Research Guides: Medical and Health Research: Evaluating

Evaluating Health Websites

Consider the following when searching online:

Who is providing the content?
Why are they providing this information?
Where does the information come from?
Is it up-to-date?
How is the site funded?
Is there advertising on the site, and, if so, is it clearly labeled?

Important note:

The language in scientific articles has a neutral tone. Credible medical information will never have inflammatory or sensationalized language. If a claim touts a "miracle cure" or "is guaranteed to work," look elsewhere.

National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM)
For more information and resources on evaluation, including the information on this page, visit the NNLM.

Additional Sources for Evaluation

Know the Science
Information and resources from the NIH to help you better understand and evaluate health information in the news and online.
Finding and Evaluating Online Resources
Includes health information found through social media and mobile apps. Evaluation techniques targeted at general as well as complementary (alternative) health information.
Evaluating Health Information Online
Resources on evaluation through various modes: interactive tutorials, video, statistics, journal articles, and patient handouts.

PubMed Bookshelf

Both of these ebooks suggest related articles in PubMed.

Know Your Chances
Better understand health information by learning about the numbers behind the messages.
Smart Health Choices
Make sense of health information found through the media, from friends, and from health practitioners.

A Quality Source

is run by experts
has a clearly stated purpose
labels advertising
reviews information before posting it
explains the sources of data and research
is up-to-date
will not share personal information