An objective analysis of quality and readability of online information on COVID-19-Reference-Cited by-同舟云学术

An objective analysis of quality and readability of online information on COVID-19

Published:2021-06-24 Issue:5 Volume:11 Page:1093-1099
ISSN:2190-7188
Container-title:Health and Technology
language:en
Short-container-title:Health Technol.

Author:

Wrigley Kelly N. E.,Murray K. E.,McCarthy C.,O’Shea D. B.

Abstract

AbstractHigh quality, readable health information is vital to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to assess the quality and readability of online COVID-19 information using 6 validated tools. This is a cross-sectional study. “COVID-19” was searched across the three most popular English language search engines. Quality was evaluated using the DISCERN score, Journal of the American Medical Association benchmark criteria and Health On the Net Foundation Code of Conduct. Readability was assessed using the Flesch Reading Ease Score, Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level and Gunning-Fog Index. 41 websites were suitable for analysis. 9.8% fulfilled all JAMA criteria. Only one website was HONCode certified. Mean DISCERN score was 47.8/80 (“fair”). This was highest in websites published by a professional society/medical journal/healthcare provider. Readability varied from an 8th to 12th grade level. The overall quality of online COVID-19 information was “fair”. Much of this information was above the recommended 5th to 6th grade level, impeding access for many.

Funder

University College Dublin

Publisher

Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Subject

Biomedical Engineering,Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology,Bioengineering,Biotechnology

Link

https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s12553-021-00574-2.pdf

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