Table 2.
Adolescents’ search and appraisal strategies
| Search/appraisal stage | Strategies | Percentage and number (n) who demonstrated strategy in search task (n = 21) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting search | Search engine selection | Using Google or default search engine | 100 (21) |
| Aim | To identify specific condition/cause | 57.1 (12) | |
| To identify treatment | 28.6 (6) | ||
| To identify general information | 14.3 (3) | ||
| Motivation | To gather information | ||
| For validation/reassurance | |||
| Search terms | Phrasing symptoms into question | 57.1 (12) | |
| Using symptoms for a key word search | 23.8 (5) | ||
| Boolean terms | 4.8 (1) | ||
| Selection of information | Selecting relevant result | Scanning for key words in search result page | |
| Scanning for “health” or “medical” in search result page | |||
| Selecting trustworthy result | Selecting website over social media | 95.2 (20) | |
| Selecting Google Featured Snippet | 52.4 (11) | ||
| Selecting top search result (excluding Featured Snippets) | 33.3 (7) | ||
| Avoiding ads or sponsored websites | 100 (21) | ||
| Selecting .gov rather than .com | 23.8 (5) | ||
| Selecting other official websites | 47.6 (10) | ||
| Selecting familiar websites | 23.8 (5) | ||
| Appraisal of information | Appraising trustworthiness | Considering layout and design | 33.3 (7) |
| Considering author | 28.6 (6) | ||
| Cross-checking | 95.2 (20) | ||
| Understanding | Searching difficult or confusing terms | 23.8 (5) | |
| Appraising relevance | Dismissing information about severe disease | 28.6 (6) | |
| Ending search | Finishing search | After cross-checking | 95.2 (20) |
| When satisfied with findings | 100 (21) |