Evaluating Internet Health Information Tutorial
You now have some clues about who is publishing each site and why. But how can you tell if the information on these websites is high-quality?
First, find out where the information comes from or who writes it. Look for phrases like "editorial board," "selection policy," "editorial policy," or "review process." They usually point you in the right direction.
To look for these phrases, let's go back to the "About Us" page of the Physicians Academy for Better Health site.
They include their editorial policy. It says that the Board of Directors reviews all medical information before it is posted on the website.
We learned earlier that these board members are mostly trained health care professionals, including doctors and nurses. So, we know that they are qualified to review and approve medical content. The board makes sure that the information on the site meets their standards for quality.
Let's see what the Institute for a Healthier Heart says about controlling the quality of their information.
You already know that a "group of individuals and businesses" is managing this site. But you don't know who these individuals are or if they are medical experts. There is no information to help you decide if these individuals are qualified to choose accurate or quality content.
So far, what do you think about the quality of information from the Institute for a Healthier Heart?