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SIFT Instruction

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Start Here!

Hello!  This module is set up to mimic an in-person Library Instruction experience. The topics and activities will introduce the SIFT Method, developed by Mike Caulfield for evaluating web sources.

I am your Librarian, Meredith Tummeti, and my contact information is located in the box to the left, below the navigation menu.  At any time, if you need help with concepts or finding sources, please reach out to me or the library.

The plan for this session/module:

  • Learn about the SIFT Method
    • (S)top! Check your emotions.
    • (I)nvestigate the source.
    • (F)ind alternative coverage.
    • (T)race all claims back to original content/source.
  • SIFT in Action with practice examples.
  • Use SIFT on a web source related to your research topic.

Please go through all pages in the module, read the text, watch the videos, and do the activities.  This will set you up for success on the quiz. 

Use the Previous and Next buttons at the bottom of the module (not the Canvas buttons at the very bottom of the page) to navigate between pages, or use the library module navigation buttons on the left.

Evaluating Websites using the SIFT method

What is a credible/trustworthy source online? How can we tell? All of us ask these questions. The truth is, we need to evaluate everything we look at to determine if we can trust it, especially websites. 

The good news is using the SIFT method can help you decide.

Watch the following video to learn more:

Online Verification Skills - Video 1: Introductory Video by CTRL-F. Video is closed captioned and a transcript is available on YouTube. (Approximately 3 minutes.) 

A Note for Clarity

The SIFT method is for use with resources found on the open web, mostly websites that are providing news or information. When finding an article on the open web, you will use a search engine of your choice, like Google, Edge, Safari, Firefox, Duck Duck Go, etc. I use Google for my demonstrations. Remember, OneSearch is not a search engine that searches the open web, it is a discovery tool that only finds library resources.

Creative Commons License
The content of these guides, unless otherwise noted, by Kirk Library is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.