Searching for any information on the internet can be an adventure! Evaluating the authority, usefulness, and reliability of the information you find is a crucial step in the research process. This page provides tips for evaluating sources for relevance, reliability, and usefulness.
SIFT is a method of evaluating online information developed by Mike Caulfield of Washington State University Vancouver. This infographic shows the steps of SIFT: Stop, investigate the source, find trusted coverage, trace claims, quotes and media to the original context.
Learn more about SIFT:
This video (3.5 minutes) from University of Louisville Libraries Citizen Literacy Project describes the practice of "lateral reading," a strategy used by professional fact-checkers to investigate the reliability of online sources.
Working in small groups, you will examine a source and consider (1) how you would evaluate its credibility and/or usefulness for your essay (or other assignment, and (2) how you would use it as evidence in your argument.
(Note: You do not have to read the entire article word for word!)
Use one of the following examples to practice the SIFT methodology and your lateral reading skills:
Consider and respond to the following prompts as you evaluate the source.