Tips to Evaluate Health Information on the Internet

When looking for health information on the Internet, it is important to make sure you are looking at accurate information. We have given you some starting points with the links provided. However, keep in mind what makes a reliable site-Authors, Content, Currency, Objectivity, and Organization/Design. Listed below are some questions to ask yourself when looking at web sites:

Authors

  • Who are the authors of the site?
  • Are the authors clearly identified?
  • What is the authority of the authors?
  • Are they an expert in their field?
  • Are they credible?
  • Are author affiliations given?
  • Is contact information such as address, e-mail, or phone given?
  • Do the authors clearly define their purpose?
  • What type of site is it-commercial (.com) educational (.edu) government (.gov), or organization (.org)?

Content

  • Is the information presented accurate?
  • Are references to other medical literature provided?
  • Does the site contain many dead links?
  • Does the information agree with other sources on the same topic?

Date/Timeliness

  • Does the site state when the information was last updated?
  • How frequently is the information updated?
  • Are these dates posted in plain view?

Objectivity

  • Does the site provide biased information?
  • Does it express a political or social slant?
  • How much advertising is present on the site?
  • Who provides funding for the site?

Organization/Design

  • Is the site easy-to-use?
  • Is information displayed in way so it is obvious to locate what you need?
  • If it is a large site, does it offer a search engine?
  • Is there a site map?

Other sources to read about how to evaluate web sites:

Last updated on October 7, 2008