Finding and Evaluating Science and Health Information

In this section, you can find...

Two of the most important kinds of information we look for online are about health and science. This section looks at how we get news and information about health and science topics, types of misinformation that are particularly common in those subjects, and steps we can take to determine how reliable a source or claim is.

Finding and Evaluating Science and Health Information - Introduction

Two of the most important kinds of information we look for online are about health and science. These can have a big effect on decisions we make about our own lives and our opinions on controversial issues.

Where do we get information about health and science?

While many of us strongly prefer online sources when seeking out health and science information,^[1] a majority first encounter health or science stories through traditional news outlets.^[2]

Health and science misinformation

Though health and science topics are subject to the same kinds of misinformation found everywhere, there are two types that are particularly common in these fields: denialism and snake oil.