How to Assess the Credibility of
Information Resources on the Internet

We receive so much information nowadays coming from so many different sources that we all need to be very good at sifting and sorting good information from commercial hype and plain lies. The Internet is not really so different from sorting out junk mail or deciding which television channel to watch. Let's concentrate on World Wide Web information.

FIRST - it is important to decide what type of resource you need. There are 5 main types:

• Information sites - look for .edu, .gov, .org, or .net - for the most reliable information sites
  
• Advice and referral sites - look for their credentials, reputation or experience to see if it is credible
  
• Activist sites - some web sites are promoting a particular cause rather than providing information
  
• Chat groups - often seen as unreliable but can serve as valuable extension of your community
  
• Individual testimonials - can be interesting but not usually reliable and authoritative
  
• Commercial sites - where the main purpose is selling products, information may be biased.
  

SECOND - check out the information on the group or organization providing the site. This should be available from the home page

• Site ownership and affiliations - look for an About Us section on the owner or organization behind the site
• Sponsors - check for information on investors or sponsors and whether the content is biased by their interests
• Product information and advertising should be clearly separated from information content
• Some information is selected - it should be clear who is selecting the information, how, and why

Most high quality information sites do not sell products and advertisements - but that does not mean that all commercial sites are unreliable. Look for Health Science Libraries or University departments (the url, or web address, usually ends in .edu). Look for Government sites (ending in .gov) or non profit organizations (ending in .org). These are the most reliable.

THIRD - make sure the site is kept updated and regularly maintained

• Dates of posting and updating should be clear
  
• Links should be regularly maintained and kept up to date
  
• Look for the Hon Code seal of approval

FOURTH - you should be able to surf freely without restriction

• Viewers should not be prevented from returning to a previous site
  
• Sites should not put other sites in frames without permission or a license
  
• Sites should not automatically redirect viewers to other sites or advertising

Reliable information sites do not bombard you with advertisements, popups, and other tricks to keep you on their site.

FIFTH - if you find your searches bring up too many commercial sites, try adding "NOT .com" to your search string. This usually screens out the sites that are selling products rather than giving information

If you follow these guideline you will find the World Wide Web is still an excellent information resource for credible health information. Some of the best sites can be found in the General CAM Resources listing.

 Page Updated June, 2007