Before using a source in your research, you should consider whether it provides accurate and reliable information.
The four steps described in the SIFT method (developed by Mike Caulfield) provide some guidance about how to evaluate information sources. This method can also be used to evaluate information supplied by generative AI tools.
Stop
Before using a source in your research, stop and reflect upon the source. Consider:
- Are you familiar with the source (e.g., the website or journal in which it appears)?
- What do you know about the claims it is making?
- What is your purpose? How will you use the information, and what kind of source do you need to meet your purpose?
When reflecting upon information from a generative AI tool, consider whether the information seems credible. Does anything seem off, strange, or inconsistent with what you know or have read?
Investigate the source
Learn more about the source itself. Consider:
- What kind of source is it?
- Who wrote the information and what is their expertise?
- What entity published the source and what is their purpose or agenda?
- Is this source trustworthy?
When investigating information received from a generative AI tool, look up any specific sources, authors, or experts described in the AI output by using a tool like Library Search, Google Scholar, or a search engine. Since AI tools may hallucinate, make sure that the sources or people described by the tool do, in fact, exist.
Find better coverage
Look for other sources that can provide information on this topic and can verify (or contradict) the claims made in the original source. Consider:
- Can you find other sources on this topic?
- Can you find better, more credible sources on this topic?
- Do other sources verify and/or provide a consensus about the claims being made?
When finding better coverage for information received from a generative AI tool, try searching for sources in Library Search, Google Scholar, or a subject-specific database, like Business Source Complete, PsycINFO, or PubMed. You can also get help with finding reliable sources from your librarian.
Trace back to the original context
Trace any claims, media, or quotes made or provided in the source back to their original context. For example, does a website refer to scientific journal article, and if so, can you find and reference that article? Does a blog post quote an expert, and if so, can you find the source of the original quote to understand its context? Consider:
- Does the source share where the information came from?
- If information was summarized or repeated from another source, can you find the original?
- What is the original context in which the claim, media, or quote appeared?
- Can you verify that the claim, media, or quote is accurate and has been accurately presented?
When using information from a generative AI tool, verify any claims, images, arguments, or quotes it provides by finding reliable sources. Remember that information provided by AI tools will not always be correct, so make sure to find and review original sources of information that have been written by experts.