Assignment: Does The News Media Report Science Accurately?
Gary Gutting wrote an editorial in the New York Times in April, 2013, called What Do Scientific Studies Show? Professor Gutting cautions the reader that news reports that say "studies show" are often tentative or likely to be false and should be labeled as such in the news media.
First:
• Read Gutting's editorial.
• Read The difference between Correlation and Causal Relationships.
1. Based on your readings and viewing in this module, answer each of these questions:
• In your own words, what is the difference between showing correlation and showing a causal connection? Explain the importance of considering the "third variable" in these types of relationships.
• Create your own example of the differences between correlation and causal relationships.
• Are most results of scientific studies valuable for guiding our lives? Why or why not?
2. In the same post, also provide an example of a news report about a scientific topic with your personal summary/evaluation:
• Post an example of a report about science that you have read in a newspaper or a news magazine or online news source. Provide a link to the web page, if possible, but always include a complete APA style reference!
• Give a summary of the report. Explain why you think the result is either believable or not believable and if the scientific result report will affect our daily lives.
Format your assignment according to the following formatting requirements:
1. The answer should be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides.
2. The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
3. Also include a reference page. The Citations and references should follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.