First Year Seminar (FYS)

Don't forget about the SIFT Method! 

It's a simple, effective way to evaluate information and sources. And half the time we use it instinctively without really thinking about it! 

SIFT stands for: 

• Stop - Pause and ask yourself if you know the source and whether it's reliable. If you don't know, check! 
• Investigate the source - Look into the author or organization. What are their credentials? What is their purpose?
• Find better coverage - Look for other sources that cover the same topic. Do they agree or offer more context?
• Trace claims, quotes, and media to the original source - Go back to where the information came from to check for accuracy and context.

You're scrolling through Facebook and see that your uncle has shared a post claiming that "raw milk is healthier and safer than pasteurized milk." It sounds..... suspicious. 

Without realizing it, you may start using the SIFT method.

• Stop - You pause before accepting the claim or sharing it. It seems too good (or weird) to be true.
• Investigate the source - You check the website it came from and realize it's not a medical site, but a blog from a health influencer you've never heard of, with no scientific credentials.
• Find better coverage - You Google "is raw milk healthy" and look at articles from the CDC about how raw milk can carry dangerous bacteria like E. coli or Salmonella. There is a note that some nutrients may be slightly reduced by pasteurization, but the safety benefits outweigh the difference.
• Trace the claim - You try to find where the original quote came from and discover it's based on one person's testimonial - not real research.