How to determine a reliable source ?

Website 1

As technology advances, the Internet became one of the most important media people use to receive information and news. However, not all the sites are worth reading as they may not be a reliable source. Today, I am going to help you determine whether the website you are browsing is a reliable source so that you can make  the right decision towards your health. I am going to show you five mistakes you can find on the websites that are lack of credibility.

On the right side it is an example of a website that is lack of credibility. The first thing you can notice is that its advertisements filled up a large part of the site. And a lot of them are promoting certain products. The websites like this may have bias because they are encouraging readers to purchase the products on their advertisements. Therefore, wrong information may be given in order to convince the readers to purchase certain products.

Notice at the end of the article, the source is stated from its own website. It is not convincing for the readers. Often the references play a key role in an article. An article with creditable, known references will make the readers believe in its information. Siting from its own does not do a very good job to make the reader believe in its content. 

Also, a website that is lack of credibility contains inaccurate information. As above site states that "the FDA doesn't have much regulatory power over supplements as it does over drugs"(Prevention, 2011). However, as the below one states that the "FDA monitors its safety and can take action to ban or recall dangerous products. Indeed, the FDA has banned the sale of supplements containing ......"(Mayoclinic, 2012)

This site looks more creditable as it doesn't have much advertisements and it has a complete list of references which are reliable sources. (Left and below)

The website on the right states that the diet pill is bad for you in short term, however, from the above website it explains that it also harms you in the long term.

The last thing to determine if it is a reliable source is to see if it has an author. It tends to be a commercial website if the author's name is not clearly stated.

At the end, I hope these tips can help you determine a creditable and reliable websites to help you when making decision on your personal health issues.

Reference

(Feb 11,2012) Weight Loss. Mayoclinic. Retrieved Feb 25,2012. From   http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/weight-loss/HQ01160

Jacqueline. Are diet pills bad?. Seventeen. Retrieved Feb 25, 2012 From http://www.seventeen.com/health/tips/nhqa-092007

Hs, Syd.(April 04, 2008) The bad effect of diet pills on your health. Ezine@articles. Retrieved Feb 25,2012 From http://ezinearticles.com/?The-Bad-Effect-of-Diet-Pills-On-Your-Health&id=1089515

Trebilcock, Bob. (November 2011) If your diet drug works...its bad for you. Prevention. Retrieved Feb 25,2012. From http://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/diets/diet-pill-dangers-truth-behind-weight-loss-supplements