In the field of medicine and health inaccurate information abounds on the Internet. The results of using unverified information could be dangerous and even deadly. Never apply medical advice or information from the Internet without consulting a medical professional. Anyone can publish on the Net, motivated by the desire to make a profit, altruism, or even by maliciousness. Answer the questions below and score a site to gain a sense of the usefulness and reliability of the site.
Web Evaluation Checklist |
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Question to Ask |
Reason for Asking |
Overall Score |
| Is the author's name listed along with his/her credentials? | Since anyone can publish on the Web, the author's name and credentials may help to determine their authority. | |
| Is there a reputable organization that sponsors the author? | Even a reputable individual physician or nurse carries more authority if sponsored by a hospital, university, or organization. Avoid sites that have no author or sponsor. | |
| Is the information up-to-date? | If the site isn't updated frequently, chances are the information could be out-of-date. | |
| Is the purpose of the site clear? | If the purpose of the site is not clear, then the agenda of the author may be questionable (i.e., the site may have been created to sell products or persuade the user in some way). | |
| Is the page suitable for the intended audience? | A site for laypersons may contain simplified information that is incomplete or it may contain technical information more suitable for medical professionals. | |
| Does the site provide substantial coverage of the topic with relevant links? | A site that lacks in-depth information about a topic may be useless, especially if it consists entirely of links or links that are of questionable relevance. | |
| Are the sources of information documented? | This indicates accuracy of the information and whether the author used authoritative sources. | |
| Does the site express an opinion or bias, including advertising? | Biased groups and those selling products may have an ulterior motive in providing information. | |
| Is the site easy to navigate? | A poorly designed site may be a reflection of other problems that are hidden (i.e., bias, inaccurate information). | |
| Do the links work? | If links do not work, the site may be poorly designed, outdated, etc. |
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Poor |
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Weak |
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Average |
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Good |
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Excellent |
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Funded by the National Library of Medicine through the National Network of Libraries of Medicine, Middle Atlantic Region.
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