FAQ: What is SIFT?

 S - 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.

 I - 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. 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. 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.

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.

Example

https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2023/02/02/the-ai-boom-lessons-from-history

https://www.economist.com Wikipedia

Look for the result related to the publisher of the source that is a Wikipedia article. 

Skim the Wikipedia page for:

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

Use the Hovering Technique: 

On social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) you can use what's called the hovering technique to learn more about who is sharing information: https://infodemic.blog/2020/02/16/lets-hover/ 

 F - FIND SUPPORTING EVIDENCE

When we find other evidence, we set aside the source we're evaluating. Instead, we consider and confirm the details it reports. It is possible for a generally unsuitable publisher to share correct information. When finding supporting evidence might be helpful, we ask:

• Can you find this claim repeated elsewhere?
• Is this claim a consensus, or an outlier?

How you go about finding supporting evidence will depend on the kind of source you're considering. If the original source looks like a news article on the free web, it makes sense to use your search engine of choice. If you're skeptical of the findings of a scholarly article, it makes sense to do additional searches in library databases.

 T - 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.  When you trace claims, ask questions like:

• Is there another resource that the original source relies on for most of its information?
• 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?
  • Was the claim, quote, or media fairly represented?

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:

• FactCheck.org This link opens in a new window
• Politifact This link opens in a new window
• Snopes This link opens in a new window
• TinEye This link opens in a new window
• Washington Post Fact Checker This link opens in a new window

More Information

• What is SIFT (Infographic) is link opens in a new window
• SIFT is a source evaluation methodology This link opens in a new window created by Mike Caulfield, a misinformation researcher. SIFT emphasizes looking at our own biases and contextualizing sources to determine if they are suitable for our needs. Sift is particularly helpful with online sources, news and social media.

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.

Last Updated: October 24, 2023