Assignment
Scientific peer-reviewed articles are typically published for and read by others in the scientific community. When the general public is looking for more information on a topic in biology, they most likely aren't reading peer-reviewed articles but popular science articles instead. Popular science articles are used to connect the public to scientific research and bring research results to life with a story to non-experts. They will reference experiments and often utilize quotes from the scientists who conducted the study. You will find the both the structure and diction of pop sci articles are pretty different from peer-reviewed research articles.
Provided below are popular science articles on topics similar to the topics covered in the peer-reviewed research articles provided above. Choose the pop sci article that corresponds with the research article you read. Read the article and answer the questions below:
• 'Trusted Messengers, Trusted Messages': How to Overcome Vaccine Hesitancy.
• Coronavirus: The possible long-term mental health impacts.
• Air pollution linked to greater risk of dying from COVID-19 in the US.
A. How does the pop sci article differ structurally and verbally from the corresponding peer-review research article?
B. Why do you think the general public (non-scientists) tend to read pop sci articles over peer-review articles?
C. Which article do you feel you learned more from?