Noora Hirvonen|Alisa Tirroniemi|Terttu Kortelainen
The cognitive authority of user-generated health information in an online forum for girls and young women
University of Oulu|University of Oulu|University of Oulu
purpose purpose paper examine role one particular online discussion forum potentially authoritative health information source users concept cognitive authority used starting point understanding information evaluation context focus placed types information users seek forum ways assess credibility information obtained views impact information designmethodologyapproach empirical data collected questionnaire survey users finnish online forum girls young women n 290 data analyzed qualitatively content analytic techniques quantitatively using descriptive analysis findings forum found offer girls young women possibility receive health information peers viewed appropriate source experiential rather factual health information used find information sexuality bodily functions diets example authorrelated cues argumentation tone veracity verification recognized means evaluate information credibility credibility evaluation found linked conceptions forum type information sought share respondents recognized information obtained influence thinking behavior originalityvalue based findings argued members online forum individually collectively act cognitive authorities users findings cannot generalized beyond online forum finnish girls young women even users online forum however provide insights ways young people evaluate usergenerated information particular online setting domain knowledge contribute research cognitive authority credibility evaluation information literacy