Evaluating the Quality and Validity of Health-Related Websites

Website selection and rationale

Information found on the Internet can vary substantially in terms of its quality. The purpose of this assignment is to help you systematically evaluate the quality of website information and determine its usefulness in guiding your own practice, or the health-related decisions of clients. Select a health-related website that is of interest to you and/or to the clients in your workplace. Use the criteria described in Unit 9 (Consumer Health Informatics) for determining validity of health information on the web; include other relevant supportive literature; and critique the quality of the information found on that website. Think critically about each criterion listed and why it is deemed to be important. For each criterion, ask yourself, "So what?" More specifically, consider the following: Why is this criterion important? What are the assumptions underlying the question posed? How does this criterion assist the user in evaluating the quality of the health information on the website? Would you apply the criterion with equal rigor regardless of the underlying intent of the website? Why or why not? If not, which of the criteria do you consider to be of most importance? Of least importance? Provide rationale for your responses. It is not sufficient to simply state that the website does or does not meet a specific criterion. Consider also how the quality of the information on the website is affected by its ability (or failure) to comply with the stated criteria. In other words, your critique should address the preceding questions and provide a balanced view in discussing the strengths, limitations, and areas for improvement of the website. Evaluation Criteria for Assignment 3 Provide clear rationale for the selection of the website to be evaluated  Include a brief summary of the intended audience and kind(s) of information available on the selected website  Describe the website evaluation tool and reference content on its background, purpose and use (3 marks) Include a summary of your assessment for all criteria contained in the evaluation tool when used in the evaluation of the selected website  Articulate a decision with rationale for recommending/not recommending the website  Provide evidence of application of course concepts from Unit 9 with references to sources (e.g., journal articles, web-based materials) beyond those offered in the course materials) Demonstrate scholarly format including: 4-5 pages in length, excluding title page and Reference list  Scholarly language and professional tone Correct grammar, spelling and punctuation Effective introduction and conclusion  Include accurate APA (7th edition) formatting including: Title page, headings, and subheadings Reference citations and reference list