IHC Application Checklist: SciPICH Results
Name of Application:
The Science Panel on Interactive Communication and Health
Web site
URL: http://www.health.gov/scipich
Background of Developers/Sponsors
Is the identity of the developers and sponsors
clearly stated?
Yes. On the About
SciPICH page, it is stated that the Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion,
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has sponsored this Web site as a free
informational service to the public.
Do the developers have expertise (or use experts)
in the content area?
Yes. The panel and
staff members who created this site have combined
expertise in medicine, public health, communication, and new technologies. Their
credentials and current positions are available in the About
SciPICH section.
Is there a mechanism to contact the developers?
Yes. Listed at the bottom of every page is a "comments"
e-mail link, SciPICH@nhic.org, and link to the
site's Feedback form, located on the navigation bar.
Does the application disclose any potential
conflicts of interest or biases of the developers and sponsors?
Such conflicts are not noted. On the About SciPICH page, it is stated that this
informational Web site is sponsored by the U.S. government and provided as a free service
to the public.
Purpose
Does the application state its specific purpose?
Yes. The opening paragraph on
the home page states that the site was developed to help people learn about, evaluate, and
select interactive health communication (IHC) applications.
Does the application state the intended audience(s)
and specific health issue(s) it addresses?
Yes. The site is intended for those who would like help in
evaluating and selecting IHC applications. In the "About
SciPICH" section, users can select Site Tour for
a quick overview of site features and audiences who might be interested in this
information. The Interactive Health Communication
section offers an introduction to those new to the topic, and the Evaluation Reporting Template area appeals to developers,
users and purchasers of IHC. The Resource Center
may interest researchers and others looking for IHC-related references and other
resources. The Publications section offers links to
the panel's published works.
Do the application’s purpose and objectives
match the likely needs of its intended users?
It seems that through this Web site, the panel is
addressing public informational needs identified in their research and collaborative work.
Content
Is the original source(s) of the content
identified?
Yes. On the About
SciPICH page, it states that the content provided was either created or reviewed by
SciPICH members.
Is the original source(s) of the content likely to
be reliable and without bias?
Yes. However, on the About SciPICH page, it is stated that the SciPICH
cannot control and is not responsible for content found on Web sites other than its own.
Is the content updated sufficiently to ensure that
it is accurate and up-to-date?
Yes. As the field of IHC changes, so will the content
of this site. Content revisions and
updates are planned on a monthly or as requested basis and are referenced at the bottom of
each Web page.
Is the application’s method of ensuring the
validity of its content reasonable?
Yes. On the About
SciPICH page, it states that SciPICH members, liaisons, and staff meet regularly to
discuss and review all collaborative work and related products, such as this Web
site. Also, the original articles produced by the SciPICH have all been accepted for
future publication by peer-reviewed scientific journals.
Confidentiality
If relevant, does the application specify whether
and how users' confidentiality or anonymity is protected?
Yes. This information is found on the Privacy and Confidentiality of Submissions page, which is
linked off the navigation bar found at the bottom of each page.
If relevant, does the application specify who has
access to information about its users?
Yes. This information is found on the Privacy and Confidentiality of Submissions page, where it
is stated that this site will collect e-mail and contact information from visitors who
voluntarily register their IHC applications with using the Evaluation Reporting Template.
Design
Is the application easy to use?
If it is not easy, I am able to address this
concern by filling out the Feedback form, which asks
visitors to offer suggestions for Web site improvement, comments, or report bugs that need
to be fixed.
Are the reading/comprehension level, graphics, audio,
and other multimedia features appropriate for the intended user?
Yes.
Does it require special and/or high level technology?
No, the site requires an Internet connection and Web
browser software.
Evaluation Results and
Effectiveness
Do the developers provide any evaluation results about
the effectiveness or impact of the application in the following areas?
Not at this time.
If yes, please identify:
__ usability of application
__ user satisfaction
__ changes in user knowledge or attitudes
__ changes in health behaviors
__ changes in health status (morbidity or mortality)
__ changes in costs or use of resources
If evaluation results are
available:
Did the application specify the funding source
for the evaluation and potential conflicts of interest of the evaluators?
Not applicable
Was the evaluation conducted with people similar to
the intended target group of the application?
Not applicable
Did the evaluation compare users to non-users?
Not applicable
If yes, were
evaluation participants randomly assigned to being users or non-users?
If no, did the evaluation results include a rationale for
caution and other possible explanations for the results? |
