1. Understanding Health Research

2. Key Terms
Reliable data: data can be considered broadly reliable if the same results (or ones that are broadly similar) can be gained by a different researcher asking the same questions to the same (or statistically similar) groups/individuals.
Valid research: Research that produces results correctly inferred or deduced from a premise. It presents a valid conclusion.

3. Know how to evaluate health research

4. Health Literacy Become a self-directed learner
Highly Reliable Sources:
Reference Books
Peer-reviewed articles and research studies
Scholarly and scientific journals
Less Reliable Sources-consumer beware:
Magazines
Newspapers
Advertisements
Non-peer reviewed books
Television
Radio

5. The Internet Websites more likely to lead to authoritative information
Web addresses also called URL’s that end in:
.org (nonprofit organizations)
.gov (federal government)
.edu (college/university)

6. .com (commercial business)
The Internet
Websites less likely to lead to authoritative information
.com (commercial business)
Web addresses that end in .com may be reputable.
However, anyone can post on these sites, and information may be unintentionally distorted or misrepresented. Therefore, beware of biased information, frauds, and hoaxes.

7. Know how to evaluate health information

8. Health on the Net
The HON icon is a sign of trustworthiness and credibility
This icon should be present on reliable health information and medical websites

9. Popular and Useful Websites
WebMD:
MayoClinic:
MedlinePlus:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC):
Many other useful websites exist.
Do your research: do not limit yourself to only these.

10. Conclusion When conducting research:
Always use more than one source or website to
cross-check information