Evaluating SourcesBefore we dive into search strategies for finding online health information, we first need to consider what makes a good source. We will consider whether a source is trustworthy and whether it will provide information that is helpful for you.

Because of the vast quantity of information that may be found online, both good and bad, it is crucial that we are able to evaluate a source so that we can make informed decisions about our health.

The skills you learn in this section will help you to evaluate any online source, and may be useful to you when seeking other types of information as well.

Steps for Evaluating SourcesEvaluating an online source may seem daunting at first because so many diverse resources are out there. However, with practice, source evaluation will only take a few minutes if you go through the following steps:

1. Examine authority2. Consider the source’s bias3. Check for contact information4. Consider the site’s intended audience5. Check the content’s review process6. Use what you learned to evaluate the source7. Ask your doctor if you are unsure

Step 1: AuthorityThe first step in evaluating an online source is to consider its authority. Ask yourself the following questions:

•Who wrote this information?

•What organization or group is responsible for this content?

Authority: Who wrote this information?Authors of health information should meet the following criteria:

• Have medical credentials▫Look for MD, LPN, or similar abbreviations after their

name to ensure that they are qualified to provide medical information

• Are recognized experts in their field▫Try searching the author’s name on Google to see if

they have publications that have been cited by other professionals.

Authority: What organization is responsible for this content?In addition to having a well-educated author, content should be published by a reputable organization. Assess authority by doing the following:

• Check the web address.▫ In general, .gov, .edu, and .org are best

• Check the About Us section of the website. It is often linked at the bottom of the page.▫ This section should give you information about what the

organization does and can help you determine its reputation.▫ If there is no About Us section, visit the website’s homepage to

learn more about the organization.

THINK!Why should you prefer websites that have .gov, .edu, and .org addresses?

Answer:Websites with these address are run by the following:.gov = the government.edu = educational institutions.org = professional organizationsThese groups generally have high accountability and are likely to have current, accurate information.

Websites that end in .com are usually owned by private companies. These companies may not carefully curate the information they provide, and they also may be trying to sell you something.

THINK!The following slide contains an example of a webpage’s About Us section.

What is information about the website does it provide, and what is effective about this page?

Step 2: BiasYou should always check potential sources of bias to make sure that the information you find is accurate and truthful.

Ask yourself the following questions:

•Why is this organization providing this information?▫The best sources will provide information for the purpose of educating

patients.▫Avoid sources that may be driven by profit, as they may be motivated to

provide biased information

•Who funds this research or this website?▫Avoid sources that are funded by partisan groups, as they may feel

pressure to promote a particular viewpoint▫Check for sponsored content, as this may also create bias

Step 3: Contact InformationContact information provides another layer of accountability.

Trustworthy websites will have clearly marked contact information so that you may get in touch with the organization if you have questions or concerns.

Untrustworthy websites may have no contact information, or their contact information may be hard to find.

Step 4: Intended AudienceTo determine whether a source is right for your needs, consider its intended audience. If the information is not intended for individuals like you, it may not be useful for your purposes.

Sometimes, this information is listed on a site’s About Us page or its homepage.

Stick to sources intended for your age group and level of health knowledge.▫ Information intended for doctors will contain medical terminology that

may be difficult to understand.

▫ Information intended for children will be too basic and leave many questions unanswered.

Step 5: Review ProcessThe best medical websites review their content regularly to make sure that it is accurate and up to date.

You may find information about a website’s review policies on its About Us page, or it might have a specific Policies page that outlines the process. Some sites also list their medical editors.

Some websites list when an article was last updated, which can give also you an idea of how regularly content is reviewed.

THINK!Why is important to review and update articles about medical information regularly?

THINK!Why is important to review and update articles about medical information regularly?

ANSWER: Medical research is expanding rapidly, so our knowledge of medicine is constantly changing. A good review policy shows that an organization is committed to providing current, accurate information to patients.

Step 6: Evaluate the Source

Consider the information you gained from the previous steps and make an overall assessment of the source.

Note that some sources that do not perfectly meet all criteria may be okay to use.

Keep minor concerns in mind when you consider how to use the information you find.

Step 7: Check with a Doctor

If your evaluation of the source leaves you with unanswered questions, ask your doctor about his/her opinion.

Your doctor may be able to provide you with a list of trustworthy sources as well.

Review: Steps for Evaluating Sources• Review the following steps to

evaluating sources listed on the right, and try to follow each step the next time you search for health information.

• Keep in mind that source evaluation is a holistic process. If a source meets most but not all of your criteria, it is often still okay to use.

• As always, when in doubt, talk to your doctor.

Source Evaluation Checklist:1. Examine authority2. Consider the source’s bias3. Check for contact information4. Consider the site’s intended

audience5. Check the content’s review

process6. Use what you learned to

evaluate the source7. Ask your doctor if you are

unsure