The Quality Scale
What is the Quality Scale?
The Quality
Scale is one way to assess the quality of information in educational
material. This scale is made up of six elements, and these
elements can be used individually or collectively to judge
the quality of the information.
Why do I need the Quality
Scale?
There
are some genetic conditions that are so rare (in contrast
to common conditions like heart disease or diabetes) that
there are relatively few people that can be studied to learn
scientific facts about these conditions. Therefore, information
about these genetic conditions can vary in quality. Some may
be of high quality if they are based on studies that looked
very carefully at the group of affected people, while some
may be of lower quality because the information is based on
only a few findings. Of course, information about common conditions
can vary in quality as well. The quality scale will help you
think critically about the information that you are reading,
and will help you determine whether the information is reliable.
How do I use the Quality
Scale?
The Quality
Scale has six elements. Each element is followed by definitions
and examples to help you ‘score’ the information. The purpose
is not to come up with an overall score, but, rather, to help
you think about how you should use the information in decision
making. Please use your own good judgment.