What does the SIFT method recommend doing first when evaluating information sources?

• A. Surf, Identify, Filter, Tag
• B. Seek, Inspect, Filter, Trust
• C. Search, Infer, Filter, Trace
• D. Stop, Investigate the source, Find better sources, Trace claims to their origin

Answer: (D)

The focus is on evaluating information with a mindful, stepwise approach. The first step in SIFT is to Stop. Pausing before you act helps you resist rushing to trust, share, or act on what you find, which is where misinformation often spreads. After stopping, you Investigate the source—check who created the information, where it came from, its purpose, and any potential biases. This sets you up to Evaluate reliability rather than accept statements at face value. Then you Find better sources to corroborate or contrast the information with more trustworthy evidence. Finally, you Trace claims to their origin to see where the idea originated and whether it has been distorted along the way. Because this sequence starts with Stop, it best captures the essential habit of mindful scrutiny that SIFT promotes. The other options begin with actions that skip the initial pause or mix up the steps, so they don’t align with the recommended process.