Media vs. Science

Science Reported in Media vs. Science Reported in Media vs.Scholarly Scholarly
Sources Sources
Goals of the Report
− to demonstrate that you are able to research diverse scientific aspects of astronomy
− to research material at a sufficient depth
− to compare the quantity and quality of research as reported in popular media sources versus original
scholarly research findings
− to communicate your research in a clear and concise manner, with proper English language grammar,
demonstrating that you understand the topics presented
Topics of Research
Since astronomy is essentially the study of the whole universe, a wide variety of topics are suitable for this
research project. The only topic-suitability requirement is that the scientific research in question is on a
subject related to any of the topics studied in our course. The other requirement is that the research is of an
observational nature (i.e. where quantifiable observations/measurements were taken), rather than of
theoretical nature (i.e. where only computer models and/or theoretical models were studied, without
observational measurements taken). These are very broad topic categories, to allow you the greatest
flexibility in finding a suitable research article.
What to Submit
The complete research project will consist of:
• media article (filename: Media_Article)  submitted to the ‘The Rest’ assignment link
• scholarly article (filename: Scholarly_Article)  submitted to the ‘The Rest’ assignment link
• your report comparing these two articles, in WORD FORMAT (or other word-editing format that
was used to write it up; not pdf!) (filename: Report)  submitted to the ‘Report’ assignment link
How to Submit:
All three files are to be uploaded by the indicated due date in Moodle, in the appropriate submission links,
with the proper file names as listed above. Written files should be submitted in MS Word (or other standard
editing format. Media and scholarly articles must be attached as full files, in either .doc or .pdf format.
IMPORTANT DEADLINES
Last digit of Student Number Allowed Publication Date Range for Media Article Project Due Date
0, or 1, or 2, or 3, or 4 Sept. 24 – N
NATS 1740B: ASTRONOMY F-W 2018-19
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Stage 1: Read the ‘SPARK: Academic Integrity’ Resources
Before commencing your research, you are required to read in its entirety the Academic Resources for
students, posted on the SPARK (Student Papers and Academic Research Kit) website:
http://www.yorku.ca/spark/academic_integrity/index.html
Stage 2: Finding the Media Article
You must find an article from an acceptable newspaper or news magazine or other popular media news
source that specifically describes the contents of a published scientific research experiment (of a physical,
not theoretical, nature) on any of the appropriate research topics (see page 1). For help with ideas about
appropriate key words to use when searching the media sources, look to the general topics listed in the
Schedule. Or, alternatively, you can also simply browse the most recent news stories posted at these media
news sources, in the allowed date range, to find one on a suitable topic.
The following are some examples of acceptable media sources for this project:
Science News (sciencenews.org), Universal-Sci, Astronomy Magazine, Universe Today, Portal to the
Universe, Science Centric, Science/AAAS, Nature, CBC News: Technology & Science, Scientific
American, Popular Science, National Geographic News, Science and Technology for Canadians,
Maclean’s Magazine, The Toronto Star, Globe and Mail; others
Note that web blogs, wikis, and other individually-run websites are NOT acceptable forms of media
reporting for this project.
Media articles must be at least 500 words in length (longer is better), and should focus on one primary
original research experiment rather than discussing the results of many different experiments (and/or
theoretical papers).
If you need help with determining the suitability of a particular media article, do NOT post the specific
article title and/or web address in the Moodle forum. Instead, send an email (including your full name in it,
as well as he URL to the actual article itself) to the following address: [email protected]
(Make sure to keep a copy of your email for yourself as back up.) Our course Teaching Assistant will
respond to your question on media article topic suitability within about 2 days. (For all other questions about
the project, post your general questions in the public Research Project discussion forum in Moodle, or
private question by email to [email protected]).
HELPFUL TIPS:
• The York library system allows you to search many newspapers and magazines online from
its home page: http://www.library.yorku.ca/
• Particularly helpful database to use in this research is the General Science Abstracts (via
Wilson); search for its title on the York Library homepage
• The Steacie Science and Engineering Library is a whole library at York dedicated to science!
(It even has real-life librarians who can help you!)
NATS 1740B: ASTRONOMY F-W 2018-19
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NATS 1740B: ASTRONOMY F-W 2018-19
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1. Describe the structure or format of the article – how is the information presented to the reader? Is the
   article divided up into sections, and if so what are they? (This applies to both media and scholarly
   articles).
2. For the media article, how are the experimental results presented? (For example, is it just a general
   written description, are actual numbers reported, are there tables, graphs, statistics?)
3. Compare the general conclusions of the media article with the general conclusions of the research paper.
   Do they differ in any way, and if so, how?
4. Does either of the articles criticize the data, criticize the conclusions, provide alternate hypotheses or
   conclusions to explain the data? If so provide details.
5. Does one article provide criticism or alternate viewpoints that the other article fails to mention? If so,
   what are they? (For example, do the authors of the research article mention limitations of their research
   and conclusions that are left out of the media article?)
6. Does the title of the media article accurately reflect the content of both the media article and the research
   article? If not, provide details.
7. Has this exercise given you any insights into how scientific research is done and reported, or into how
   the media covers such research?
   Format and Expectations of the Report
   • This is NOT AN ESSAY; therefore you do not need to have a thesis, or try to ‘prove’ or ‘disprove’
   any argument(s). Instead, you are asked to report on the differences between science research as
   presented in popular media versus scholarly journals. Your report can simply answer each of the
   numbered items as they are presented above, in a numbered sequence. Do NOT include the text of
   the questions in your report; simply label each answer with the corresponding question number only.
   • The report should be 1,200 to 1,500 words, of standard font 12 text.
   • 1” margins on all sides should be used.
   • There is no particular preferred style of citation that has to be used, as long as your style is consistent.
   You will use only 2 sources in your report, so citation of them should be quite straightforward.
   • Quoting of the articles themselves should be kept to a minimum, and is NOT to be used as ‘content
   substitute’ of your report (even if it is cited). Your report should consist mostly of your own writing.
   • The report should be written with proper English grammar; have your report proofread by someone
   else who is not in your class (such as your family or friends), especially if English is not your first
   language.
   NATS 1740B: ASTRONOMY F-W 2018-19
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   Academic Integrity Standards
   This project is to be completed independently by each student. Any academic integrity infractions found in
   reports will be strictly penalized, from zero on the entire report to any other appropriate penalties as outlined
   by York policies on academic integrity. Any kind of ‘copying and pasting’ (even if it is referenced) is
   discouraged – you are meant to conduct your own research and then write it up in your own words. Any
   copying between classmates will result in a penalty for all parties involved.
   Please see the following link for more details as to York’s academic honesty policy.
   http://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/document.php?document=69
   Turnitin Submission
   Note that your report will be submitted through the Turnitin assignment tool in Moodle, to review it for any
   instances of possible plagiarism. In order to help you learn from such situations first, the originality report
   on your submission will be made available to you also, after your first submission. You may re-write and resubmit your assignment as many times as needed, up to the project deadline, ensuring that your own original
   written work is the final version submitted for formal evaluation.
   Help - Academic Writing
   Academic Writing Guide (at the York University Library)
   http://researchguides.library.yorku.ca/awg
   Writing Centre at York University (offering individual writing instruction/tutoring)
   http://www.yorku.ca/laps/writ/centre/
   SPARK: Student Papers & Academic Research Kit
   http://www.yorku.ca/spark/
   Help – Workshops
   Check the York Events page to search for any relevant workshops coming up soon:
   http://www.yorku.ca/yuevents/index.asp
   Visit the Learning Skills section of the CDC website (including workshops):
   http://lss.info.yorku.ca/

Sample Solution