Skip to main content

Table 3 The rating scale

From: Finding toxicological information: An approach for occupational health professionals

User needs

Rating scale

Score

Chemical name, CAS, synonyms, trade names etc.

advanced search + CAS and names have own fields or a drag-down menu or a list to choose a name from

3

 

advanced search, a search field plus another field for names or a drag down menu or a list to choose a name from

2

 

simple search, one field for all searching

1

Health hazards (carcinogenicity, mutagenicity, teratogenicity, endocrine modification, irritation etc.)

detailed description and analysis

2

 

very short description (fairly narrow, summarizing and involving the key points)

1

Exposure routes

yes, routes mentioned

1

 

not at all mentioned

0

Methods for measuring exposure

yes

1

 

not found

0

Exposure limits such as TLVs or OELs mentioned

yes

1

 

not found

0

Preventive measures

yes

1

 

not found

0

Quality of contents

Rating scale

Score

Topics covered

wider topic selection

2

 

specialization, one topic such as pesticides or cancer

1

Level of information

analysed information: Pragmatic scientific or technical reporting: Scientific proofs of evidence, a growing body of sources used to prove toxicity and to assess the risks of the chemicals to human health. Includes necessary details and subject areas as well as examples of risk assessments

3

 

analysed information: same as above, but does not include risk assessments

2

 

general: unambiguous, definitive and easily interpreted. Extrapolate scientific findings or expert opinions to the wider public in an easy to understand form

1

Number of chemicals

10 000 to 100 000 chemicals

3

 

1000 to 9 999 chemicals

2

 

less than 999 chemicals

1

Peer reviewers' names, and/or the publisher's response to the peer reviewers' report(s) available.

evaluation of information by a scientific committee or special peer reviewers

1

 

no information on peer review

0

Reputation of publisher of the database

regulator, policy maker, national or international organization

2

 

university or other parties

1

Up-to-date

information on update

1

 

no information on update

0

Usability

Rating scale

Score

Ease of use

usable at one glance

2

 

takes time, use requires help texts

1

 

the database is arduous, one use cycle not enough

0

Help available

information on both contents and the use of the database

2

 

information either on contents or how to use the database

1

 

no information on contents or how to use the database

0

Language

contents also in other languages

1

 

English only

0