Use the steps of the SIFT method to evaluate a website's credibility. SIFT stands for Stop, Investigate the Source, Find Better Sources, and Trace Claims, Quotes and Media to the Original Source. Watch the videos below for examples on how to apply this method.
When you are browsing the list of results or click on a website, STOP and ask yourself whether you know and trust the website or source of the information.
Have you gone down the research rabbit hole? Do you feel yourself getting overwhelmed in your fact-checking efforts? STOP and take a second to remind yourself what your goal is.
Before you read what is on the page, you must know who it is that is giving you the information. What do you know about the publication, organization, or author? Use Wikipedia and/or Google to help you find more information. A Wikipedia search can tell you things like how wide their distribution is, their annual budget, awards and honors, and any controversies.
As these fact-checking habits become second nature, you should be building a list in your mind of trusted sources. When researching a claim, use one of your trusted sources to find more information. When you are doing a search in a search engine, see what other coverage is available on the same topic. Don't just click the first website on the list.
Many times what you find on the internet is reporting on another sources reporting. This can often include bias and opinion on a subject. An article may say "according to the Journal of Scholarly Research...". When you see statements like this, which are often hyperlinked, click through to the original source. When you find media such as a video clip or image, try and find the original context of the media. Often a video clip is used strategically to make a point. Or a photo is tagged with the purpose to mislead. A reverse image search can help you find the photo in its original context.
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There are many sites you can trust online. Here are just a few examples:
The following types of websites are usually more reliable:
Try a "site search." If you want to limit your results to only a .edu or .gov, you can add site:.edu (or .gov) to the end of your search.
Search Example: preschool OR early childhood education site:.edu