CM1 Library Session: Evaluating a Website, Basic PubMed & Statistics Sites Mercer University Medical Libraries| 2016

Evaluating Resources Objective: Students will be able to demonstrate the ability to evaluate resources, particularly online, for: accuracy, authority, objectivity, currency, and coverage as described by MUSM library staff.

Vs.

Evaluation criteria: 1. Accuracy 2. Authority 3. Objectivity/Bias 4. Currency/Timeliness 5. Coverage

Accuracy  Is the information supported by facts?  Is the information based on scientific evidence?  How was the information collected?  Look for a methodology section  Is the original source listed?  Do other sources back up the information?

Accuracy example

Statistics resource accuracy example

Authority  Who published the information?  Is the person backed by a well-known organization?  Is the person affiliated with a university? If so, is the person a student or a faculty member?  Can you easily find contact information on the web page?  What is the domain URL? (.gov,.edu,.com,.org, etc.)

Authority example

Objectivity/Bias:  Is advertising or sponsors clearly marked?  Do the graphics, fonts, and verbiage play to emotions?  Is the author using data improperly to promote a position or a product?  Is the information showing just one point of view?  Is information left out?

Currency/Timlieness Check for publication and copyright dates on website pages Be weary of broken links (often means page has been neglected) For statistical resources: How recent is your data? Some resources present data from a mix of dates—check details, FAQ’s If historical data is available, look for trends

Currency example:

Coverage Geographical coverage: – Extent (does it cover the physical area in question?) – Granularity (in small enough chunks: state, county, etc.) Subject coverage: – Extent (does it cover the topic in question?) – Granularity (divisions between groups: percentages, quartiles, arbitrary groups)

Coverage example:

Objective: Students will be able to identify key databases, which include PubMed and other library resources, to find articles, as well as disease information as described and demonstrated by MUSM library staff. Library Website Overview & Basic PubMed Searching

Searching PubMed at Mercer:

SYPHILIS OR PREGNANCY = asthma AND influenza asthma OR influenza Boolean Terms asthma influenza asthmainfluenza

Objective: Students will identify and demonstrate effective use of county, state, and national data sources that a physician needs to conduct a Community Health Needs Assessment. Sites reviewed include: 1. America’s Health Rankings 2. County Health Rankings 3. US Census QuickFacts 4. Georgia Online Analytical Statistical Information System (OASIS) 5. OASIS Dashboards Statistics Sites

Questions? Library Session Resources & Slides available at: Contact Us: Macon: Savannah: