Evaluation of information

Introduction It is common for people to challenge things they learn It is known that not every information is true Medical decision based on false information may deadly consequences

Introduction Internet is a major source of information for many people has no editorial board to validate its content provides both good and poor quality documents Not all published information is true Medical decision based on false information may deadly consequences One needs to assess information before using it.

Objectives Discuss the importance of evaluating information Present criteria for evaluating information Describe evaluation techniques, Evaluate some web pages

Expected outcomes One is expected to : Understand the importance of evaluating documents, Develop the habit to evaluate documents, List some evaluation criteria, Identify elements useful for evaluation purposes.

Definition Evaluate : “ determine the significance, worth, or condition of usually by careful appraisal and study” Evalution of information Critically analyze documents, Establish quality, Decide about the credit to give to documents

Reasons to evaluate Quantity of information => need to select the best documents Frequent repetition in publication => need to select updated information Presence of incorrect or false information => ensure to use correct information Information: essential for medical decision => avoid harmful consequences

Internet resources evaluation guidelines There are several guidelines on how to evaluatie internet resources HonCode : Health on the Net Code of conduct NetScoring Desire Handbook They define the criteria of good information They list important questions to ask about documents

HonConde Published HON Foundation Intended for producers of medical web site Defines 8 principles Authoritty, Complementarity, Privacy, Attribution, Justifiability, Transparency, Financial disclosure advertising policy

Criteria for evaluation (1/2) accessibility accuracy adequacy advertising policy attribution authority complementari ty comprehensive ness Links organization privacy quantitative aspects reputation of the source transparency uniqueness validity content credibility currency deontology design financial disclosure interactivity justifiability

Criteria for evaluation (1/2) Evaluation criteria can grouped into the following: Relevance to user's need Provenance of the information Information production process Content related criteria Presentation related criteria

User relevance Important questions : Who is the target audience target audience ? What is the scope of the document ? What is the reading level ? Places to find answers : Books : introduction, third party opinion, cover pages, Web page : “about” link, third party opinion, web site directories

Provenance of the information Important questions : Who produced the document ? What are the goals of the producers ? Places to find answers Books : title page, introduction, cover page, library catalogues Web resources : “about”, about the authors, web site directories

Production process Important questions : How documents are reviewed and validated ? What aspects are considered when validating ? How and where the presented informed was collected ? Places to find answers Books : are usually reviewed and edited Journal articles : are usually peer-reviewed, instructions for authors, journal policy Web resources : “about” link, our contributors

Content related Important questions : Is the information accurate, factual, correct ? Are other documents cited ? Is it possible to distinguish facts from opinions ? Places to find answers In the text : wording, affirmation, citations, quotations List of references Reader's own knowledge and expericence

Presentation Important question : How well is the content structured ? Is the language comprehensible ? Is the document easy to read ? Places to find answers Table of content, index, Text : wording, mistakes, interpretation of facts Text size, colours, quality of illustration, layout

Evaluation process Ask questions Find answers, Apply criteria while answering, Rate information Take decision

Elements to use for evaluation Meta information: catalogs, directories Printed documents Table of contents Cover pages and title page, Introductory materials List of references, Link “About”, Language : wording Document layout

Evaluation steps Before reading Use catalogs and directories to identify, filter and select While reading Look at the document different parts to find answer After reading Make a summary, Have an opinion about the document, Decide how to use the document

Exercise #1 Visit the following page on malaria treatment Find information about The author and organization responsible for the site, Sources used to produce the document After reading Do you think the document is valid ? Do you think the information is worth using ?

Exercise #2 Download the following document Find the author and his affiliation, Who is the target audience Does it cite other sources, Are fact distinguishable from opinion, Is the language correct Is the document easy to read What is your opinion about the document ?