Direct Observation of Searching for Online Health Information: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence

Authors

  • Paul Branscum
  • Logan Hayes
  • Lorraine Wallace

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2016.154

Keywords:

internet, online information seeking, health literacy

Abstract

Few studies have been conducted to explore how individuals objectively attempt to retrieve health information using some type of observational method. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to systematically describe and summarize studies employing a direct observational method, and/or video/audio recording program, to examine how individuals actively search for online health information. Eleven articles were found to be acceptable. Overall, studies contained fairly small sample sizes, used mostly college students, and no study explicitly recruited any racial or minority groups. Implications for future research and practice is discussed.

Author Biographies

Paul Branscum

Paul Branscum PhD, RD, Assistant Professor, The University of Oklahoma
Department of Health and Exercise Science, Phone: (405) 325-9028, Fax: (405) 325-0594

Logan Hayes

Logan Hayes MS, CHES, The University of Oklahoma, Department of Health and Exercise Science, Phone: (405) 325-9028, Fax: (405) 325-0594

Lorraine Wallace

Lorraine Wallace, PhD, Director, Undergraduate Research Office, Director, AHEC Clear Health Communication Program, The Ohio State University, Phone: (614) 688-3327

Published

2020-11-12

How to Cite

Branscum, P., Hayes, L., & Wallace, L. (2020). Direct Observation of Searching for Online Health Information: A Systematic Review of Current Evidence. American Journal of Health Studies, 31(4). https://doi.org/10.47779/ajhs.2016.154

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