Question

As access to the internet has taken the world by storm so has the availability of information on it; however, not all of this information is of the same caliber! In fact, for every site that includes evidence-based, fact-checked information there are multiple more websites that present readers with pseudo-science at best and disinformation at worst.

In this activity, you will test your keen eye for detail as you research a healthcare topic online and then evaluate it for reliability and accuracy.

Step 1: Search a Healthcare Topic Online
Try to find two different sources with information about this same topic. One should be a more reliable source that you feel presents appropriate information. One should be a less reliable, more biased source that you feel presents misleading information.

Step 2: Answer Questions
In your word processing document, list your two sources and identify which you fell is the most reliable and which you feel shows more bias. Then, using complete sentences, answer these questions:

What are some criteria you use when evaluating the reliability of a healthcare website or source?
How did you use these criteria to evaluate the two sources you found about your healthcare topic?
Discuss the source you feel has more reliable information. What led you to this conclusion?
Discuss the source you feel has less reliable information. What led you to this conclusion?