SCOM1101 Introduction to Scientific Practices; 2012
Assignment 2: Article
Objective
The aim of this assignment is for you to demonstrate your ability to write an engaging article about a scientific topic, concept, project or discovery. The target audience for your article is non-specialists. You are not writing for fellow scientists in the field.
Outcomes
After completing this assignment you should be able to:
• distil complex science into a simple, interesting article,
• define the main message you want to impart in the article,
• be able to assess credibility of the information that you are using and cite it appropriately,
• condense complex scientific information into key concepts and reassemble information into concise, understandable, jargon-free material,
• be able to peer and self-assess articles and
• be able to improve your writing by accepting constructive criticism.
Assessment
This assignment will contribute 20% towards your final grade.
Due Dates:
You must submit your article by midnight, Saturday 7 April. Articles submitted after this time accrue penalties for late submission.
You must peer review three classmates’ articles and provide constructive suggestions for improving those articles by midnight, Thursday 12 April.
You have the opportunity to revise your article after peer review and resubmit it by midnight, Monday 16 April. The version of the article submitted on 16 April will be marked by your tutor. You must resubmit your article, irrespective of the number of comments you receive.
Format
Your article assignment will be no more than 750 words.
Submit your assignment on the LMS unit website. Take care how you name your file or else your tutor will not find it and mark it and you will not get credit. Name your file: YourStudentNumber_Assignment2
The assignment submission for 7 April should contain:
1. the text of your article, (no special formatting)
The assignment submission for 16 April should contain:
1. the text of your article, (no special formatting),
2. a Turnitin report demonstrating originality and
3. a bibliography with at least three scholarly references, cited using APA style.
Resource:
Cook, J., & Lewandowsky, S. (2011). The Debunking Handbook. St. Lucia, Australia: University of Queensland. November 5. ISBN 978-0-646-56812-6. [http://sks.to/debunk]
Can be found at www.skepticalscience.com/docs/Debunking_Handbook.pdf
Marking Criteria; Your article will be marked using the following criteria:
• Title – Is the title appropriate and engaging? Does it encapsulate the topic?
• Opening Paragraph – Is the opening paragraph clear and does it state the significance of the topic to the target audience?
• Content – Includes who, what, when, where, why and how. Presents key points and complex concepts simply and accurately. Conveys the importance of the science to the target audience and explains the subject well.
• Content – Allows reader to ascertain credibility by clear and concise referral to sources and/or methodology.
• Content – Is in your own words, as demonstrated by Turnitin report.
• Content – Bibliography demonstrates scholarly research on the topic.
• Writing – Contains no jargon or if jargon is absolutely necessary, it is explained. Vocabulary is well chosen for general audience and is free from bias.
• Writing – Structure is good. Information is clear, logical, interesting, organised. Reader can follow line of reasoning.
• Writing – Article has been thoroughly copy edited. There are no grammatical or spelling errors.
• Peer review – You have provided constructive feedback on three other students’ articles.
Hyeroglyphics
What you should do:
1. Choose a topic as described in the next section.
2. Research that topic. Find at least three scholarly references that are primary sources, with empirical evidence that support statements you are making in your article.
3. Write an article that is no more than 750 words. Submit an electronic copy of your assignment to your tutor via the unit’s LMS website.
4. Choose articles written by three other students in your tutorial group, read them and post constructive feedback. If an article already has three comments, no further comments will be marked.
5. Read the feedback provided to you by your peers and determine how best to use that feedback in revising your article.
6. Resubmit your article.
Optional Topics
You may select any topic of your choice. If unsure, check your topic with your tutor to ensure it is appropriate.
OR
You may select an ‘intermediate’ article from the website www.skepticalscience.com and rewrite it as a ‘basic’ article. Your article must use your own original wording.
NB: If you chose this option and your assignment is of sufficient quality, your article may be used by John Cook of www.skepticalscience.com and you can add this to your cv.
Some optional ‘intermediate’ articles include:
Does CO2 always correlate with temperature (and if not, why not?)
http://www.skepticalscience.com/co2-temperature-correlation.htm
Empirical evidence that humans are causing global warming
http://www.skepticalscience.com/empirical-evidence-for-global-warming.htm
What’s the link between cosmic rays and climate change?
http://www.skepticalscience.com/cosmic-rays-and-global-warming.htm
What evidence is there for the hockey stick?
http://www.skepticalscience.com/broken-hockey-stick.htm
Greenland used to be green
http://www.skepticalscience.com/greenland-used-to-be-green.htm
If you are unsure about any aspect of this assignment, discuss it with your tutor ASAP.
