When researching a topic, evaluating the information you find is an important part of the research process. Taking the time to evaluate sources can help you determine whether information is accurate, credible, current, and supported by evidence. The SIFT Method is a useful technique for evaluating many types of information, including websites, articles, books, social media posts, videos, and information found through search engines or generative AI.

Stop
Before accepting information as true, take a moment to stop and think about what you are seeing. Are you already familiar with the topic? Does the information seem credible or accurate? Is it current? Does anything about the information make you question it? If you are unsure, use the other steps in the SIFT Method to investigate further.

Investigate the source
Investigate the person, organization, publisher, or website responsible for the information. What expertise or authority do they have on the topic? Is the source reputable? Consider whether the creator has an agenda, a particular point of view, or a potential bias. Check any citations, links, or references provided to make sure they lead to real and reliable sources.

Find better coverage
Look for other trustworthy sources that provide information about the same topic or claim. Compare multiple sources to see whether the information is supported, disputed, or missing important context. Looking at different sources can help you determine whether there is a consensus and can also lead you to more reliable information and additional sources for your research.

Trace claims, quotes, and media to the original context
Whenever possible, find the original source of a claim, quote, image, video, statistic, or other information. Check whether it has been accurately represented and whether anything has been taken out of context or selectively presented. Going back to the original source can help you determine what the creator actually said or intended and whether the information supports the claim being made.

Before You Use a Source

Read the source
Finding a credible source is only the first step. You need to actually read the source before using it in your research. Make sure you understand what the creator is saying, what evidence they provide, and how the information connects to your research question or argument. Do not rely only on a search result, abstract, summary, snippet, or AI-generated overview of a source. Go back to the original source and read the relevant information for yourself.

Cite the original creator
When you use information from a source, give credit to the person, organization, or other creator responsible for the original information. This might be an individual author, government agency, nonprofit organization, company, or other group. Search engines, databases, and AI tools can help you find information, but they are not a substitute for the original source or its creator. Whenever possible, go back to the original source, read it yourself, and cite the original creator.

The SIFT Method was created by Mike Caulfield. All SIFT information here is adapted from his work with a CC BY 4.0 license.