The SIFT Method is another way to evaluate information. SIFT stands for Stop, Investigate the Source, Find Better Coverage, and Trace Back to the Original Source. The SIFT Method is especially helpful in determining the credibility of online content, especially news and social media content.
Learn more about the SIFT Method on our ENG151 Information Literacy - Source Evaluation research guide.
Use the following criteria to help you identify the credibility, authoritativeness, and usefulness of sources for your college-level research.
What is your information need?
How does the information meet that need? Think about what level of information or detail you need. Here are some examples:
When was the information published, posted, or updated?
Does the information have historical value?
Is there more updated information available?
How current is the information they’re citing?
Who created the information?
What can you find out about their background?
How are they qualified to write on the topic? (This may depend on the purpose of the information: for example, a journalist will usually write news sources; scholars will usually write peer-reviewed sources.)
How does the information meet your needs?
Does the information meet the requirements of your assignment?
What evidence does the article provide to support any claims it’s making? (What sources are they citing?)
How much review or oversight did it have before it was published?
How long did the article take to be published?
What is the purpose of the information? Here are some possibilities: