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Introduction to library research in the arts: Fact checking with SIFT

An introduction to research concepts and techniques for University of Redlands students in fine, literary and performing arts, developed as an Open Educational Resource (OER)

Learning objective

  • Use the SIFT method to evaluate the credibility of online sources.

Question to Consider

  • What factors cause you to trust, or distrust, information that you find online?

Activity: Evaluating online information using SIFT

Photo of Mike Caulfield speaking into a microphone

The SIFT method is a process to determine whether you can trust information you find online. It was developed by Mike Caulfield, director of the Digital Polarization Initiative and an instructor at Washington State University - Vancouver.

There are four steps to this process:

  • Stop
  • Investigate the source
  • Find better coverage
  • Trace claims, media and coverage back to the original context

Let's learn how to use the SIFT method through this interactive tutorial.

"ETUG-Fall17-IMG_3122" by BCcampus_News is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0

Key point

  • You can use the SIFT method to fact-check online claims by investigating the claim, tracking it back to the original source, and finding better sources that verify the claim.