Is it Good Information?

It is extremely important to evaluate information found on the internet for reliability and validity.  SIFT (The Four Moves) is an evaluation method aimed primarily at news websites and social media like Twitter and Facebook. 

When using The SIFT Method: 

1. STOP! Pause and ask yourself if you recognize the information and if you know anything about the website or claim’s reputation.
2. Investigate the source: Take a minute to identify where this information comes from and to consider the creator’s expertise and agenda. Is the source worth your time? Look at what others have said about the source, what kind of reputation does it have?
3. Find better coverage: AKA - Find trusted coverage. Look for credible sources; compare information across sources and determine whether there is a consensus.
4. Trace claims, quotes, and media back to the original context. Online information is sometimes removed from its original context. Trace the information back to the original sources to evaluates its relevancy. 

"The Sift Method" by Mike Caulfield is licensed under CC BY 4.0. 

The Information Checklist

You can also evaluation an information source by the following criteria: 

• Currency
  • Is the information outdated?
  • Has it recently been updated?
  • If it is a website, do the links work?
• Authority
  • Who created the information?
  • What are their credentials?
  • Are they reputable?
• Accuracy
  • Does it cite their sources?
  • Are the sources credible?
  • Does the page/information have errors?
• Purpose
  • ​​​​​​​Why does the information exist?
  • Are they trying to sell, persuade, or inform?
  • If it is a website, does it contain advertising?
• Relevance
  • Does it provide links or resources to find further information?
  • Does the information add to your research?
  • Have you looked at a variety of sources? 

If you are unable to answer most of these questions, you might need to find another source.