Distinguish between different sorts of web resources

There are 6 main types:

Information sites - look for the domain ending: .edu (education), .gov (government), .org (usually nonprofit organizations), or .net (technical services ) - for the most reliable information sites

Advice and referral sites - look for the credentials, reputation or experience to see if it is a credible and responsible source of information by someone you can believe, e.g., Ask Dr. Weil

Activist sites - some web sites are promoting a particular cause rather than providing information. Some activist sites provide useful information, e.g., Health Lobby

Chat groups - often described as unreliable but can serve as a valuable extension of your community; these sites have proved an invaluable resource for people with rare diseases to share experiences

Individual testimonials - can be interesting and insightful but not usually reliable and authoritative

Commercial sites - the majority of web sites are commercial and the main purpose for these sites is selling products so information is usually biased

TIP: If you want to avoid commercial sites when performing a search and eliminate huge numbers of hits, put “NOT .com” in your search string. .

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Check out the group, individual, or organization providing the site

Look for a description of the group or organization responsible for the web site and the information. This should be easily available from the home page. Look for an About Us section. There should be clear information on ownership, affiliations, staff and, where relevant, advisory boards. If there is no About Us information be wary.

Look primarily 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 sources of impartial information.

TIP: If you want only nonprofit organizations, put "AND .org" in your search string.

Beware of "Urban Legends". These are stories that circulate on the web that either have no basis in fact or are distorted and exaggerated. Many of these "tall tales" are about contaminated food or supplements. To check out these stories, go to: Snopes.com

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Find out how the web site is funded

Check for information on investors or sponsors and whether the content is biased by their interests. If you cannot find this information be wary. Be prepared to dig deep. Sometimes a patient advocacy association may seem to be impartial but when you look carefully you may find they are being funded and influenced by a pharmaceutical company using the association as a means to sell products. See also Making Sense of Medical Research

Most high quality information sites do not sell products and advertisements - but that does not mean that all commercial sites are unreliable. Product information and advertising should be clearly separated from information content. Some reputable commercial sites provide “3rd party” information that is provided from a totally independent and impartial organization.

See, for example Green Mountain Mycosystems who use HerbMed as their only source of research information.

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Check how the information is selected and presented

Make sure you know who has written the information on a web site, the qualifications of the writer, the evidence it is based on, and whether it has been reviewed by an editorial board.

Many web sites provide links to other sites. Ensure that the selection criteria are stated. Clear categorized information resources, as supplied by Health Sciences Libraries or this site (for the Alternative Medicine Foundation) are most reliable.

Some sites "trade links" to boost their ratings in the search engines. Others provide only provide links that have been paid for. This is not a reliable way to ensure impartial information.

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Make sure the site observes ethical practices

The web site should be kept updated and regularly maintained

Dates of posting and updating should be clear

Links should be regularly maintained and kept up to date

You should be able to surf freely without restriction. Reliable information sites do not bombard you with advertisements, popup ads, and other tricks to keep you on their site or lure you away

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

There should be a clear way to navigate through the site

Reputable sites use a regular footer, or header, line to inform visitors who is responsible for the site

Navigation bars and a home page button on every page prevent visitors getting lost

Product information and advertising should be clearly separated from information content with an explicitly stated policy

Does the web site collect information about you?

If you are asked to subscribe/become a member before entering a Web site the information you provide may be sold on to another organization. Before providing an email or other personal information, check out their privacy policy

“Cookies” may be used to track which pages you view. Check and delete the cookies they leave on your computer

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Last Updated: August 16, 2006

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