SIFT is a method for evaluating sources also known as "Lateral Reading." You make a series of simple moves when considering a source. Each letter in SIFT corresponds to one of Four Moves:
Modified from Mike Caulfield's SIFT (Four Moves), which is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The first move when you are considering a source is to Stop and take a beat. What do you already know about this site? What are your goals for your research?
Now, investigate the reputation of the author, publisher, publication, or website from other online sources (not necessarily what they say about themselves).
Search Google News or Google Scholar, or dig into the library's collections through Saint Search. You can use the News scope to narrow down to just news articles if that's what you're looking for.
Identify whether the source is the original or re-reporting. Consider what context might be missing and then see if you can find the original source.
| Scholarly | Popular |
|---|---|
|
Scholarly sources include journals, academic books, dissertations that have gone through rigorous editorial review prior to publication. They are written by scientists or academics, and are geared toward an audience of scholars or students in the field. They may go through Peer Review, but not always. The publication process takes significant time, sometimes years. Characteristics:
|
Popular sources include magazines, newspapers, and bestselling books. They are written by generalists such as journalists, and are not reviewed as thoroughly prior to publication. Often published quickly, sometimes daily or weekly. Characteristics:
|
Peer Review is a process of evaluation that takes place prior to publication with the goal of publishing highest quality research. A journal sends out prospective articles to other researchers in the field, who will evaluate research design and methodology, statistical metrics, quality of graphs and charts, quality of communication, and significance of research to the field. Reviewers respond to the Journal with recommendations: Accept, Reject, or have the author Revise and Resubmit.
Characteristics:
| Primary | Secondary |
|---|---|
|
Primary sources are documents from people who experienced an event or topic. These may include:
Ex: Emily Dickinson's handwritten envelope poems |
Secondary sources are removed from the primary sources and often quote or analyze those sources. These may include:
Ex: Emily Dickinson Biography by Connie Ann Kirk |
