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Misinformation, Disinformation and Digital Media Literacy: SIFT Method: Evaluate Information

This guide will provide information about misinformation, disinformation, fake news and how content can be manipulated when published in electronic format. Provides strategies to determine the validity of websites, social media posts, photographs, etc.

SIFT Method

Graphic by Mike Caulfield
CC-BY-4.0

Use These Steps to Evaluate Information

When reading a page or post...

  • Stop
    • Do you know the website or source of information?
    • What is the reputation of the source?
    • What is the reputation of the claim?
    • Don't read or share until you can answer these questions satisfactorily.
       
  • Investigate the Source
    • Who is the author of the information?  
    • What are their credentials?  Are they a credible expert on the subject?
    • What is the author's purpose or agenda?
    • Research the claims being made?
       
  • Find Better Coverage (Lateral Reading)
    • Look for trusted sources that cover the same information.
    • Find in-depth sources that discuss the topic.
    • Is there consensus about the claim or is there disagreement?
    • Read multiple sources to gain a variety of information about the topic
      ​​​​​​​
  • Trace information to original context
    • ​​​​​​​Ask yourself if you may be seeing something out of context.
    • Could claims, quotes or videos been altered or manipulated?
    • Research and trace back to the original claim, quote or video.
    • Is the context or information different in the original?

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