The following is a list of fact checking strategies developed by Michael Caufidield. The SIFT METHOD (STOP, INVESTIGATE THE SOURCE, FIND BETTER COVERAGE, TRACE CLAIMS) is designed to help you determine if the sources you found are accurate and reliable. Keep in mind that the following list is not static or complete. Different criteria will be more or less important depending on your situation or need.
| Stop |
- When you initially encounter a source of information and start to read it—stop. Ask yourself whether you know and trust the author, publisher, publication, or website. If you don’t, use the other fact-checking moves that follow, to get a better sense of what you’re looking at. In other words, don’t read, share, or use the source in your research until you know what it is, and you can verify it is reliable.
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| Investigate the Source |
- Investigating the source means knowing what you're reading before you start reading. In other words take a couple of minutes to do a quick search for the author and publisher of the source you're reading. Knowing the expertise and agenda of the source is necessary when it comes to understanding and evaluating a source.
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| Find Better Coverage |
- Sometimes the claim or the information in the source is more important to you than the actual source itself. If you find your self in this predicament find better coverage. You have the tools at your disposal to be able to find a source that better suits your needs, and in some cases more reliable!
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| Trace Claims, Quotes, and Ideas back to the Original Source |
- Sometimes sources can be missing context, or maybe you are doubtful of the claims the source is making. When you find yourself in this situation, Trace the claims, quotes, or ideas back to the original source. This way you will be able to understand the context and verify any quotes or interpretation of ideas.
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Adapted from The SIFT Method by Mike Caulfield, Washington State University.
