Sarah Snooks 3/14/2013 PEBC 2001 Research Assignment

The American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons website (www.aaos.org) was founded in 1997 by the Academy Board of Directors. This website includes extensive contact information available to anyone who would like to request information regarding their website and its content. AAOS also enforces a disclosure policy and requires all members, including authors of editorial boards, to complete the mandatory disclosure information. AAOS offers advertising on their website which is labeled as such. Support with commercial funds is accepted as a hyperlink placed on their website with the appropriate notice that you are about to leave their website placed in the link. Sponsorship cannot occur simultaneously with advertising. The AAOS website appears to be very thoroughly put together and reviews all content to ensure that it is legitimate information. The does not appear to promote obscure comments or promise anything seems to give current and accurate information and backs the information with research. The purpose of the website is to provide musculoskeletal education and activities including a world-renowned annual meeting. AAOS provides personal information on their Fellows and Members with other Fellows and Members, for recruiting purposes, for the public as patients and

prohibits this information to be used for compiling mailing lists. There is currently not an opt out mechanism available on their website. Their website does not collect personal information on the public and does not contain any registration forms.