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CBL I Learning Issue Resource Guidelines

• Always use three or more resources
• Consider the following resource types:
  • Textbooks
    • Electronic
    • Print
  • Reference Texts
    • Drug Sources
    • Dictionaries
  • Clinical Databases
    • DynaMed
    • UptoDate (not available from off-campus)
    • etc.
  • Websites
    • MedlinePlus
    • If not from MedlinePlus, use the SPAT criteria
  • Journal Articles
    • Search PubMed
    • Search CINAHL
    • Search PSYCinfo
• For sample CBL learning issues and their suggested resources, see Learning Issue Report Resources

SPATing Websites

• The SPAT criteria help judge reliability of electronic sources not specifically recommended by the course staff or the Hardin library.
• Site: What kind of site is it?
• Educational (.edu)
• Governmental (.gov)
• Commercial (.com)
• Organizational (.org)
• Publisher: Who wrote this content and do they provide contact information? Look for an “About Us” section.
• Governmental Agency
• Association
• Company
• Individual
• If health professionals are involved in the creation of the content, that's good too.
• Audience: Who is the site written for?
• Patients (good for background questions)
• Health Professionals
• Timeliness: When was the last time it was updated? Is this information current?

Sample SPATs

Atenolol: http://www.merck.com/mmpe/lexicomp/atenolol.html	Atenolol: http://web.archive.org/web/20070824090849/http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/~hs0dad/profile/atenolol/atenhmpg.htm
S: Commercial	S: United Kingdom, Type Unknown
P: Merck (Publisher); Content: Lexi-Comp "official drug reference for the American Pharmacists Association"	P: Shane, Andy, Simon, Dave
A: Healthcare Practitioners	A: Health Professionals??
T: Modified August 2007	T: Unknown
QUALITY SITE FOR CLINICIAN USE	NOT A RELIABLE SOURCE OF INFORMATION

Questions? Contact Kathy Skhal at 319-335-7636.

Last Modified: 02/24/2008