“Did they summarize the entire paper, or did they just focus on a couple of experiments?

“Social Science Research in the Media” Assignment for
SOC 207, Leisure, Recreation, and Sports:
Social scientific findings are frequently highlighted in
the media yet media articles are much different than the peer-reviewed
research articles and media summaries are not always accurate. In this
assignment you will find/choose a media article that refers to social scientific
findings on a topic that is related to this class. You will also read the
primary research article that is referenced in the media article. You will
write a 2-3 page (double spaced) essay on whether the media article was an
accurate representation of the research findings.

At the end of this activity, you will be able to:

Differentiate
between scholarly work (a research article) and popular modes of
knowledge (media article).
Appreciate
the importance of the peer review process in publishing scholarly work.
Engage
critically and reflectively with scholarly discourse.
Exercise
critical thinking in writing.

First, find/choose a media article written by a
journalist that summarizes recent research news. The topic should be related sport
and leisure and it should link to a primary peer-reviewed research article.

Next, find and read closely the primary
peer-reviewed research article that the journalist was spotlighting in their
article. Most reputable articles will link the original article in the text
or at the end in their reference section

In 2-3 pages, you should:

Summarize
the media article. Who wrote the article, where was it published? Why did the journalist think it was
relevant? Did they talk about multiple research articles or just focus
on one? Did they summarize the entire paper, or did they just focus on a
couple of experiments? Answers to these points require you to read the
primary research article.
Summarize
what the primary research article reported. What was the hypothesis or
thesis? What did they find? Did they interpret the data correctly? Why
is it important?
Determine
whether the media article accurately represented the findings presented
in the research article. Did they distort the findings? Were they
incorrect in their reporting? Did they leave anything out? Refer to our
course materials, as applicable. Explain why you think the media article
accurately

or inaccurately portrayed the
findings of the primary literature.

Discuss
how you might correct the media article, if any.
Include
a references section where you provide links to both the media article
and the primary research article

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