The number of nutrition-related websites seems infinite. Unfortunately, determining the credibility of these websites is a challenge. Fortunately, there are criteria that you can use to evaluate the credibility of a website. In this module you will begin to develop and refine those skills.
During Week 3, you will search the internet and select for review a website that is designed to increase the user’s understanding of a nutrition-related health concern (for example, diabetes, high cholesterol, irritable bowel, etc.). Submit your website review by the end of Week 3.
Check out these criteria for evaluating websites and follow the format given below:
Scientific journals contain articles that have been reviewed by the authors’ qualified peers to ensure reliability. Articles in news publications often are not as reliable. The same holds true for articles or books from the popular press, which may present a particular author’s point of view, which may not be valid or defensible. It is important to read information with a critical eye!
Websites should be approached critically as well. If you were to receive a health newsletter in the mail you would probably ask yourself a few questions before trusting its content and applying what you read to your lifestyle. For example, you would probably look differently at a newsletter from a prestigious medical college than one from a nutrition supplement outlet. It’s equally important to check the credibility and credentials of websites. When browsing the Internet for this website review activity, as part of your research on your final project, or for your own information, you should answer these questions in order to critique websites:
WHO owns the site? Is it connected with a college, museum, textbook publisher, retail store, business group, special interest group or an individual?
WHAT is the site’s purpose? Is it to provide educational resources, foster communication among scientists, market a product, attract votes, increase political clout, or generate support for a special interest group? If the site is sponsored by a special interest group, is that made clear from the outset?
HOW is the site listed? Did you find it through the search of a general topic? Was it linked through a reputable organization? In other words, does the particular site come with a set of references and reliable antecedents?
WHO is likely to use the site? Who appears to be the target audience based on vocabulary used, level of education assumed or types of graphics, charts and links supplied? For example, is it geared toward children, college students, consumers, or professional scientists?
WHEN was the site copyrighted and when was it last updated? At the bottom of most websites, you can find the copyright date and often a note of when it was last updated. This will give a sense of how well the site is maintained, how current the information is and how reliable the links will be.
WHAT is your opinion? In your presentation to the class for this assignment, be sure to answer all the questions listed. Also, include a section on your opinion of the website and what information you learned by reading and reviewing the site. Do you recommend it? Did you learn useful information? What was the best feature?
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