The SIFT Method

🛑 Step 1: Stop

Pause before sharing, commenting, or acting on information.

The first step is the most important: stop and take a moment before reacting to information. This pause interrupts the automatic response that leads us to share questionable content or make decisions based on unreliable information.

What to do when you STOP:

• Notice your emotional reaction to the content
• Ask yourself: "Do I know this source?"
• Consider: "Does this seem too good/bad to be true?"
• Resist the urge to immediately share or act

Why STOP matters: Misinformation often triggers strong emotional responses. Content designed to make you angry, afraid, or excited is more likely to be shared without verification. A simple pause can prevent you from spreading false information.

🔍 Step 2: Investigate the Source

Learn about the source's reputation and expertise before trusting the content.

Before evaluating the specific claim, investigate who is making it. Understanding the source's track record, expertise, and potential biases helps you contextualize their claims.

How to investigate sources:

• Check the "About" page: Look for author credentials, mission statement, and funding sources
• Look up the publication: Search for the website or author name + "bias" or "reliability"
• Check Wikipedia: Many major publications and public figures have Wikipedia pages with criticism sections
• Scan recent articles: Look at other recent content from the same source
• Use fact-checking sites: Search AllSides, Media Bias/Fact Check, or similar resources

Example Investigation:

You encounter an article from "HealthTruth.news" claiming vaccines cause autism. Investigation reveals: no clear author credentials, funding sources hidden, Wikipedia shows it's been flagged for spreading medical misinformation, and Media Bias/Fact Check rates it as "Questionable Source."

🌐 Step 3: Find Better Coverage

Look for more reliable sources covering the same topic or event.

Rather than trying to verify a questionable source, it's often faster and more effective to find better sources covering the same story. This approach leverages the expertise of professional journalists and fact-checkers.

Strategies for finding better coverage:

• Search for the topic: Use key terms from the claim in a search engine
• Check major news outlets: Look at AP, Reuters, BBC, NPR, or other established sources
• Find expert sources: Look for coverage by subject-matter experts or specialized publications
• Check fact-checking sites: Search Snopes, PolitiFact, or FactCheck.org
• Look at multiple perspectives: Find coverage from sources with different viewpoints

What makes coverage "better"?

• Established track record of accurate reporting
• Editorial standards and correction policies
• Expert sources and transparent methodology
• Less sensational tone and language
• Multiple sources confirming the same information

🔗 Step 4: Trace Claims

Follow claims back to their original source or supporting evidence.

Many claims get distorted as they spread through multiple sources. Tracing information back to its origin helps you find the most accurate version and evaluate the underlying evidence.

How to trace claims effectively:

• Follow citations: Click through to original studies, reports, or documents
• Find the primary source: Look for the original research, official statement, or firsthand account
• Check for context: Read the full study/report, not just the abstract or press release
• Verify quotes: Ensure quotes are accurate and not taken out of context
• Look for methodology: Check how the information was gathered or research was conducted

Tracing Example:

Claim: "New study shows coffee prevents cancer"
Trace results: Original study followed 1,000 people for 2 years, found correlation not causation, authors noted limitations, and peer review flagged methodological concerns. Conclusion: Claim is oversimplified and misleading.

🗞️ Breaking News

Use SIFT when encountering breaking news, especially from unfamiliar sources or on social media. Fast-moving stories are prone to errors and misinformation.

🔬 Scientific Claims

Apply SIFT to health, science, or medical claims. These often get misrepresented as they move from academic journals to popular media.

🏛️ Political Information

Use SIFT for political news, especially during election periods when misinformation and partisan content increase significantly.

💰 Financial Advice

Apply SIFT to investment tips, economic predictions, or financial news that could influence your decisions.

❌ Skipping the STOP Step

Going straight to investigation without pausing to notice your emotional reaction and automatic responses.

❌ Surface-Level Investigation

Only checking if a website "looks professional" without investigating the source's track record or expertise.

❌ Confirmation Bias in Coverage

Only seeking sources that confirm your existing beliefs instead of looking for the best available evidence.

❌ Not Going to the Source

Accepting secondary reporting without checking the original study, document, or statement being referenced.

🎯 Daily Practice Challenge

For the next week, apply SIFT to three pieces of information you encounter daily:

1. A news article from your social media feed
2. A health or science claim you see online
3. A breaking news story from any source

Document what you discover at each step and how it changes your assessment of the information.

✅ SIFT Quick Reference Checklist

• STOP: Did I pause before reacting to this information?
• INVESTIGATE: Do I know anything about this source's reputation and expertise?
• FIND: Have I looked for better coverage from more reliable sources?
• TRACE: Have I followed the claim back to its original source?