STOP
investigate the source
find better coverage
trace claims
Applying SIFT
100

What should you do before immediately believing or sharing information online?

Stop and think before reacting or sharing.

100

What does the letter I stand for in the SIFT method?

Investigate the source. 

100

Independent evidence is...

Independent evidence is proof that backs up a claim from a source other than the vendor themselves.

100

What does T stand for in SIFT?

 Trace claims to the original source

100

Layla is writing a paper, and only has one source for one of the themes she's using. What is the next best step?

Find better coverage. She needs other reliable sources to back her claims

200

True or false: A professional-looking website always provides reliable information.

False

200

What are two things you should research about an unfamiliar website or author?

The author's expertise and the website's reputation.

200

What is the main way to find similar sources?

 Use Keywords to limit search

200

 Why must we trace claims to their original sources?

To verify accuracy and context

200

Reggie saw a post online about his favorite skate park being turned into a new residential area next spring. What should he do before he goes to the city council and yells at all of them?

Stop- he should check to see if he is reacting on emotion or on fact

300

You find a statistic that supports your opinion. Should you automatically trust it?

No. You should verify the statistic even if it supports your opinion.

300

An article gives medical advice, but the author has no listed qualifications. What should you do?

Investigate the author's credentials and consult trustworthy medical sources.

300

What would be the best sources to use for a paper?

Unbiased sources with strong evidence

300

What is the point of verifying accuracy?

So you aren’t being incorrect by accident in your paper

300

John is reading a news post about a football team doing terrible because of their head coach, but he doesn't think that the news got good information, what should he do?

Investigate the source- the news article may have gotten biased or wrong information

400

Why shouldn't you trust a claim just because it agrees with your personal beliefs?

Personal agreement does not prove that the information is accurate.

400

How might a website's financial interests influence the information it publishes?

It may present information selectively to promote products or benefit financially.

400

If the research does not seem reliable, what is the best thing to do?

Find other reliable sources saying the same thing

400

What are the four listed things to trace?

 Quotes, Statistics, Images, Claims

400

Gertrude has been reading an academic paper on a subject she gets mad about, but she doesn't know if she trusts the evidence. What steps should she take?

Stop and Investigate the source

500

You see a shocking social media post that confirms something you already believe. How should you apply the STOP step before sharing it?

Pause, recognize your reaction, and avoid accepting or sharing the claim until you have evaluated it.

500

An article has an anonymous author, no listed sources, and claims repeated across websites without evidence. How should you investigate its credibility?

Research the website and its reputation, look for information about the author, and determine whether credible evidence supports its claims.

500

What is are the two steps in finding better coverage?

 Look for other reliable sources reporting the same, see whether the claims are supported by independent research

500

What does SIFT mean entirely?

Stop, Investigate the source, Find better coverage, Trace the claim to the original context

500

Jenny read a report that had a quote saying "95% of adults are on their phones for over 2 hours a day", which is the most logical next step of SIFT for her to do before she puts it in her paper?

T- Trace the claim to the original context