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. 2013 Jun 6;9(8):1712–1719. doi: 10.4161/hv.25057

Table 6. Sub-group analysis based on website category and analysis criteria (design criteria: 1–2; content criteria: 3–8; credibility criteria: 9–12).

Criteria-based analysis Blog/
forum
Information website Press website Chi-square value “p” value
1. Clear structure and organization of content. 27.3% 81.3% 25% 13.916 0.001*
2. Easy navigation, “user-friendliness.” 72.7% 100% 62.5% 7.057 0.029*
Design criteria – overall assessment 22.7% 81.3% 18.8%  
3. Information relevance and coherence: congruence between key word search and output. 77.3% 93.8% 93.8% 3.137 0.208
4. Scientific rigor: adequate citations. In non-scientific sites, explicit mention of the fact that the site’s content does not replace the advice of a health professional. 22.7% 68.8% 18.8% 11.296 0.004*
5. Covers a wide scope on the subject and presents an accurate and comprehensive message. 18.2% 87.5% 25% 20.769 0.000*
6. Message clarity and comprehensibility. Use of understandable language 95.5% 100% 93.8% 0.950 0.622
7. Updated information, maintenance of site, mention of last content review date. 9.1% 62.5% 43.8% 12.318 0.002*
8. Presence of advertising and sponsor links on the site: clarity and transparency of such links, properly distinguished from the rest of the content. 77.3% 93.8% 68.8% 3.210 0.201
Content criteria – overall assessment 4.5% 56.3% 0%  
9. Mention of the author/s and their qualifications. Includes author / institution contact details and address. 45.5% 75% 50% 3.559 0.169
10. Scientific Association accreditations 13.6% 56.3% 12.5% 10.893 0.004*
11. Accreditation certificate or trust mark (HON, WMA, WIS, PWMC or others). 4.5% 12.5% 0% 2.455 0.293
12. Clear statement of bibliographical sources. Reliable references for specialists cited. 27.3% 75% 31.3% 9.826 0.007*
Credibility criteria: overall assessment 9.1% 31.3% 6.3%    

Association between these qualitative variables (website category and analysis criteria) was assessed with Pearson’s chi-square test (*Statistically significant association)