The four moves: Stop, Investigate the source, find better coverage, trace the original context.
The SIFT method was created by Mike Caulfield. All SIFT information on this page is adapted from his materials with a CC BY 4.0 license.
CREDO Reference database is an academic alternative to Wikipedia.
Researching is a big task, so it can be overwhelming to know where to start—there’s nothing wrong with a basic internet search to get you started. Online resources like...Wikipedia, while not always accurate, are a great way to orient yourself in a topic, since they usually give a basic overview with a brief history and any key points.
HINT: Online encyclopedias offer accurate summaries, with links to related information & resources
Ask yourself whether you know and trust the website or source of the information.
Before you read the article, stop!
Before you share the video, stop!
Before you act on a strong emotional response to a headline, stop!
Ask yourself: Do I know this website? Do I know this information source? Do I know it's reputation?
Before moving forward, use the other three moves: Investigate the Source, Find Better Coverage, and Trace Claims, Quotes, and Media back to the Original Context.
The next step before sharing is to Investigate the Source.
Take a moment to look up the author and source publishing the information.
What can you find about the author/website creators?
What is their mission? Do they have vested interests? Would their assessment be biased?
Do they have authority in the area?
The next step is to Find Better Coverage or other sources that may or may not support the original claim.
Again, use lateral reading to see if you can find other sources corroborating the same information or disputing it.
What coverage is available on the topic?
Keep track of trusted news sources.
Use known fact-checking sites:
Browser extension
B.S. Detector (Mozilla/Firefox)
Official Media Bias Fact Check Extension– This extension will display a color-coded icon denoting the bias of the page you are currently viewing, according to Media Bias/Fact Check. You can click the icon to read more notes about the site or visit MBFC for more details. This extension also displays bias and factual reporting on Facebook and Twitter.
A browser extension that alerts users to unreliable news sources.
Do a reverse image search to find relevant sources on an image,
The final step is to Trace Claims, Quotes, and Media to their Original Context.
Click through to follow links to claims
Open up the original reporting sources listed in a bibliography if present
Look at the original context. Was the claim, quote, or media fairly represented?
Is information being taken out of context?
Remember, headlines, blog posts, or tweets may sensationalize facts to get more attention or clicks. Re-reporting may omit, misinterpret, or select certain facts to support biased claims. If the claim is taken from a source who took it from another source,
The State Library of Victoria's ergo: research resources results offers easy-to-follow guides for secondary students and teachers, including a helpful study skills section.
