As access to the internet has taken the world by storm so has the availability of information on it; however, not all of this information is of the same caliber! In fact, for every site that includes evidence-based, fact-checked information there are multiple more websites that present readers with pseudo-science at best and disinformation at worst.
In this activity, you will test your keen eye for detail as you research a healthcare topic online and then evaluate it for reliability and accuracy.
Step 1: Search a Healthcare Topic Online
Try to find two different sources with information about this same topic. One should be a more reliable source that you feel presents appropriate information. One should be a less reliable, more biased source that you feel presents misleading information.
Step 2: Answer Questions
In your word processing document, list your two sources and identify which you fell is the most reliable and which you feel shows more bias. Then, using complete sentences, answer these questions:
What are some criteria you use when evaluating the reliability of a healthcare website or source?
How did you use these criteria to evaluate the two sources you found about your healthcare topic?
Discuss the source you feel has more reliable information. What led you to this conclusion?
Discuss the source you feel has less reliable information. What led you to this conclusion?
Criteria for evaluating the reliability of a healthcare website or source may include looking at the author's credentials, the publication date of the information, the presence of citations or references, the objectivity of the information, and whether the website or source is affiliated with reputable organizations or institutions.
In evaluating the two sources I found about my healthcare topic, I first looked at the author's credentials. I also checked the publication date to ensure that the information was up-to-date. I then looked for citations or references to see if the information was backed by evidence. Finally, I considered the objectivity of the information and whether the website or source was affiliated with reputable healthcare organizations.
The source I found to have more reliable information is a peer-reviewed medical journal article written by a doctor specializing in the healthcare topic I researched. The article was recently published and included numerous citations to support the claims made. The journal is well-known in the medical community, which adds to its credibility.
On the other hand, the source I found to have less reliable information was a blog post written by a self-proclaimed health guru with no medical background. The post was filled with anecdotal evidence and personal opinions, and there were no references or citations provided to support the claims made. The website hosting the blog post was not associated with any reputable healthcare organizations, further decreasing its reliability.
By using these criteria to evaluate the two sources, I was able to determine which one was more reliable and which one was less biased, ultimately making an informed decision about the information I was considering.