Depression can be broadly defined as a mental illness in which the victim experiences the unshakable, strong sadness and a completely diminished interest in most activities. This paper will compare and contrast the evaluation of the validity and credibility of two websites; the PsychCentral and University of Michigan Depression Center (UMDC) sites, which bring out the valuable information about depression as a psychological topic.
Firstly, the PsychCentral and UMDC websites are both well-structured and easily navigable. The information layout and formatting on the two websites are firmly consistent, in which any user finds a very humble time to get the pieces of information he or she requires to know about depression. For instance, both websites start by giving a precise definition of depression before they move to further detailed parts such as types, causes, signs and symptoms to ensure that the user gets a clear understanding of the topic of study.
Also, the proper arrangement of the work on both sites explains their firm layouts that give an adequate visual attraction to the reader. Hence, the visual attractions of the sites boost individual motivation when accessing the websites, giving them the credible advantage as one of the research centers that promotes awareness to health matters. For example, the PsychCentral discusses a subtopic where they ask the reader whether he or she might be suffering from depression unknowingly (Hunter). Therefore, the pieces of information elaborate the navigability of the sites, in which they try to solve depression health matters attracting the attention of any person that might be affected. Thus, navigability and well-structure of the two websites have a great similarity both in their context and visual attractions.
Additionally, performing searches throughout the two websites, PsychCentral and UMDC are very easy due to the quicker loading processes involved in the information assessment and functionalism. The two websites have a close similarity to the information extraction process, which is easy to search and read to all persons even those with no proper computer knowledge as well as those with less internet speed. Also, the two websites provide a significant detailed data on depression.
For instance, the PsychCentral website gives a thorough research on the types and symptoms of depression, in which it states the types of depression accompanied by the deeper explanation on it. Thus, this is evidenced in the full elaboration of the manic-depressive illness also known as the bipolar disorder, which the PsychCentral has explained as being characterized by major depression and mania episodes.
Further, the PsychCentral site researchers describe it as being constituted by abnormal periods and the aggressively elevated mood with active symptoms of depreciated need of sleep, becoming too talkative, physical agitation as well as engaging in pleasure activities without taking into considerations their negative implications. On the other hand, the UMCD website gives an adequate data on depression that helps a learner to acquire proper know-how on its causes, side effects and also its signs and symptoms.
However, the PsychCentral website gives clear proofs on its applications of the empirical evidence for the exhaustive depression research. For example, the PsychCentral site argument that depression is the brain disorder, which is highly supported with an elaborated and series of studies such as, the study from the genetic research, neuroscience as well as the study of brain chemistry. Further, the genetic research evidence is outlined to indicate depression vulnerability is caused by multiple genes influences put together with the environmental factors. Also, on the depression treatment data is substantially consolidated on the new medications such as the entire (SSRIs) selective reuptake inhibitors.
On the contrary, the UMCD has not given out any empirical evidence to the information about depression; the all research data is just based on shallow arguments without a significant evidence to support them. For example, the information on the symptoms is listed with no adequate explanations of their originality, which lowers the degree of the validity of the presented data (Michigan).
Hence, appropriately set up for data validity on the topic of depression is only evidenced in the PsychCentral website with high quality empirical proofs that is entirely unavailable in the UMCD internet site. Therefore, the PsychCentral website is more stable in proving the data originality based on their compressive research they carried on depression compared to the UMCD site, which does not base its information on the studies of modern psychological science.
Unfortunately, I will only recommend the PsychCentral website to my friend who is searching for any comprehensive information about depression because it is more detailed compared to the UMCD site. Inclusion, the high evidenced information illustrated in the PsychCentral site will help a friend get a compressed data on depression that he or she would account for when the necessity arises.
However, I found the two sites not bad due to these reasons; firstly, they are both well-structured and easily navigable that makes them appealing to the eye as well as created a quick extraction of the information. Secondly, the PsychCentral and the UMCD site uphold the users’ understandings as well as respect their privacy, in which they do not require any personal identity detail unless it’s an individual decision to do so. Lastly, both sites provide quick and functional information about the depression, even to most people who have little knowledge of computer as well as to those with less than fast internet speed. Hence, I found their data contents on the topic of depression interesting and more or less founded on the modern scientific research.
Inclusion, I learned several things when I visited the two sites, for instance, the two different definitions of depression that have a very similar meaning that gives an extensive knowledge expansion to my usual understanding of depression. Also, I came to learn the different treatment methods for depression, for example, the availability of the antidepressant medications, which are considered to have a considerable influence on various functions of many brain neurotransmitters that are also called monoamine.
In addition to the above points, I also gained new expanded information on the causes, signs, and symptoms with more extensive evidence supporting each argument, which is powerfully portrayed in the PsychCentral. Hence, the two sites helped me gain a lot on how I should take care as well as determine any victim of depression.
In conclusion, the PsychCentral and the UMCD sites have various similarities and differences that depend on the credibility and validity of their findings. For example, both websites have the easy accessibility, navigability and a good layout structure of the information. Also, the PsychCentral and the UMCD websites understands and respects their users: they do not need any personal log in details, which may interfere with the visitors’ privacy. On the other hand, the two sites have a significant difference in data elaboration where the PsychCentral provides adequate evidence in support of its research, which does not ultimately exist in the UMCD sites.
Works Cited
Hunter, James. "Research on Depression." Psych Central.com. Web. 23 Mar. 2016. <http://psychcentral.com/disorders/depressionresearch.htm>.
Michigan, University. "Depression." Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments. Web. 23 Mar. 2016. <http://www.depressiontoolkit.org/aboutyourdiagnosis/depression.asp>.
