Human Biology
Biol 1090-006
EllenMae J Johnson, Spring Semester 2012
The signature assignment for this class involved finding three news articles which cover topics
relating to those discussed in class. Each student was to evaluate each article using two different forms
which lead the student to consider many aspects of the article. These aspects relate to the scientific
credibility to the presentation of the facts, the author, and so forth.
Reflection
I enjoy the direction of this department to encourage students to think critically of the credibility of the information we meet on a moment to moment basis. It was tricky answering some of the questions. After all, when some study results are given, a matter of wording can make a difference between it being presented as a fact or opinion. The credibility of the author or cooperation behind the scientific study in the article is also a tricky thing to determine. If I were to the most objective, I suppose I could make the argument that the “expert” quote or the conclusion of the “scientist” may be fabricated, unsupported, or otherwise inauthentic.
But I don’t think it was the purpose of this exercise to make the student more skeptical of every scientific article they encounter in the future. I found that as a result, I find myself more grateful when I come across an article that is unusually transparent and objective. There is a certain scientific flavor in such an article that is easier to taste as a result of being required to try it out.
