| Three aspects of Web credibility were investigated: the dimensions of credibility attributed to health-related Web sites; the relationship between perceived credibility, demographic characteristics, media variables, and information-seeking behavior; and factors that contribute to health-information seeking on the Web. Participants actively searched the Web for health-related information under two search conditions. The results indicated two dimensions of perceived Web credibility, trust/coverage and fairness, with the trust/coverage dimension as a significant predictor of health information-seeking on the Web. Internet self-efficacy, utility, and perceived credibility were also significant predictors of health information-seeking on the Web. Differences in perceived Web credibility were also found for previous experience in using the Web for gathering health information and disclosure of personal information. Participants who had previously searched the Web for health information and participants who had disclosed personal information online perceived the Web to be more credible than those who did not engage in these activities. |
