Transcript Evaluating Clinical Laboratory Publications and Websites

Evaluating Clinical Laboratory
Publications and Websites
Jonathan Chang
Trade Magazines
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Websites
Trade Magazine
Microbe
• Title: Sugar-Coating Bacteria with Lipopolysaccharides
- Score = 1: The title is vague but interesting. The phrase “Sugar-Coating”
can imply multiple connotations. Is the article about attaching sugars to
bacteria, or is it about reducing pathogenicity in bacteria with
liposaccharides?
• Author: Andrew C. McCandlish and Thomas J. Silhavy
- Score = 2: Short biography tells readers that the authors have Ph.D.s.
• Content: Lipopolysaccharide synthesis
- Score = 2: Writing is easy to understand. Clearly defines known
mechanisms as well as unknown mechanisms. Descriptive diagrams.
Trade Magazine
Microbe (continued)
• Credibility
- Score = 1: While credentials were given, figures and diagrams
were not cited. Suggested readings were provided, however,
many were published by the same author.
• References
- Score = 0: No references listed.
• Conclusion: I need to find other sources to verify information
presented in this article.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Article
Science
• Title: CD14, A Receptor for Complexes of Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and
LPS Binding Protein
- Score = 2: Title is understandable and concise.
• Abstract
- Score = 2: Provides further information which supports the title. Defines
key terms. Suggests implications of the research.
• Introduction
- Score = 2: Various molecules are defined and discussed. The researchers
seek to discover potential functions of these molecules through their
interactions as complexes.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Article
Science (continued)
• Discussion
- Score = 2: Authors clearly state results and their significance.
They conclude that CD14 receptors bind complexes which help
remove gram-negative pathogens during infection.
• Acknowledgments
- Score = 2: Authors thank individuals who edited the
manuscript and contributors of grants.
• Conclusion: The information is credible and there are many
references supplied for additional reading.
Website 1
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/lipopolysaccharide.
html
•
Author/Owner: Shashank Nakate/Buzzle.com
- Score = 2: Buzzle.com is a network of content providers who compile general information on a
variety of topics. Information about Buzzle was accessible.
•
Objective
- Score = 2: Buzzle’s objective is to educate and inform.
•
Content
- Score = 1: General information is provided. Many technical terms are not defined and
someone without a background in biology would not understand.
•
Credibility
-Score = 1: The author claims to hold a degree in agriculture, but there is no way to verify this.
The website does not specialize in biology related information.
•
References
- Score = 0: No references were listed.
•
Conclusion: The credibility of this source is questionable. Information presented here needs to
be verified by a credible source.
Website 2
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lipopolysaccharide
•
Author/Owner: Many authors/Jimmy Wales/Wikimedia Foundation
- Score = 2: Wikipedia is publicly written by internet volunteers. Jimmy Wales created
Wikipedia, a registered trademark of the not-for-profit Wikimedia Foundation.
•
Objective
- Score = 2: Wikipedia intends to educate the general public and encourage knowledgeable
authors to write articles.
•
Content
- Score = 2: Information was well presented and clearly written. Key terms were all defined.
Someone without a biology background could read this and understand it.
•
Credibility
- Score = 1: Credibility depends solely on the public authors who write and edit the website.
References include peer-reviewed journal articles. Diagrams are cited.
•
References
- Score = 2: References listed include peer-reviewed journal articles.
•
Conclusion: The site was well organized and informative. Since Wikipedia is publicly written,
the supplied references will need to be reviewed to confirm the validity of the content.