Health information can be confusing and overwhelming!
To help you assess it for yourself, here are some basic factors to consider.
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Authority: The source of the information.
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- Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
- What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic? Are their credentials or organizational affiliations listed?
- Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source? examples: .com, .edu, .gov, .org, .net
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Currency: The timeliness of the information.
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- When was the information posted?
- Has the information been revised or updated?
- Are the links functional?
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Accuracy: The reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the informational content.
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- Where does the information come from? Are sources cited in footnotes, a bibliography, etc?
- Is the information supported by evidence?
- Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
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Objectivity: The reason the information exists.
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- What is the purpose of the information? To inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
- Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
- Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda? Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
- Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?
Adapted from a document created by Sarah Blakeslee at Chico State's Meriam Library.
To summarize, here are some red flags to watch out for:
- Anonymous information.
- A conflict of interest.
- One-sided or biased information.
- Outdated information.
- Claim of a miracle or secret cure.
- No evidence is cited.
- Poor grammar and misspelled words.
- Outlandish claims or emotional language.
Red flags from UCSF Health article, "Evaluating Health Information".
See our guide to Fake News for a deeper dive into determining the reliability of information.
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