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Dual Credit ENG 151 - SIFT Method for Evaluating Sources

This guide explains how to use the SIFT Method for evaluating sources. SIFT stands for Stop, Investigate the claim, Find better coverage, and Trace back to the original source.

The Research Process

The Research Process

  1. Identify your information need (often guided by the requirements of your assignment)
  2. Pre-research (background info, keywords, learn about topic)
  3. Create a research statement or question (often guided by your assignment)
  4. Develop a search strategy. (Where will you look for information? This will depend on your what kind of information you need.)
  5. Search for information. (Choose a search tool and test your keywords.)
  6. Evaluate the sources you find.
  7. Answer question and cite sources