Find and share an example of “research” in the media (news, current events, movies, TV, radio, social media, etc.). Post your example as a new DB entry with a link to the story, article, video, etc. (if a link is available). If you aren’t sure how to activate a hyperlink, you can find instructions here for how to do that: can also contact the DELTA (SHSU Online) helpdesk if you need further assistance. It is extremely helpful if you set up the link to “Open in a new window.”
In your post, along with the link to your example, briefly summarize the example and critically evaluate the research methods used, discussing the study’s strengths and weaknesses*. Bring up questions or concerns on the basis of what you’ve learned during the course. Students have had some trouble with this in the past, so let me clarify what is expected. Many popular articles (or other media sources) reporting on scientific research will (and should) reference the study upon which they are based. It is that referenced study that I want you to find and evaluate. You should also comment on how well or poorly the popular source reflects the research that was conducted, but I want your focus to be on the scholarly, academic, research study, NOT the popular report/source. Please let me know if you have any questions about how this should be done. Also, see my own and previous students’ examples in the DB forum for additional guidance—if you can’t find them, ASK! Feel free to review the resources provided for DB 1 related to scholarly vs. non-scholarly sources, as well.
As always, be sure to cite your sources properly and completely, including page numbers and quotation marks where appropriate.
*This DB entry MUST contain BOTH an example of research in the media AND a scholarly source. If either of these are missing, there will be an automatic deduction of 15 points (or half the points available for the assignment).
Initial Entry Grading Criteria:
Potential “positive” points:
- Does the entry contain an example of research in the media?
- Does the entry briefly summarize the popular (research in the media) source?
- Does the entry cite a scholarly source referenced in the example of research in the media?
- Does the entry provide an assessment/evaluation of the scholarly report, based on guidelines covered throughout the course?
- Does the entry briefly assess how well (sufficiently, accurately) the popular source reflects the scholarly source?
- Does the entry demonstrate an understanding of the evaluation techniques presented in the textbook?
- Does the entry include evidence in support of assertions, both from the textbook and the popular and scholarly sources?
- Are the citations complete and properly/consistently formatted (in APA/ASA style)?
- Is the post well written, including complete and proper in-text citations where applicable?
Potential “negative” points:
- Failure to cite a popular source that reflects an example of research in the media—50% off
- Failure to cite a scholarly/empirical source—50% off
- Failure to include evidence/support from the textbook—varies
- Failure to include evidence/support from the scholarly source—varies
- Plagiarism or failure to provide appropriate citations—automatic 0
- Originality or citation concerns not meeting the threshold of academic dishonesty—up to 50% off
- Late submission—10% off per day late
- Writing quality/errors—up to 10% off
DB 8: Research in the Media FOLLOW-UP (worth 30 points): Once you’ve contributed an initial entry sharing your example of research in the media, offer a substantive response to at least one other initial entry. Remember, you should comment on the quality of the research, and on research-related points that the initial entry does or does not address. Please do not simply comment on the topic of the research presented. Doing so will cause you to lose a substantial number of points for your submission. To earn full credit, you will again need to incorporate the CLOSE-UP questioning technique found on page 14 of the syllabus. As always, don’t just pose the questions, but provide the answers you feel are appropriate to those questions.
Follow-up Response Grading Criteria:
Potential “positive” points:
- Is the follow-up response thoughtful, insightful, and constructive?
- Does the response address the research-related aspects of the entry?
- Does the response demonstrate the student’s understanding of course concepts being covered in the assigned chapters?
- Does the response incorporate the CLOSE-UP questioning technique, and supply potential answers to those questions?
- Is the response presented in a respectful and professional manner?
- Is the response well written, including proper citations where applicable?
Potential “negative” points:
- Failure to incorporate textbook guidance and citations—varies
- Failure to incorporate CLOSE-UP questioning technique—varies
- Plagiarism or failure to provide appropriate citations—automatic 0
- Originality or citation concerns not meeting the threshold of academic dishonesty—up to 50% off
- Late submission—10% off per day late
- Writing quality/errors—up to 10% off
