Health Sciences

Articles
Articles from the library's online databases provide you with the most recent, scholarly, peer-reviewed and researched information from journals, magazines and reports in health science including Nursing. See the page titled Find Articles for detailed information and links to the article databases. 

Books / eBooks
Use books to get the detailed and historical data and background information on your topic.

Reference books
Use reference books like dictionaries and encyclopedias to get the basic ideas and the exact definition on a topic. We have online databases like STAT!Ref for medical specific reference books.

Web Sites
The web can be a great source of digital information hub if you select the right sources. Try using government and educational sites for scholarly  resources. Also try genuine primary information provided by professional organizations. Check out the sites we have added on the page titled Web Sites of this guide.

 Add / Reorder  

Evaluating Websites

When looking at websites,  the URL is a big indicator of a website credibility.

.com - Commercial Site: hear commercial site, think company. These websites are either selling a product or selling data for profit.

.gov - Government:  provided data, research and resources from a government agency.

Database like Pubmed are actually a .gov website.

Keep in mind: Government agencies like NASA or the Department of Education don't author work individually but by committee. 

.edu - Education: Education websites from and educational institution such as a a four year college or similar. 

.org - Organization:  internet addresses of organizations that do not work for profit

Authority of the Source

 Questions to ask yourself when looking at a resource:

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations?
• Is the author qualified to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information for the author, or source?
• What does the URL reveal about the source?
• When was this information published? Was it updated?

What is the CRAAP Test?

CRAAP is an acronym for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. Use the CRAAP Test to evaluate your sources.

Currency: the timeliness of the information

• When was the information published or posted?
• Has the information been revised or updated?
• Is the information current or out-of date for your topic?
• Are the links functional?   

Relevance: the importance of the information for your needs

• Does the information relate to your topic or answer your question?
• Who is the intended audience?
• Is the information at an appropriate level (i.e. not too elementary or advanced for your needs)?
• Have you looked at a variety of sources before determining this is one you will use?
• Would you be comfortable using this source for a research paper?

Authority: the source of the information

• Who is the author/publisher/source/sponsor?
• Are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's credentials or organizational affiliations given?
• What are the author's qualifications to write on the topic?
• Is there contact information, such as a publisher or e-mail address?
• Does the URL reveal anything about the author or source?
  •  examples:
    • .com (commercial), .edu (educational), .gov (U.S. government)
    • .org (nonprofit organization), or
    • .net (network)

Accuracy: the reliability, truthfulness, and correctness of the content

• Where does the information come from?
• Is the information supported by evidence?
• Has the information been reviewed or refereed?
• Can you verify any of the information in another source or from personal knowledge?
• Does the language or tone seem biased and free of emotion?
• Are there spelling, grammar, or other typographical errors?

Purpose: the reason the information exists

• What is the purpose of the information? to inform? teach? sell? entertain? persuade?
• Do the authors/sponsors make their intentions or purpose clear?
• Is the information fact? opinion? propaganda?
• Does the point of view appear objective and impartial?
• Are there political, ideological, cultural, religious, institutional, or personal biases?