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Source Evaluation: SIFT

Learn about the evaluation tool SIFT (Stop, Investigate, Find, Trace) and how to apply it to various forms of information.

News 

News sources are the reports of recent events, developments, or trends, typically produced by journalists and published in newspapers, magazines, or online platforms. While not typically the first source included in academic projects, news is valuable for scholarly research because, unlike books or scholarly articles, it offers timely and relevant information on current issues, societal changes, and public reactions. As a primary source, news provides firsthand accounts and diverse perspectives, helping researchers analyze the context and impact of events. It also helps in understanding media influence, public discourse, and trends across disciplines, making it an important tool for gaining insights into society and historical moments.

  • Citation Information 
    • Article headline
    • Article byline
    • Newspaper name
    • Place of publication 
    • Publication Date
    • Page and column of the article
    • When the article was retrieved (this is especially important if the article was found on the open Internet)
  • Sections
    • Headline: The title of the article, designed to grab the reader's attention and give a brief summary of the story.
    • Byline: The name of the journalist or reporter who wrote the article, often including their position or affiliation.
    • Lead (Lede): The opening paragraph, which summarizes the most important aspects of the story. It answers the key questions—who, what, when, where, why, and how—giving readers a quick overview.
    • Body: The main part of the article, where the details of the story are elaborated. The body is usually organized in descending order of importance (the inverted pyramid structure), with the most crucial information at the beginning.
    • Quotes: Direct or indirect statements from people involved in the event or experts on the subject. 
    • Supporting Information: Additional facts, background information, or context that help the reader understand the broader significance of the story.
    • Dateline: The date and location where the article was written or where the event occurred. 

Stop: 

  • Is this article something you were searching for? Read the headline and lead.  (Beware of clickbait) 
  • What is your emotional reaction to the article?  Read the headline and lead.  
  • Do either provoke an emotion? Look at word choice.  

Investigate: 

  • Who is the author and can you find/prove their credentials?  Read the byline. 
  • What is the newspaper title and publisher?  Research the newspaper or news site. 
  • Are they known for being credible? Look for motive or agendas. This can indicate bias. 
  • Who is funding the information? This could indicate a bias. 
  • Am I comfortable citing and having this source attached to my credibility/reputation?

Read the source: Check out the "Reading News " tab for more information on this.

Find: 

  • Are there other proven credible sources covering the same or similar topic? Skim headlines. 
  • Is there a consensus, disagreement or new view points? Read headlines and leads. 

Trace: 

  • Is there data provided, if so where did it originate? Read supporting information
  • Is citation information provided? Can you find the original quote in full. 
  • Does the original information support the conclusion or was anything taken out of context? Look at word choice. 

Unlike books and scholarly, news sources can be read straight through and should be read in their entirety. To get the most out of reading news sources, review the process below: 

What is your research question? 

When you select news sources to read, focus on your topic and purpose, look for sources that match the date, location and event you are researching. 

Read the headline first 

Questions to consider: 

  • Could it be false, misleading, clickbait, or satirical?
  • What does the headline indicate the source is about?   
  • Is this related to my question or area of research?

Next: Read the lead.

Questions to consider 

  • What do we already know about this topic?
  • What have other people said in regards to this topic?
  • Does this match the headline? 

Finally: Read the body. If what you've read addresses your research question, this should be your next step. 

Questions to consider:

  • How did the author find their information? Interviews, witness...  
  • What supporting data is provided?
  • Are the quotes and event presented in a factual way? 
  • What conclusions do you formulate from this? 

Review the References (anytime): News sources do not always provided a formal reference section. 

Questions to ask:

  • What other sources should I read?
  • What other research should I explore?