UNMC Nursing Guide 

Specialized webpages on selected topics. 

Drug/Pharmacology/Pharmacy Information Resources

Evidence Based Practice in Nursing

Grant Resources

Image Sources

Statistical Resources

Writing and Publishing in the Health Sciences

Look at the following when evaluating the quality of a website:

Source

• Can you identify the source of the information?
• Is the information signed by the author, publisher, organization?
• Are credentials for an individual author given?

Bias

• Is the information primarily objective (fact-based) or subjective (opinion-based)?
• Are potential conflicts of interest (such as sources of funding) apparent?
• Does the web site endorse products of the advertisers on its web site? A site which accepts advertising may not examine the products of the advertisers critically.

Level

• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information intended for patients or for healthcare professionals?

References

• Can the information be independently verified?
• Are references to the traditional literature given?
• Is there a respected print equivalent that can be consulted for verification if the online information is in doubt?
• Has the content of the webpage been subjected to an editorial or peer-review process?

Currency

• Is the information current?
• How often is the information updated?
• How current was the original source from which the Internet information was obtained (e.g., was it copied from a 20 year old textbook)?

Ease of Use

• Is the website easy to navigate?
• Is it well-organized?
• Does it have a search engine?
• Can you get to the information you need?

For more information view a tutorial created by the National Library of Medicine

The Health on the Net Foundation's HONcode Site Evaluation will help you evaluate how trustworthy a health related website is.