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March 11, 2025

The SIFT method

The SIFT method

Management Summary

The SIFT method helps to check the credibility of online information. It consists of four steps:

  1. Stop - pause and not immediately believe or share.
  2. Investigate - question the source.
  3. Find better coverage - look for alternative, more reliable sources.
  4. Trace claims - Identify and check the original source.

The method is used in journalism, education and social media, but also has points of criticism, e.g. subjectivity in source evaluation and the time required. Alternatives include the CRAAP test and the Admiralty Codewhich is used by the military to evaluate sources.

For the verification of facts, there are renowned Fact check platformsincluding Correctiv, Tagesschau Faktenfinder (Germany) and Snopes, Reuters Fact Check (international).

Conclusion: The SIFT method is a useful tool for media literacy, but should be combined with other verification methods.

Reading time: approx. 10 minutes | Authors: Carsten Reffgen

Introduction

In a digitally networked world in which misinformation and disinformation are omnipresent, the critical evaluation of online information is essential. The SIFT method was developed by Mike Caulfield and offers a structured approach to checking content for credibility. It consists of four steps: Stop, Investigate, Find better coverage, Trace claims (SIFT) (Caulfield, 2019).

The four steps of the SIFT method

1. stop (stop)

Before spreading information or believing it, you should pause for a moment. Emotional or spectacular content in particular often tempts people to act rashly. A moment of reflection helps to avoid jumping to conclusions and to make a well-founded assessment of the source (Caulfield, 2021).

2. investigate

The source of the information should be critically scrutinized: Who is behind the publication? What interests could play a role? A brief search on the author or the platform gives an indication of whether the source is credible (Wardle & Derakhshan, 2017).

3. find better coverage (find better sources)

Instead of relying solely on one source, it is advisable to check alternative reports. Reputable news organizations or scientific publications often provide a more well-founded classification. Comparing different sources helps to obtain a more objective picture of the situation (Lewandowsky et al., 2020).

4. trace claims (trace back claims)

News items are often based on original sources or quotes. It is worth identifying these and checking whether they have been reproduced correctly. This can reveal distortions or manipulations (Nyhan & Reifler, 2010).

Areas of application of the SIFT method

The SIFT method is used in various contexts, including:

  • Journalism: Research and verification of information to ensure fact-based reporting.
  • Education: Teaching media skills in schools and universities.
  • Company: Analyzing news about markets, companies or political developments to avoid misinformation.
  • Social media: Checking viral content on platforms such as Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) or Instagram before it is shared.

Criticism of the SIFT method

Although the SIFT method offers an effective strategy for verifying information, there is also criticism:

  • Subjectivity of the source evaluation: The method assumes that users are able to distinguish credible sources from less trustworthy ones.
  • Time required: A detailed review requires time and effort that many people do not want to invest.
  • Manipulative platforms: Some websites or social media accounts deliberately disguise themselves as reputable sources, which makes the method more difficult to use.

Alternative methods for fact checking

In addition to the SIFT method, there are other strategies for checking information:

  • CRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose): Evaluates the timeliness, relevance, authority, accuracy and purpose of a source.
  • Admiralty Code: This system is used particularly in intelligence services and military contexts to assess the credibility and reliability of a source of information. Information is classified on a scale from A (trustworthy, directly from a reliable source) to F (unreliable, anecdotal or unverifiable reports). This can also be used for journalistic or scientific purposes to systematically evaluate information and filter out misinformation.

Fact check platforms and sources

Germany

  • Correctiv (https://correctiv.org) - Investigative journalism and fact checks.
  • Mimikama (https://www.mimikama.at) - Education about fake news and internet fraud.
  • Tagesschau fact finder (https://www.tagesschau.de/faktenfinder/) - ARD Tagesschau fact checks.
  • dpa fact check (https://www.dpa-factchecking.com) - Fact checks by the German Press Agency.

International

  • Snopes (https://www.snopes.com) - One of the oldest fact-checking platforms, with a focus on US-American topics.
  • FactCheck.org (https://www.factcheck.org) - Independent review of political statements in the USA.
  • Reuters Fact Check (https://www.reuters.com/fact-check) - Fact checks on current news.
  • BBC Reality Check (https://www.bbc.com/news/reality_check) - Review of political and social claims.

Conclusion

The SIFT method is a practicable strategy for checking online information and strengthens media literacy. It helps to expose misinformation and make a well-founded assessment of news and sources. However, it is not a panacea and should be combined with other verification methods. Access to reliable fact-checking platforms also supports this process.

Literature