Our Approach to Sources
The quality of an article depends on the quality of the evidence behind it. That’s why every article published on The Counter Check is researched using reputable sources whenever possible.
Not every health question has a perfect answer, and not every topic has high-quality clinical research. When stronger evidence isn’t available, I rely on the best information that’s currently available while making that clear to readers.
Our Preferred Evidence Hierarchy
When researching health topics, I generally prioritize sources in the following order:
- Clinical practice guidelines
- Systematic reviews
- Meta-analyses
- Randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
- Cohort and case-control studies
- Observational studies
- Expert consensus statements
- Government health agencies
- Professional medical organizations
- Peer-reviewed medical journals
Depending on the topic, I may also reference prescribing information, drug monographs, safety communications, and official statements from regulatory agencies when they’re the most appropriate source.
Why Source Quality Matters
Not all sources carry the same weight.
A social media post, blog article, or opinion piece may be useful for generating discussion, but it shouldn’t carry the same weight as a clinical guideline or a well-conducted systematic review. Higher-quality evidence generally provides a more complete picture because it draws on larger bodies of research and follows more rigorous scientific methods.
That doesn’t mean lower levels of evidence are ignored. For newer or less-studied topics, they may be the best information available at the time. Whenever that’s the case, I aim to present the evidence honestly and acknowledge its limitations.
Referencing Standards
Whenever possible, articles reference original sources rather than summaries or secondary reporting.
These may include:
- Peer-reviewed journals
- Clinical practice guidelines
- Government health agencies
- Professional medical organizations
- Regulatory agencies
- Drug prescribing information
- University research publications
Whenever appropriate, references are linked directly so readers can explore the original source for themselves.
Our Commitment
Every article published on The Counter Check is built on one principle: good health information starts with good evidence.
Whenever possible, I rely on the highest-quality evidence available, explain where that evidence comes from, and update articles as new research and recommendations become available.