The SIFT method helps you quickly assess the credibility of information you find online. Use these four moves when encountering new information:
When you encounter new information, pause before sharing or using it. Ask yourself:
Do I know anything about this source?
What is this source's reputation?
Should I trust the claims being made?
Tip: If strong emotions arise (anger, excitement, outrage), that's a signal to stop and verify before proceeding.
Don't rely solely on what a source says about itself. Research the source's credibility using external tools:
Search the source name in Google or Wikipedia
Look for information about the organization's mission, funding, and potential biases
Check what other reputable sources say about this organization
Remember: The "About Us" page won't give you unbiased information. Look beyond the source itself.
Look for trusted reporting on the same topic from multiple sources:
Search for the claim in reputable news sources
Look for coverage from organizations with strong fact-checking reputations
Compare how different sources report the same information
Note: You're not looking for sources that agree with your viewpoint - you're seeking reliable, well-sourced reporting.
Many web sources cite other research or reporting. Verify information by:
Following links back to original sources
Checking if quotes or data are accurately represented
Viewing images, videos, or statistics in their original context
Why this matters: Information can be misrepresented when taken out of context. Tracing back to the original source ensures accuracy.
Even scholarly sources require evaluation. Not every peer-reviewed article will be appropriate for your specific research needs. Use these criteria to assess scholarly materials:
Question: Is the author an expert in the subject?
How to check:
Review the author's credentials (PhD, MD, or other advanced degrees)
Search the author's name to see their other publications and institutional affiliations
Verify that their expertise matches the topic they're writing about
Why it matters: Authors with relevant expertise are more likely to provide accurate, well-informed analysis.
Question: Is the information sufficiently current for your topic?
How to check:
Note the publication date
Consider whether your topic requires recent research
Determine if newer research might contradict or update this source
When currency matters most:
Medical and health sciences (treatments and best practices evolve rapidly)
Technology topics
Current events and policy issues
When older sources are valuable:
Historical research
Foundational theories or seminal works in a field
When tracing the development of ideas over time
Question: Does this source address your specific research needs?
How to check:
Read the abstract to understand the article's scope
Review the methods section to see if the research approach fits your needs
Examine the conclusion to determine if findings address your research question
Check the reference list to see if the author cites other relevant sources
Why it matters: A high-quality article may not be useful if it doesn't address your specific research question or approach.
Question: Who is the intended audience?
How to check:
Examine the language and terminology used
Identify the publication venue (academic journal, professional magazine, etc.)
Note whether the writing assumes specialized knowledge
For scholarly sources: Articles are typically written for other researchers and experts in the field, which is why they may be challenging to read.
Question: What type of source is this, and who published it?
How to check:
Identify if it's a peer-reviewed journal article, scholarly book, conference paper, etc.
Note the publisher (university press, professional society, commercial academic publisher)
Use database limiters to filter for peer-reviewed sources
Search the publisher name if unfamiliar to verify their academic credibility
Why it matters: Peer-reviewed sources have undergone expert evaluation, increasing their reliability.
Effective evaluation requires background knowledge. You cannot fully assess a source's quality, relevance, or timeliness without understanding:
The history of research on your topic
Current debates and disagreements in the field
Key researchers and foundational works
How to build context:
Start with general background sources (textbooks, encyclopedias, review articles)
Read multiple sources on your topic before making final selections
Consult with librarians or subject experts
Be cautious of sources that:
Make extraordinary claims without strong evidence
Lack citations or references
Are published by unfamiliar or unverifiable organizations
Use inflammatory or highly emotional language
Present opinion as fact
Cherry-pick data to support a predetermined conclusion
For Web Sources:
☐ I've investigated the source's credibility
☐ I've found corroborating coverage from trusted sources
☐ I've traced claims back to original sources
☐ I've checked my emotional reaction and verified objectively
For Scholarly Sources:
☐ Author has relevant expertise
☐ Publication date is appropriate for my topic
☐ Content is relevant to my research question
☐ Source is peer-reviewed (if required)
☐ Publisher is credible
Use the SIFT method to quickly evaluate web sources
Evaluate scholarly sources for authority, currency, relevance, audience, and publisher
Build background knowledge to effectively assess source quality
Check your emotional reactions - strong feelings can cloud judgment
Not all peer-reviewed sources will be appropriate for every research project
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