Credible Sources
Trust the information you read
How do you know a souce is credible?
Here are some guidelines to follow:
1.Who is sponsoring the website?
Sponsorship is important because it helps establish the site as respected and dependable. The web address can also provide information about the nature of the site. Look for .gov or .org as your credible sources.
2.How often is the site updated?
The site should be updated frequently. The date of the latest revision should be clearly posted; usually at the bottom of the page.
3.Does the site present facts and not opinions?
Information should be presented in a clear manner. Opinions should be clearly stated and should be identified by the site.
4.Who is the intended audience?
The website should clearly state whether the information is for a consumer or a health professional.
Reference: www.mlanet.org
1.Who is sponsoring the website?
Sponsorship is important because it helps establish the site as respected and dependable. The web address can also provide information about the nature of the site. Look for .gov or .org as your credible sources.
2.How often is the site updated?
The site should be updated frequently. The date of the latest revision should be clearly posted; usually at the bottom of the page.
3.Does the site present facts and not opinions?
Information should be presented in a clear manner. Opinions should be clearly stated and should be identified by the site.
4.Who is the intended audience?
The website should clearly state whether the information is for a consumer or a health professional.
Reference: www.mlanet.org
Evaluating Websites
Red Flags
If you see these red flags, the information may not be reliable:
- Information that does not state a publisher or author
- Purpose of the information is to sell a product
- Website that has not been updated recently
- Information that is biased
- No evidence is cited
- Grammar is poor
Reference: www.ucsfhealth.org