SIFT Method for Evaluating Sources
One technique that students can use to assess the quality and reliability of a source is known as the SIFT method. SIFT is a set of moves that can be applied to any information source to help ensure it is valid. These steps are:
Stop
Investigate the Source
Find better coverage
Trace claims, quotes, and media back to the original context
S
STOP
I
INVESTIGATE
F
FIND
T
TRACE
Adapted from Caulfield, Mike. (2019, June 19). SIFT (The Four Moves). Hapgood. CC-BY. For more in-depth practice using the SIFT method, check out this free self-paced course provided by Caulfield, Check, Please! Starter Course
Media Bias Chart
This chart shows where many media outlets fall within the spectrum of liberal/conservative. It also places the media outlet on the spectrum for Value and Reliability. Sources for informational assignments should fall in the area of the chart ringed in green to avoid using a source that is less reliable or weighs heavily on opinion. Click on the image below to make it bigger. You can also access an interactive version of this chart.