Question

Your research question is: How do images in the media contribute to a poor body image in growing
children?
Which of the following would be appropriate secondary sources for this research question? Select
all that apply.
1. A book titled Media, with a chapter called “Influences” written by a media expert and published in 2015
2. An article from the Journal of Social Issues published in 2014 entitled, “The Media’s
Influence on Body Image Disturbance”
3. An online article on the Huffington Post website entitled, “7 Ways to Deal with BodyShaming Friends,” published in 2013
4. A blog by an anorexic teenager who explains why she has an eating disorder and what she
is doing to help herself

Answer 1

Appropriate secondary sources: 1 and 2.

- (1) Book chapter by a media expert (2015) — secondary, scholarly/analytic; appropriate.
- (2) Journal article (2014) — peer‑reviewed secondary research; appropriate.

Not appropriate:
- (3) Huffington Post article — a popular/advertising‑style piece, not scholarly and not focused on media images; may be useful for background but not an appropriate academic secondary source.
- (4) Teenager’s blog — a primary, personal account (anecdotal), not a secondary analytic source.