Communications Question

For this assignment you will write a brief analysis paper (about 3-4 double-spaced pages) in which you assess the accuracy of a finding (or something that turns out to be completely false) that is being advanced in the news (Breitbart has some, as do other news outlets [Fox news comes to mind but choose whichever you wish]). You may look at recent “findings” about COVID, infrastructure, healthcare, etc., news stories that reference research or you may do a search for “New study finds….,” which always turns stuff up. The goal is to find something that may have already turned out to be inaccurate or that seems not quite true. Your job is to find out using empirical methods analysis.

For example, an obesity myth is advanced by the Center for Consumer Freedom (consumerfreedom.com). The CCF is an organization sponsored and funded by the food and beverage industries with the purpose of dispelling what they purport are unfair criticisms (myths) of those industries. One look at their home page will tell you that they are not unbiased in their defense of food and beverage companies. In our training as students of the empirical social sciences, it is worth our time to dig deeper into any claims and see how their interpretation of science might lead to biased conclusions.

Continuing with this example, start by looking up scientific myths. Look at the sources that accompany these claims and then compare their claims to what you find in your search of the empirical literature by going to ZSR.wfu.edu, clicking search databases. You must provide at least 3 criticisms (or arguments) against what they are claiming is true. Be sure to acknowledge if what they are saying is partially true (in other words, have a fair tone to your arguments). You will find the section in chapter one on misleading samples, misleading measures, etc. to be useful.

This is a brief paper that should be focused on your critical thinking and analysis skills, so organize your paper as follows:

Short introduction: let me know what finding/myth you are addressing and what their main argument in support of that myth is.

Your three main counterarguments or criticisms or issues with what they are arguing. These should include APA citations and should state CLEARLY why the “finding” is possibly inaccurate or at least not as it was portrayed. Full credit is given when you use terms from the text: sample, bias, control group, etc. The more specific you are, the better.