1. The Literature of Health Education
Principles and Applications

2. Evaluating Sources Primary Source Secondary Sources Tertiary Sources
“Open-access” journals (*web based only)
Secondary Sources
Tertiary Sources
Popular Press Publications

3. Examples
Pedersen, P. J. (2002). The influence of alcohol advertising on students’ drinking behaviors. NASPA Journal, 40 (1), Article 2. Retrieved from
Primary source text citation:
Self-identified binge drinkers were influenced by alcohol promotions significantly more than were nonbinge drinkers (Pedersen, 2002).
Secondary source text citation:
Pedersen’s study (as cited in Donatelle & Smith, 2006) has reported that binge and nonbinge drinkers do not respond equally to alcohol promotions.
Reference list entry: Donatelle, B.A. & Smith, M. (2006)……….

4. Refereed or Peer-Reviewed
Find the guidelines for authors or guide to submissions section
What review process is used?
American Journal of Health Education
main.html

5. Evaluating Research Articles
Abstract/Introduction
Were the aims or objectives clear?
Were the research questions/hypotheses of the study clearly stated?
Methodology
Were the participants in the study clearly described and do you know how they were recruited?
Was the design and location of the study clearly described?
How was data collected? Were the instruments used clearly identified and described?
Results/Findings
Did the results address the research questions or hypothesis?
Were the conclusions logical given the data collected and the type of analysis performed?
Discussion
Were the study implications meaningful to you or the population you serve?

6. Evaluating the Accuracy of Nonresearch-based Sources
What are the authors qualifications? Does the person have an academic degree in the field being written about?
What is the style of the presentation…scientific or use of testimonials or generalities
Are the references included? Are most references to secondary sources?
What is the purpose of the publication? Is the pub trying to sell items discussed in the article?
What is the reputation of the publication? Is it refereed?
Is the information new? Can it be validated from other sources? Newsworthy versus valid.

7. Evaluating Internet Sources
Content – citation of sources (.gov, .edu, .org)
Authority – credentials of authors
Publisher source – sponsorship should be clear
References – other pages linked to this site
Documentation – are sources clearly identified
Facts – facts consistent with information from other sources

8. Computerized Databases
ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center)
MEDLINE
CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature)
PsycInfo (Psychological Abstracts)

9. Practice PsycInfo ERIC Academic Search Premier Medline
Search words: children, obesity, stigma
Narrow by full text
Narrow by referred article
Expand by using “Choose Database” function

10. ‘Mining’ a Great Find Find full text article in pdf format
Review reference list and identify other articles you would like to find