There are numerous sources that provide information about
health related topics such as vaccines. Content on the internet is not
regulated so anyone is able to publish anything (2). However, knowing what
sources are providing you with accurate information can be very overwhelming
when a google search can provide a million search hits, since sound medical
information is available but so is dangerous information (2). It is very
important to know how to assess the quality of a source whether it be journals,
a website, or other sources (3). In this post there will be some tips to
help you discern information on the internet.
When looking for a source you have to make sure it is
credible. There are a couple critical criteria that should be taken into consideration
when assessing a source. Such as the accuracy, authority, the bias or
objectivity, how current it is, and the coverage of information (2).
Keep these
questions in mind when assessing the credibility of a source (2, 3):
- Who is the publisher?
- Who are the authors
- What are the authors credentials?
- Why was the page created?
- Is the information accurate
- Is the information objective or biased?
- Are they trying to sell you something?
- What is in it for them (or is there a hidden agenda)?
- Is the information peer reviewed?
Any journal or source pulled from the internet should have an
author listed. In addition to an author, then see if the source is likely to be
fair, objective, unbiased, and does not have hidden motives (3). Ask the
following: Why was the page created? What is in it for them? and Are they
trying to sell something (2)?
Make sure to examine the authors credentials carefully and
determine if the author or organization has the required expertise and or training
to be able to the information. This is especially important when it comes to
health related information (2,3). So if the information is provided by medical institution,
or government health agency then the credibility is increased (3). However,
make sure that the organization is known because just because they seem to have
legitimate name such as American Association for Cancer Therapy, it could
actually be an organization that is operating from someone’s basement (2). If
the source is not an organization then see if the author is affiliated with a
university, and see if they are a student or faculty member (2).
A credible source has also gone through peer review by a
panel of professionals within the field and to the credibility of the
information being presented. If the publishers or authors, contact information
is listed in the form of a mailing address or phone number then this also may
add to the credibility (3). On the site see if you are able to locate their
about us section, usually in this section it is able to tell you their purpose
(2).
You need to also pay attention to the domain name before you click. The
domain name or web address is able to give a clue about the identity of the
publisher (2,3):
- .edu – this information is published by an organization that is associated with an educational institution such as a university (2, 3).
- .gov – this information belongs to a governmental organization (2, 3).
- .org – this information belongs to a nonprofit organization (2, 3).
- .com – belongs to a profit company (2, 3).
- Pages with tilde (~) means that it is a personal page (2).
The source should also have information that is supported by evidence
in peer reviewed scientific studies, other data or expert opinion (2). If the
information is from a scientific journal, then look at the sample size sample
(big or small). Read the article carefully and pay close attention if the
author mentions any limitation or weaknesses of the study (3). The studies that
are randomized and controlled are most reliable, however if other studies are
peer reviewed then may also be credible (2, 3). If the information is from a
secondary source such as an internet site or a newspaper article, then it is
important to keep in mind that this is more the interpretation of the
information. For these sources it is really important to see if the author has
any bias (2,3). Newspaper articles are good to get only general information
however, they lack expertise that comes from journal article or a national
organization that may specialize in the field you are looking into (2,3). If
you need to make medical decision, then do not get your information from news article
instead get your information from a doctor and other credible source in order
to come to a final decision (3). However, make sure that the information you
are looking at has been recently updated, especially if it is related to health
care since information in this field is constantly changing (2,3).
When going onto a source, even though now you know what a
good source should be there are some red flags that you should be aware of. If
the source does not have an identifiable author or publisher, unless the
information they are presenting is also backed up by other sources then they
may meet the criteria (3). However, make sure the source is providing all of
the information since sometimes they might not disclose all the information or
might have a bias that that is difficult to notice because it is subtle. Even
though the information is correct, it could have a bias because of the perspective
or stance the source is taking (3).
It is important, especially when
health related that the information you are reading has been updated. New
discoveries are always being made, so it important to have updated information.
Be especially skeptical about any source that tries to sell you anything,
especially if its marketed as to cure all or if it has “miraculous results”
(3). Also if the source has bad grammar or spelling errors, then this indicates
poor quality control and you should be cautious of the source in question (2,3).
Also be aware that groups on Facebook,
forums, severs such as internet chat rooms and bulletin boards are usually experiences
of an individual and does not necessarily apply to you. Although they provide
information, there is no guarantee the information is credible or accurate. Any
individual, regardless of the status of their expertise is able to give advice
(3).
An example of a credible is the CDC. The CDC’s vaccine
information is a credible source and reliable for up to date information. The information
they have on vaccines and immunization is well researched, written, approved by
experts (physicians, researchers, epidemiologists, and analysts). The content
that they post is peer reviewed and most pages are reviewed yearly (1).
Resources:
- Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention. (2018, July 12). Vaccines: Vac-Gen/Finding
Credible Vaccine Information. Retrieved April 30, 2020, from https://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vac-gen/evalwebs.htm
- National
Institute of Health, & National Library of Medicine. (n.d.). Evaluating
Health Websites. Retrieved April 30, 2020, from https://nnlm.gov/initiatives/topics/health-websites
- UCSF Health.
(2019, October 31). Evaluating Health Information. Retrieved April 30, 2020,
from https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/evaluating-health-information
