Kuhnell 1

Emalyn Kuhnell

Prof. Hellmers

ENG 1201

11 March 2019

Annotated Bibliography

An, Mihyang, et al. "Why We Need More Nature at Work: Effects of Natural Elements

and Sunlight on Employee Mental Health and Work Attitudes." PLoS ONE, vol.

11, no. 5, 2016. Opposing Viewpoints in Context,

http://link.galegroup.com.sinclair.ohionet.org/apps/doc/A453359944/OVIC?u=day

t30401&sid=OVIC&xid=23df5af9. Accessed 28 Feb. 2019.

This article is a medical journal, written by researchers after having completed a

study. The main focus of the article is based upon the analysis of the results, as well as

the conclusion of the study. The research highlights how nature can affect the mental

health and wellbeing of employees at a company. The study considered many factors,

including but not limited to the weather, time of day, as well as amount of time spent

outside. While evaluating this study, the researchers came to the conclusion that being

outside for a period of time has a positive effect on the employees, as well as the

workplace. This information would be helpful in supporting the claim of my paper, that

being outside has a positive effect on mental health.

This study passes the CRAAP and BEAM tests as it is written by the researchers

of the study, who all have doctorates and professional degrees on the subject. The
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article was relevant, as the mental health analysis of employees correlates to the mental

health of the general population, of which my paper will be researching over. This

information will be useful throughout my paper, as it is a strong reference source, with

lots of valuable information which is able to be cited.

Coles, Jeremy. “Earth - How Nature Is Good for Our Health and Happiness.” BBC

News, BBC, 20 Apr. 2016, www.bbc.com/earth/story/20160420-how-nature-is-

good-for-our-health-and-happiness.

This article was published by the BBC, a reputable news outlet for both the UK

as well as global news. The article looks at the effects of nature and well being on the

general population, however this is an analysis of multiple sources. The article is easy

to read and well cited. The author of the article is a journalist, so while he did not

complete the research itself, there are many cited sources of medical researchers.

Quotes and opinions were also taken from many doctors. As the information in the

article supports my take on the research paper, this article will provide more substantial

information as well as personal experiences to be used in support of my claims.

This article passes the CRAAP and BEAM tests, making it a valuable source to

be used in my final paper. While the author is a journalist, not a researcher, there are

many doctors and medical professionals who weigh in on the subject. The writer also

chose to include more specific benefits of time spent outside, such as the way that

those who struggle with ADHD have been known to have positive effects on the way

they manage their symptoms. The publisher of the article, BBC, also is a credible

source as they are well-known in both the UK and across the world.
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Holder, Mark D, and Holli-Anne Passmore. “Noticing Nature: Individual and Social

Benefits of a Two-Week Intervention.” Taylor and Francis Online, The Journal of

Positive Psychology, 2017,

www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17439760.2016.1221126?journalCode=rp

os20.

This journal reviewed the results of a two week intervention study, in which there

were four groups, three of which were dependent variables. The dependent variables

included a nature intervention, a human-interaction intervention, as well as being placed

in a man-made surroundings. At the end of the period, subjects from the nature

intervention were seen to be happier and all around in better mental health than before

the study was conducted. This article will provide unique information to my paper due to

the amount of qualitative data available. There is not a particular way to measure the

rate at which one feels better, but this study got as close to quantitative results as

possible. The data provided will allow for my paper to be supported in a new way, as the

data was collected differently, with a control group rather than observation of a lifestyle

change.

This journal does pass the CRAAP and BEAM tests as the information was

written by the head researchers on the study. Both researchers also hold prominent

jobs in the medical field, holding professional degrees, proving that they hold authority

on the subject. The article is relevant to my topic as it shows the effect of nature versus

the effects of a man-made environment on the human mind. The information was

accurate as it came first hand and directly from the study to the journal. Finally, the
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information does serve its purpose as it is highly informative on the subject of nature’s

effects on human wellbeing.

Jordan, Rob. “Stanford Researchers Find Mental Health Prescription: Nature.” Lack of

Brain Protein Causes Sleeping Disorder Narcolepsy in Humans: 9/2000, Stanford

University, 9 Apr. 2016, news.stanford.edu/2015/06/30/hiking-mental-health-

063015/.

