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Evaluating Information: S.I.F.T. (The Four Moves)

Using Mike Caulfield's S.I.F.T. (Stop, Investigate, Find, & Trace) to evaluate sources online.

Find more (or better) coverage



Then FIND more, better coverage of the topic:

  • Look and see what other coverage is available on the same topic.
  • Seek out more trusted, more in-depth, or maybe just more varied viewpoints and sources that cover the same topic—perhaps ones you already know to be credible and reliable.
  • Scan multiple sources and see what the expert consensus seems to be. Even if you don't agree with the consensus, it will help you investigate further.
  • Keep track of trusted news sources, but don't rely on only the news sources that you always agree with; instead, try to look at all sides of an issue.