Research Guides: Public Health Education Resources: Internet Resources

Website Evaluation Tips

Check out these tips when deciding to use an online source. Always be skeptical.

Authority: Who is responsible for creating the web page? Is there a publisher or sponsor of the web page? Can you find information about the author and publisher?
Audience: Who is this web site created for? Is the content geared towards an age group or population group?
Accuracy: How does the information compare to other sources?
Content: What is the content of the web site: images, articles, a blog? The type of domain (.edu, .gov, .org) may provide some clues about the information. Can you detect a bias? Are there cited references?
Currency: How recent is the web site? Is there information on when it was last updated?

The Evaluation Center of Western Michigan University
The Evaluation Center at Western Michigan University is committed to advancing the theory, practice and use of evaluation through research, education, service and leadership.
Evaluation Tipsheets (Penn State Extension)
This site provides information on how to design and implement a useful program evaluation to improve a program, compare delivery methods, respond to stakeholders, advocate, or prepare for promotion.

These sources provide demographic and related statistics for areas in New Jersey and elsewhere in the United States.

Healthy People 2030
Healthy People 2030 continues in this tradition with the launch of its ambitious, yet achievable, 10-year agenda for improving the Nation’s health. Healthy People 2030 is the result of a multiyear process that reflects input from a diverse group of individuals and organizations.
ProQuest Statistical Abstract of the United States
The best starting place for U.S. statistics on many topics. See the kind of info you need, but want more detail? Look at the source for the data listed under the table. Print only, see catalog record for call number and availability.
State and County Quick Facts - NJ
From the U.S. Census Bureau

MedlinePlus This link opens in a new window
MedlinePlus is the National Institutes of Health's website for patients and their families and friends. Produced by the National Library of Medicine, it brings you information about diseases, conditions, and wellness issues in language that most can understand. It offers reliable, up-to-date health information in English and Spanish, anytime, anywhere, for free.

CDC WONDER
WONDER (Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research) is a web application that makes many health-related datasets available to the worldwide public health community.
Data Finder - Population Reference Bureau
Demographic and health information. Hundreds of variables for the United States and for other countries.
Global Health Observatory - World Health Organization
Not all available statistics are obvious from this page, so it's also a good idea to pick a topic of interest (such as breastfeeding or nutrition) from the sidebar to get to the data that you want.
KFF Global Health Policy
From the Kaiser Family Foundation
MEASURE Demographic and Health Surveys
A variety of vital, health, and other statistics in text or map form for 75 developing countries.
Public Health Partners
Partners in information access for the public health workforce
UNdata
Statistics from 31 United Nations databases
Women's Health
Provide national leadership and coordination to improve the health of women and girls through policy, education, and innovative programs.