Lecture 1
Consumer’s Guide to Understanding Science and Social Science Research – Introduction (week 1)
Lecture 1 - Social Science Rules of Thumb
Introduction
One result of the 24-hour news cycle is that each of us is now a ‘consumer’ of science; today, research findings are reported by both familiar and emerging media with varying levels of credibility. Mass media do not always report the most important or impactful research findings, nor is reporting always accurate. Some online media outlets are more reliable than others. There are certain things to keep in mind when estimating the likely credibility of various media outlets.
Learning Objectives
This unit will provide an overview of this course, evaluation components, and SFU Library system intro
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
Describe how you are a consumer of science;
List rules of thumb when assessing the credibility of various sources for science information;
Explain how to find scientific journal articles using the SFU Library system
What is science?
What Research is Chosen by Journalits to Publicize
Is it the very best science journalists choose to report? Uh, no. Journalists rarely select the best science but look for results that are most likely to be of wide interest.
Below is a very unscientific list of reasons why 1 study might capture a journalist’s interest versus others.
1. WTF?
Research Study Finds Opposite Gender Friends a “Burden”
2. Opposite than we assumed
Meta-Analysis: High-Dosage Vitamin E Supplementation May Increase All-Cause Mortality
3. No %&^$ Sherlock!
Scientific Study Finds Men like Looking at Breasts
4. Outlier findings - Conclusions that stand in contrast to current understanding
Continental-scale temperature variability during the past two millennia
5. Interesting science
Research finds 'US effect ' exaggerates results in human behaviour studies
Can Dogs Feel Our
Lecture 1 - Social Science Rules of Thumb
Introduction
One result of the 24-hour news cycle is that each of us is now a ‘consumer’ of science; today, research findings are reported by both familiar and emerging media with varying levels of credibility. Mass media do not always report the most important or impactful research findings, nor is reporting always accurate. Some online media outlets are more reliable than others. There are certain things to keep in mind when estimating the likely credibility of various media outlets.
Learning Objectives
This unit will provide an overview of this course, evaluation components, and SFU Library system intro
By the end of this unit, you should be able to:
Describe how you are a consumer of science;
List rules of thumb when assessing the credibility of various sources for science information;
Explain how to find scientific journal articles using the SFU Library system
What is science?
What Research is Chosen by Journalits to Publicize
Is it the very best science journalists choose to report? Uh, no. Journalists rarely select the best science but look for results that are most likely to be of wide interest.
Below is a very unscientific list of reasons why 1 study might capture a journalist’s interest versus others.
1. WTF?
Research Study Finds Opposite Gender Friends a “Burden”
2. Opposite than we assumed
Meta-Analysis: High-Dosage Vitamin E Supplementation May Increase All-Cause Mortality
3. No %&^$ Sherlock!
Scientific Study Finds Men like Looking at Breasts
4. Outlier findings - Conclusions that stand in contrast to current understanding
Continental-scale temperature variability during the past two millennia
5. Interesting science
Research finds 'US effect ' exaggerates results in human behaviour studies
Can Dogs Feel Our
References: Elliott, Rogers. (1998). Tests, Abilities, Race, and Conflict. Intelligence, 12, 333-350. MacMillan, D. L. & Forness, S. R. (1998). The Role of IQ in Special Education Placement Decisions: Primary and Determinative or Peripheral and Inconsequential? Remedial and Special Education, 19, 239-253. Riverside Country Special Education Local Plan Area. (2012). Assessing African-Americans for Special Education. Retrieved from http://www.rcselpa.org/docs/policies/Section%20III%20Evaluations/III.h%20Guidelines%20for%20Assessing%20African-American%20Students.pdf. Thomas, W. (2012, July). IQ Testing of African Americans: A Review and Update. Presented at the 44th ABPsi Annual International Convention, Los Angeles, CA. Retrieved from http://www.casponline.org/pdfs/pdfs/I_Q_TESTING_Part_2_WThomas.pdf. Rule 4 – All academic journals are not created equally Open access published, anything can be published in a ‘journal’ today (like ‘university’, academic journal can mean many things today e.g., at least 80 gerontology journals alone