Understanding Science and Technology
Length: ~1000 words; use your word processor to count words and include word count
at the top of your paper
Assignment:
Keeping informed on science-related topics/issues should be easy and accessible to
everyone. Global media outlets (i.e., newspapers, magazines, television/online news
reports) serve as an important tool for providing the general public with current
information on a wide range of scientific topics (e.g. pollution, medical advancements,
endangered species, disease threats, climate change). Sometimes, however, media
reporting on scientific topics has the potential to contain bias or inaccurate information
due to a lack of expertise and inefficient communication of empirical evidence. This can
lead to misinformation in the public, sometimes causing confusion and even panic.
1. Find one media article that discusses a science-related topic of your liking.
Summarise in as much detail as possible the findings and information presented
in the media article and be sure to highlight the author’s “stance” or position on
the topic. Try to keep the media article as current as possible (published over the
last 3 years). This can be on any science topic that interests you!
2. Using the primary literature, locate one peer-reviewed research article that
discusses this topic and presents empirical evidence. Summarise the article:
what was the purpose of the study; what are the major findings and what did the
authors conclude on this topic?
3. Critically analyze the similarities and differences between the media source and
the primary (peer-reviewed) journal article. Do you think the media source was
accurate in its reporting or were there major gaps that may have misled the
reader?
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of this media article in communicating scientific
findings to the public. Discuss the benefits of science reporting in the media and
the potential consequences that can result. How do you think the media can
better present science to the general public?
Sources: The media article can be from any current media outlet in print (i.e., no
broadcast or video reporting). This can be from news sources such as CBC, The
Guardian, The Toronto Star, National Post, BBC News, The Globe and Mail, Montreal
Gazette…there are literally hundreds!
The scientific article must be from a peer-reviewed journal. Some examples of peerreviewed journals that you can find an article from include: Science, Nature,
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences USA, Journal of Immunology, The
Journal of the American Medical Association etc.
References: The first time you refer to both your research article and media article, be
sure to parenthetically reference it using the authors/authors name(s) and publication
date. At the end of your paper, provide a complete citation for both the media article
and peer-reviewed journal article. Either APA or MLA reference format is acceptable.
Format: Double-spaced, 12-pt font copy in class (see late policy below) Include at the
top of the page:
your name
date
word count (use your word processing program)
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