SIFT is an evaluation strategy developed by digital literacy expert Michael Caulfield (Washington State University Vancouver) to help determine if online content is reliable. When seeking online information, follow these steps to consider the quality and credibility of sources you find! The strategy can be applied to all kinds of electronic information, such as social media, statistics, blogs, news outlets, videos, memes, and much more.
SIFT stands for:
Stop
Investigate the source
Find better coverage
Trace claims, quotes, and media back to their original context
Related: Read Web literacy for student fact-checkers
When using the SIFT Method, look carefully at the information presented and answer the following questions:
1. Who created the content? Is the author clearly identified? What are their credentials or qualifications? What kind of website domain is the content on (.com, .org, .edu, .gov, etc.)?
2. How is the content presented? What is the purpose (inform, persuade, sell, entertain, solicit donation, etc.)? Do you see information sources quoted or identified? Can these be verified through other sources?
3. Is the information biased, or opinion-based? Is the content presented with emotionally-charged language?
4. Is the content current, or could you be missing the most updated information on the topic? Is the information comprehensive, or does it focus on one aspect of a topic or issue?
Remember:
1. Do not look at what an organization says about itself - do further research outside of the organization's website.
2. Investigate the original sources quoted in an article or work to verify the information.
3. Evaluate information with logic, NOT EMOTION!
Want to know more? Read Media Bias 101: The Difference Between News, Analysis and Opinion by Allsides.
1. Get your news from diverse sources! Find a variety of reputable sources of news and information to avoid getting news from a single source which may provide limited and potentially biased information.
2. Check webpage history, using the Wayback Machine online, to verify content.
3. Double-check images which may be altered. Here is a video that explains "deepfake." You can check photographs using websites such as:
4. Double-check sources with statistics, graphs, or other data by seeking out other sources to verify the data presented.
5. Stop before you forward (or use) and double-check the information you are thinking about sharing!