Can your students sort fact from fiction in the news? How often do they believe clickbait articles that tap into their confirmation bias? Do they know how to read and watch the news critically?

With a vast amount of information at students’ fingertips, it can be challenging for them to locate unbiased, quality journalism, but the SIFT Method can help! This method’s four steps will teach your students how to critically evaluate media and confirm the veracity of information online.

SIFT Infographic

Image by Mike Caulfield

What’s the SIFT Method?

Teach your students to utilize the following steps, especially when encountering new information online.

S: Stop

Before you read an article, stop! Check the source. Now ask yourself some questions:

  • Have you heard of the source of this information?
  • Do you recognize the site sharing this article?
  • Do you have any personal bias about the topic?
  • Do you have a strong emotional response to the headline?

I: Investigate

Do some digging about the author and the source of their information.

  • Does the author have the appropriate credentials to be talking about this topic?
  • Does the article include any errors or biased language?

Check the date of the article.

  • Is this the most recent information on this topic available?
  • What is the purpose of the website?

Snopes and Politifact are great tools to use when determining bias or veracity of a new article. You can also do a reverse Google Image search to find the context behind an image.

F: Find Better Coverage

Very often, multiple news outlets will cover the same current event. Checking multiple sources to see how each outlet reports the topic will not only be helpful for fact checking a claim, but it can also be helpful for understanding any bias that might be apparent in an article.

Allsides.com’s Media Bias Chart can help you discern what kind of political bias newspapers and media outlets have based on popular opinion.

T: Trace Claims, Quotes, and Media to the Original Context

Many quotes, claims, and video clips often get taken out of context. Be sure to find the original context or reporting to fully understand what is being stated. Check any references or links included.

Need More Information?

Please visit the links below for more information about the SIFT Method. You can also reach out to our reference librarians here: askref@uwsuper.edu.

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