Table 2 Adolescents’ search and appraisal strategies
From: Adolescents’ self-efficacy and digital health literacy: a cross-sectional mixed methods study
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) |