Tips for Using:
SPH Portal
When Should I Use the Web?
As you approach your research question, you will first want to determine which types of sources to consult. Remember consulting textbooks (both in print and electronic formats), journal literature, information from the Internet and experts are all viable options.
Internet resources are most appropriate for:
- Consumer Health Questions
- Example: Where can I find heart disease information for someone who speaks Spanish?
- Consult: MedlinePlus
- Practice Guideline Questions
- Example: Where can I locate protcols for assessing community environmental health?
- Consult: NACCHO (National Association of County and City Health Officials)
- Legal Information Questions
- Example: What are the seatbelt laws in Massachusetts?
- Consult: Massachusetts Government General Court
- "Direct-to-the-source" questions where you can identify a professional organization or government agency that would produce or "cover" each kind of information
- Example: What does the American Academy of Pediatrics recommend for preventing Silent Infant Death Syndrome?
- Consult: American Academy of Pediatrics
- Statistical Information Questions
- Example: How many Caesarian sections were performed in Massachusetts in 2004?
- Consult: Massachusetts Department of Public Health
Note: If you use websites to answer your research questions, please make sure that you evaluate the quality of the information you have found. For more information on determining website quality check out: Evaluating Internet Information.
Additionally, to aid in selecting high-quality websites you can use the Library's Subjects A-Z resources, which list many quality-filtered weblinks.