Evaluating Websites and Other Sources
Before you rely on ANY type of information (websites, media, books, articles), you should evaluate whether the source is credible. There are many different approaches. Regardless of the approach you use, be sure to evaluate! If you have questions about how to evaluate, ask your librarian.
Evaluating Information: Media SourcesHow do you know if the article you found is good enough to use for your assignment? Use these videos to learn strategies for evaluating sources whether you find them on the Internet, in the library, or in the library’s databases.
- Evaluating Sources Using Comparison and CorroborationA method for thinking critically about the credibility of web sites.
- Evaluating Information Sources Using the 5WsOER Commons-hosted and Creative Commons-licensed tutorial by Rachel Radom.
- Evaluating scientific claims (or, do we have to take the scientist's word for it?)Published by Scientific American(2011), but still relevant.
Hints about Site Evaluation and Examples of Inappropriate Sites for Professional Health Information
- Examples of Inappropriate Health Web SitesProvides links to web sites that are not credible due to their purpose. Also links to sites that are credible, but are not appropriate for this class because they are not geared to health professionals.
Recommended Websites
This is NOT an exhaustive list, but they are reputable health care websites that provide information for professionals to get you started. Please use the information intended for professionals because some of these sites also provide information intended for patients. If you have questions, please ask a librarian.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Browse under "Health and Safety Topics". Choose sections labelled "Clinical and Laboratory Guidance", Publications & Products-->Reports. When in doubt, anything with the keywords clinical, professional, or educator in the title are intended for health professionals. Keywords like "brochures" and "fact sheets" are more likely to indicate the source is intended for a more general audience (that is, readers who do not have health care training or experience).
- American Heart AssociationLook for sections and pages labeled for Professionals.
- National Cancer InstituteChoose links labelled "health professional" not "patient".
- National Institutes of Health (NIH)-Institutes, Centers, and OfficesLinks for the 27 offices and centers of the NIH. Some of these sites contain information for health professionals. Many of them contain information intended for patients/consumers, so be sure to focus on the information for professionals. Again, words such as "clinical" or "research" often indicate information intended for health professionals. If the page presents more basic information such as general definitions or is labelled with general terms like "health topics" or "health information", it is more than likely intended for the general public.
Advanced Web Searching
IMPORTANT: You must EVALUATE all the websites you find for credibility and appropriateness. The sites linked at the top of this page provide information to help you do this.
Do not use a source if you cannot establish its credibility, authority, or appropriateness. If you are still unsure after using the evaluation methods on this page, discuss your concerns with your instructor before using the source.
- Google: Inside SearchThese pages give you tips and tricks beyond basic web searching.
Professional Nursing Associations
- Professional Nursing AssociationsList of selected professional nursing organizations compiled by nurse.org . Not exhaustive. Associations can provide useful information about nursing practice.
- Nursing : scope and standards of practice / American Nurses Association3rd edition. 2015. Extremely LIMITED online access. Only one user at a time from Wright State. Also very limited page downloads. Use and log off to allow other users to access.
- Nursing : scope and standards of practice / American Nurses Association2010. 2nd edition. Paper only. In Dunbar Library on course reserve at the first floor circulation desk.
Ask Us
Questions?
Ask your librarian!
More research guides
- Citing Your Sources-APASeveral good sources to help you with APA style. The Purdue OWL is particularly recommended for easy to understand examples.