Evaluating Sources- Carrie Ortel

Article 1- Google Scholar

Title: Body image, perceived pubertal timing, and adolescent mental health

Authors: Judith M. Siegela,  (Ph.D), Antronette K. Yancey, M.D.a, Carol S. Aneshensel, Ph.D.a, Roberleigh Schulera (M.S.P.H.)

There are four different authors from my source found on Google scholar, all with a high education in the subject, the effect of body image on mental health in teenagers.  Having more than one author allows peer review and more points of view and experience in the topic. 

This article was published in the Journal of Adolescent Health, Volume 25, Issue 2.  This ensures a reliable source, with a professional background and knowledge of the specific topic.  The audience are generally educated people, or people personally effected by adolescent mental health issues, perhaps parents. 

The source appears to be credible, but the website does end in “.com”, which is not as comforting as if it were through an education facility or the government.  The article was found through Google scholar, so although its Google, I am confident the article is from a credible source. 

The source is appropriate for my project, because it addresses the issues I am researching, and is from a knowledgeable group of doctors in the topic.  It will strengthen my argument by bringing in good knowledge of the issue at hand. 

Article 2- Google

Title: Mental health series: Body image

Authors: Sarah Tomkinson, Joshua Terry

The authors of this article are credible in their writing career, but not in the subject area.  They are relying on information from others, which is good, but is consequently easily swayed.  They are not experts in the health field, but instead professional writers. 

This article is in the Western Courier, which is a good news source, but not the most informed on topics such as detailed health issues.  However, sources like this one help get the general idea the public has about the issue. 

The content is overall not as credible as I would like it to be, and I would not use this as a source in my research project.  Once again it is a “.com” website, but is heavily opinionated and not a good factual, unbiased source. 

The source is not appropriate for my topic as research, because although it was one of the top hits on Google, it is not a scholarly source.  It contributes the current opinions on body image in society, but is not a real source.  The source will not strengthen my argument, but it will give me a basis it.