Evaluating the Evidence: Web Sites

Abstract

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is essential to improving patient safety and the effectiveness of health care practices, but a lack of computer literacy can hinder access to and availability of EBP in the clinical setting. Accurate evaluation of web site content is essential, including determining bias, validity, and fit to a patient population. Methods to evaluate web sites and techniques for efficient access to web resources are presented and discussed.

Information Literacy: Implications for Perioperative Nurses

“…There are many different categories of levels of evidence. Hoss and Hanson 9 explicate a variety of hierarchical models that range from high strength of evidence, including systematic reviews or meta‐analysis of multiple controlled studies, to the lower level of knowledge of expert opinion. Following are some issues to explore: Authorship: Who are the authors and are they qualified?…”

New nurses apply only basic source evaluation criteria but realize their skills are lacking: More sophisticated approaches to teaching evaluation skills are required

“…Cader (2013) describes a process approach to evaluating with the following components or criteria: assessing user friendliness, assessing outlook, assessing authority, assessing relationship to nursing practice, appraising the nature of the evidence and applying cross-checking strategies. Hoss and Hanson (2008) placed evaluating websites into the context of evidence based practice and offered questions…”

“…Cader (2013) describes a process approach to evaluating with the following components or criteria: assessing user friendliness, assessing outlook, assessing authority, assessing relationship to nursing practice, appraising the nature of the evidence and applying cross‐checking strategies. Hoss and Hanson (2008) placed evaluating websites into the context of evidence based practice and offered questions for nurses to ask as they use websites. It remains unclear, however, if nurses who are aware of these criteria and questions put forth in the literature actually implemented them into their practice, or whether teaching evaluation skills using checklists is a viable approach (Meola, 2004).…”