Adolescents Searching for Health Information on the Internet
Author Information
Author(s): Derek L Hansen, Holly A Derry, Paul J Resnick, Caroline R Richardson
Primary Institution: University of Michigan
Hypothesis
How do adolescents search for health information using the Internet?
Conclusion
The study reveals that adolescents often struggle with finding accurate health information online due to various search behaviors and strategies.
Supporting Evidence
- 69% of observed searches were successful in finding correct answers.
- Students primarily accessed health information through search engines.
- Misspellings in search terms negatively impacted search success.
Takeaway
This study looked at how kids find health information on the Internet and found that they often have trouble getting the right answers.
Methodology
The study involved observing 12 adolescents as they searched for answers to 6 health-related questions online, recording their search strategies and outcomes.
Potential Biases
The presence of observers may have influenced the participants' search behavior.
Limitations
The sample was small and not representative of all adolescents, and the study avoided controversial health topics.
Participant Demographics
Participants were aged 12-17, with a mean age of 14; half were female, and included various ethnic backgrounds.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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