This article was written by a journalist at Stanford University on how nature can

affect sleep patterns. Seeing as how significantly sleep can impact mental health, the

information holds a unique take on my research topic. Many professors and scientists

are asked about the topic and provide their opinions of how the data should be included,

but all came up with the same conclusion that the information demonstrates that there is

a positive impact on mental health and sleep patterns after consistent, intentional

interactions with nature.

This article passes the CRAAP and BEAM tests from all sides. The credibility of

both the author and publisher is high, as Stanford is a well-known and prestigious

university. The author has previously put out many articles that have given good

information over different topics, which not only adds to the credibility but also to their

authority. In addition, they chose to include the opinions of many professionals in the

field, further increasing the credibility of the article. The information is relevant due to

the connection between sleep levels and amount of time spent in nature can

significantly impact one’s mental health. While this is not a medical journal put out to

describe one specific study, the sources cited in the article give factual information on

the subject, proving the accuracy. As previously stated, the article completes the
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CRAAP test with meeting the goal of purpose, as it does inform the reader on how

nature affects sleep and mental health.

"New Mental Health Study Findings Reported from University of Queensland." Mental

Health Weekly Digest, 2 June 2014, p. 187. Opposing Viewpoints in Context,

http://link.galegroup.com.sinclair.ohionet.org/apps/doc/A371304554/OVIC?u=day

t30401&sid=OVIC&xid=1ac4dfa0. Accessed 28 Feb. 2019.

This journal looks at how mental health is affected by the factors within one’s life.

This article does give more weight to the effects of other factors into mental health,

which will allow for good counterclaim information to be cited. The information does not

deny the effects of being outside entirely, however it gives more value on workplace and

social life. This passes the CRAAP and BEAM tests as the information is credible, and

holds authority as it comes from an Australian university in Queensland. It is relevant to

my topic as it will provide a counterclaim (i.e. that nature has little effect on mental

health). The accuracy of the information is good, as it was recently updated and the

article serves its purpose of informing the reader of various factors that play into one’s

mental health.

Tillmann S, Tobin D, Avison W, et al. Mental health benefits of interactions with nature

in children and teenagers: a systematic review. J Epidemiol Community

Health 2018; 72:958-966.

This medical journal is the strongest source in regards to connection with my

research topic. The age focus of the subjects is primarily those in adolescence or

puberty, which is a different take than any of the other information provided. The study

analyzed what being outside did specifically for the children and teenagers, which better
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served the purpose of the article. The researchers found that nature did impact the

teenagers significantly in a positive way, which could help to lead to the better treatment

plans for those diagnosed with mental health disorders.

This article definitely passed the CRAAP and BEAM test as the researchers were

very credible. Like many others listed before, they too hold doctorate and/or

professional degrees, as well as have had a history of other studies. The information is

quite relevant as it looks at a specific age group and entirely breaks down the results of

the study of how nature affects mental health, which was my research question. This

article is both accurate and has authority on the subject as the information came directly

from the researchers to the writing itself. Finally, it does serve the purpose of my

research paper because it so specifically fits my research question.

"Data from Central Michigan University Advance Knowledge in Mental Health” Mental

Health Weekly Digest, 31 July 2017, p. 68. Opposing Viewpoints in Context,

http://link.galegroup.com.sinclair.ohionet.org/apps/doc/A499555213/OVIC?u=day

t30401&sid=OVIC&xid=3760f835. Accessed 14 Mar. 2019.

This journal analyzes a study from Central Michigan University which came to

find the degree to which being outside or having access to sunlight is so crucial. Similar

to another source I selected, this data is more quantitative than the others. While this is

a difficult scale to go by, the information provided allows for a better understanding of

how significantly nature affects mental health. Using the quantitative data will also allow

for numerical significance to be shown, rather than one that simply comes from personal

experience. This passes the CRAAP and BEAM tests as it comes from a known

university, providing the necessary credibility and authority on the subject. The topic
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researched also fits with my research topic, proving it is relevant, as well as having a

purpose. This article will best be used to conclude the paper, as it provides hard

statistics on the research results.