SH101 content is fact-checked and evidence-based. Our writers include professional health journalists, health educators, graduate students and college students, and specialists in specific topic areas. Every statement of fact or statistic is checked by our editorial staff.
When stating facts and statistics, we ask that our writers use only reputable sources, such as peer-reviewed academic research studies and information from reliable non-profit or governmental organizations (e.g., the CDC or the Anxiety and Depression Association of America). We avoid commercial health information sites (e.g., WebMD).
Our sources vary by topic area. For example, articles on specific health topics cite relevant scientific research studies, but tech articles may reference tech company stats or PEW research. Regardless of the topic, we always strive to find the original source for any facts or statistics we include.
National statistics
We routinely incorporate nationally representative data from the CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS) in our high school publication, and the American College Health Association National College Health Assessment survey (ACHA-NCHA) in our college publications.
Why we use original sources
We avoid taking information from other editorial publications, such as magazines, newspapers, etc., except when it’s unavoidable. This is because facts and data can become skewed as they are interpreted by media outlets. If we ensure that we’re pulling information directly from the original source, we can avoid publishing misinformation.
Rare exceptions include when we cite an article written by an expert in a certain topic area or when we use expert quotes that were previously published in another source. When we do this, we always inform the reader: “This is an example of an expert quote,” Dr. Smith told the New York Times.
Checking the validity of scientific studies
Our editors are trained in assessing the validity of research studies. We consider:
- How many participants were included in this study? Larger sample size = greater likelihood of validity.
- Was this research influenced by funding from a commercial or politically-motivated sponsor?
- Are these findings generalizable to the populations in our audience? E.g., If the research was conducted only with participants over age 50, it’s likely not applicable to our audiences of teens and young adults.
- Does this study have the potential for bias or confounding? E.g., Did the researchers take into account other factors that could have influenced their findings?
Where to find our sources in feature articles
At the end of each article, near the author’s name, you will find a “Sources” link. If you click on this link, you’ll find the names of the experts we consulted, information about the author, and every source that was used in researching and writing the piece.
Advisory board review
All of our articles are reviewed by our professional and student advisory boards prior to publishing.
- The professional board is made up of adolescent health and wellness experts in fields such as school counseling, medicine, substance abuse, and education. You can find their bios here.
- Our student advisory board provides essential feedback. They tell us how well they think the article will be received by their peers and raise any questions or concerns they may have about the way we are presenting the information.
- All advisory board feedback is taken into account before each piece of content is finalized.
Student quotes
Student voices are incorporated into every piece. Their feedback also informs what we cover and how we cover it. Why do we do this? Because research shows that students are interested in and responsive to messages from their peers. This is known as the peer educator or peer mentor approach to health and wellness education. It gives SH101 added credibility with readers and increases their knowledge and understanding of a topic. We survey tens of thousands of students every month and (with their permission) incorporate their ideas and quotations into our content.