A few instructors in our department have used an assignment with their Introduction to Psychology classes where they are given a popular press article and are either given or have to find the corresponding primary source article. The assignment involves evaluating how well the popular press rendition reflects the actual findings, as well as summarizing elements of the original study (hypothesis, methods, findings). The goal is to have students think more critically about how science is covered in the popular press, and also to think about the sophistication a reader must have to process the information.
It's a good assignment, but it is ultimately challenging for the students and requires a substantial time commitment for the grader. --Barbara Barbara Brown Psychology Department Technical Assistant 1116 8th Ave Grinnell College Grinnell, IA 50112 Phone: 641-269-3171 FAX: 641-269-4285 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED] -----Original Message----- From: Annette Taylor, Ph. D. [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Thursday, February 23, 2006 10:43 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences Subject: newspaper article review assignment Have any of you ever assigned students to read and critique secondary source articles, such as in newspapers or popular magazines? If so, can I see what types of questions you asked the students? I am working on such an assignment and have some questions ready to go but would like to have more ideas. Thanks Annette Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph. D. Department of Psychology University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected] To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
