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Finding information on the Internet can be hard. Finding reliable and trustworthy information can be even harder. Evaluate every site you enter. Start by asking yourself a few simple questions every time you visit a new site, such as:
Is It Relevant?
Is this Web site on the subject you are interested in?
This may seem obvious, but once you start clicking, it is easy to get distracted. Before you know it, you are off exploring sites unrelated to your original subject. Also, Web sites may contain information that is related to your topic, but may not apply directly to you or your situation.
Are the Authors Credible?
Who created this Web site? Who is in charge of the contents of the site? A doctor? A company? An organization? A cancer survivor? Is the author's background clearly stated? If a group is responsible, is it well known and reliable (e.g., the Canadian Cancer Society)? If the author is not an "expert" on the subject, do they say who they are, e.g., "I am a cancer survivor"?
Example:
Breast Cancer Action
Breast Cancer Action is a survivor-directed, voluntary organization. This fact and their mission statement are clearly stated on the first page of their Web site.
What is the Nature of the Content?
Is data provided to support a specific treatment or course of action e.g. a research study? Are all sides of the issue given or, if not, is that fact made clear? Be very careful when a site promises "amazing results" or "secret cures", or if they ask you for money.
Example:
Cancer Care Ontario Clinical Practice Guidelines (Hematology) provides published and unpublished evidence summaries for their practice guidelines.
Is It Up-To-Date?
Is there a date to show when the Web site was made and/or updated? Is there a date showing when an article was written or when the information was placed on the Web site? Is the site often updated to reflect current changes (e.g., new treatments)?
Example:
Cancer.gov
While the main page of this Web site does not have a date on it, each article on the cancer.gov Web site has a date letting you know the last time the article was revised or updated.
Is There Full Disclosure?
Is the author's interest and/or purpose made clear? Could there be any bias or conflict of interest? (e.g., the author might want you to buy a product) Does the site list the contact information (more than just email), such as a phone number and address and is this information easily found? If you have to register to use this site, is the reason clear? Will they keep the information private? Will they use your email to send you advertising? Make sure you have the option to say no. If the site wants information from you, do they tell you why?
Example:
Canadian Cancer Society
Each page has two "Contact Us" access points, one at the top and one at the bottom. Contact information includes mailing address, phone, fax and email.
Is It Friendly and Easy-To-Use?
Can you easily find your way around the site? Is the information presented in a clear way?
Example:
Cancer.gov
The home page of this site presents clear subject headings with bulleted subheading underneath so that you have a good overview of what the site contains immediately. The tabs at the top allow you to easily change subjects from any page at any time.
Are There Clear Health Warnings?
Does the site clearly state that health information should not be taken as health advice or replace a visit to your doctor?
Example:
My Thyroid.com
The disclaimer on this site is on the first page and one of the first items you see.
There is probably not a single Web site on the Internet that will meet ALL the criteria listed above, but how many and which ones should give you a good idea about the reliability of the information provided. Use your judgment and remember that you should always see your doctor or nurse before acting on any of the information you find.
Evaluation Tools
Finding relevant and reliable information on the Internet can be very challenging. There are a number of excellent guidelines that have been developed to help you evaluate the quality of the material that you find.
Evaluating Web Pages, University of California Berkeley Library
Evaluating Information Found on the Internet, the Sheridan Libraries of Johns Hopkins University
The DISCERN Instrument, a useful tool for assessing a broad range of consumer health information on the Internet, is available at URL:
Quackwatch, operated by Stephen Barrett, MD
Quackwatch features a special section for alternative cancer therapies.
References:
Canadian Health Network. Things to Think about When Seeking Health Information. [1998; cited 15 December 1999]. http://www.canadian-health-network.ca/html/help/checklist1.html
Wolfgram Memorial Library Information Gateway, Widener University. Checklist for an Informational Web Page. [rev. 11 September 1999; cited 27 December 1999]. http://www2.widener.edu/Wolfgram-Memorial-Library/webevaluation/inform.htm
BMJ. March 9, 2002; 324(7337). http://bmj.com/content/vol324/issue7337/
Evaluating Web Resources: A Bibliography. Lister Hill Library of the Health Sciences. http://www.uab.edu/lister/evalnet.htm
The Internet as a Source for Current Patient Information. JH McClung, RD Murray, & LA Heitlinger. Pediatrics 1998 Jun; 101(6): E2-E4.
