*How to assess web site credibility*
*Publication Date:* January 2010
*Volume:* 45-5
*Author:* Richard Schenkar
*Categories:* Practical resources, Internet, Resources

Recent disclosures concerning the credibility of information on climate
change raise an issue of how one might reasonably assess scientific
credibility of Internet data. The uncomfortable reality is that we, the
users, must now assess Internet data credibility on our own without the
aid of editors or other screeners as a result of the speed of change and
the volume of data we can access online.

A recent posting (dated December 10, 2009) on the widely-read weblog
Slashdot suggested that. . .

    This [climate change data controversy] has harsh implications for
    the credibility of science generally. Hard science, alongside
    medicine, was one of the few things left accorded automatic stature
    and respect by most untrained lay persons. But the average person
    reading accounts of the East Anglia emails will conclude that hard
    science has become just another faction, as politicized and messy
    as, say, gender studies. While nothing interesting was found by
    most scientific journals . . . the attacks against scientists in
    these leaked e-mails for proposing opposite views will recall the
    reader to the persecution of Galileo.

One web site does offer a series of eight criteria useful in assessing
Internet information credibility. It is from the Health On the Net
Foundation, online at http://www.hon.ch. The Foundation uses these
criteria to assess Internet data:

*Authoritative information: *The site provides general information about
the organization or individual responsible for its operation and
content, and a person is named as editor or principal author. Where the
site provides medical or health information or advice it is by medical
or health professionals whose training or credentials are listed. Where
information or advice is offered by non-medical professionals or
organizations, the web site makes a clear statement or a disclaimer.

*Complementary Information: *The site states that information provided
there is meant to complement and not replace any advice or information
from a health professional. The site also indicates the indicated
mission and audience of the site.

*Privacy and Confidentiality: *The privacy and confidentiality policies
regarding e-mail, personal, and medical information are displayed on the
web site. The site and its mirrors respect the legal requirements,
including those concerning medical and personal information privacy,
that apply in the country and state of their location.

*Documented, Referenced and Dated Information:* The last modification
date is provided for the site. Where the site contain information from
external sources, there are references, hypertext links (valid and
regularly checked), or bibliographic citations to the source data.

*Claim Justification:* If claims are made relating to the benefit or
performance of a specific medical treatment, commercial product or
service, they are supported by clear references to scientific research
results, published articles or other valid data.

*Website Contact Details: *A valid e-mail address for the webmaster or a
hypertext link to a valid contact form is easily accessible throughout
the site.

*Funding Source Disclosure:* Sources of the funding of the site are
clearly described.

*Advertising Policy:* Where advertising supports the site, a page
provides a description of the banner and advertising policy, along with
a description of economic benefit derived from the exchanges. If there
is advertising, there is a clear separation between editorial content
and advertising.