at the original, investigate that original source. Some sources will include a formal citation for this kind of reference, a link, or only a textual clue.

Useful Sites

Useful sites for tracing claims that may not have an original source listed, or for tracing claims of an original source. 

Some of these sites include:

Additional SIFT Resources