Criteria
A website containing information about diseases and disorders such as Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) should have specific standards to make it acceptable to the general public. The four most important criteria for a good website include authority, accuracy, objectivity, and coverage. When a website page covers all these tenets, it will become a reliable source to gain medical information. Beginning with authority, the website must contain high-quality information developed by people who are knowledgeable in the sector. An authoritative website is so good that it offers specific information needed to solve some of the problems that exist among a particular group of people. Since the people require information regarding a health disorder such as ADHD, the authority can be built by the author who can be an expert in the field in medicine such as a psychologist or a medical doctor. Building authority can also be done by the use of credible sources that back the information provided (How to Evaluate Website Content, University of Edinburgh)
The next important criteria that a website containing medical information should have is accuracy. Website and web pages are visited for the sake of gaining information. However, the information can either be true or not true depending on their accuracy. One of the vital attributes of an accurate website is that it is up to date because there is some information that is bound to change. As such, age is an important consideration, and the most recent websites contain the most accurate information because they are updated. Other characteristics of an accurate website are that it is free from spelling errors and that it is well-written. It is also vital to verify whether the sources used are reliable and can be confirmed.
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The third critical criteria of a good website for medical information are objectivity. A medical website such as this containing information about the ADHD must be truthful to the general public using it. The author of the website must present objective arguments that are clear and free of any biased information. Objectivity can also be achieved when the information covers various facets of the information included different points of views. Another measure of objectivity that could be assessed is whether the author of the article presents personal opinions or not. It is also noteworthy to appreciate the motives of the website with regards to how useful it is to the public domain (How to Evaluate Website Content, University of Edinburgh).
The final vital criterion that the website should have is coverage. A good website that is recommendable to the general public should cover a wide range of issues that give the public different types of information about the medical condition. It should, therefore, contain various issues including the causes, etiology, symptoms, treatment, and prevention. As such, it can be recommended to a wide range of users at various stages of the medical condition.
The Website
With regards to authority, the information found on the website is trustable. Most of the information comes from medical doctors based on the site. However, the author is not identified hence jeopardizing on its authority. Despite the anonymity of the author, there is enough information to establish the credibility of the website. Another critical tenet that builds on the authority of the website is that the contact information is provided. References are also used with one of the resources being the data drawn from the American Psychiatric Association. Also, the website has a recognizable publisher known as the ‘’Optometrist Network’’ with an associate branding.
Regarding the accuracy of the information, the author has used a number of strategies that make their work to appear reliable and true. The work is free of spelling and grammatical errors. Despite the lack of a definite bibliography, it includes information that could be verified elsewhere. However, one critical factor that jeopardizes the accuracy of the information provided on the website is that it does not give the reader a clue about its currency. No dates are given to show the last time the information was updated. Despite this, one of the sources used is reliable and verifiable in equal measure. Also, the research in the website is adequately explained with relevant information that contains scientific basis.
Most of the information provided on the website is objective, and the arguments are free from bias. The author explores on various points of view based on scientific and empirical data as opposed to personal opinions. Most arguments are made evidentially using information from the American Psychiatric Association. The website does not promote the use of any biased viewpoints because information about the ADHD is covered holistically using different theoretical basis.
Finally and most fundamentally, the website covers myriad of information regarding the topic of ADHD. The public can benefit immensely given that they will acquire critical information regarding not only the cause but also the pathology of the disorder. Some of the topics covered in the website include what is meant by attention-deficit disorder, the causes of the illness, signs and symptoms, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. As the disorder is known mainly to affect children, the author emphasizes the early signs of the disorder including how to ascertain if the child has the disease (Attention Deficit Disorder).Most of the information is covered holistically in a comprehensive manner hence making the website an important resource to read and to seek redress in case of any questions.
References
Attention Deficit Disorder http://www.add-adhd.org/ADHD_attention-deficit.html
How to Evaluate Website Content, University of Edinburgh https://www.ed.ac.uk/information-services/library-museum-gallery/finding-resources/library-databases/databases-overview/evaluating-websites
