STEM 2-1

Overview

Identifying relevant sources of information that are both credible and reliable is an important skill, for academic research and also for everyday decision making. We are surrounded by information from traditional media like newspapers, television, and radio, as well as modern platforms such as social media, blogs, podcasts, and online news sites. With so many sources available, it is more important than ever to recognize which ones provide accurate, unbiased data. Developing this skill will help you better understand the issues that affect your community and consider possible solutions. This assignment builds toward Part One of the project. You will expand on it in Module Four as you continue to analyze your chosen topic and issue.

Scenario

For your project scenario, you are concerned about a particular scientific issue that is contributing to inequity within your community. In order to bring attention to this issue and advocate for meaningful change, youve decided to engage in the legislative process. Lawmakers (your local representatives) do not always have the time or specialized knowledge to fully understand complex scientific issues. Your role as a citizen scientist serves as a bridge between scientific evidence and policymaking to help inform decisions that promote social justice in your community.

To take action, youve scheduled a meeting with your local representatives. In preparation, you will write an executive summary paper using the provided template. The summary will outline the issue, explain its scientific foundation using the latest research and data, and show how it contributes to inequities within your community. This paper will serve as a guide for what you plan to share during your conversation with lawmakers.

Directions

For this assignment, you will choose a specific STEM-related issue to investigate for your project, building from the broader topic you chose in the Module One Journal assignment. You will select three or more sources you can use to investigate the issue. You will then apply the SIFT method to determine the appropriateness of one of your sources for use in your project. To help you get started, the Project Resources document in the Supporting Materials section provides examples of scientific topics and related issues.

If you select a different STEM-related issue, ensure research or data from credible organizations or sources support it. If you have questions, reach out to your instructor for guidance.

Complete this assignment using the template linked in the What to Submit section.

Specifically, you must address the following:

Part One: Sources

1. Locate Sources: Locate sources related to the STEM-related issue you chose for your project.
2. Locate at least three sources related to the STEM-related issue. You may select sources from the Project Resources document, linked in the Supporting Materials section. You can also choose your own sources that are not included in the document.
3. For each source, create an APA citation entry that would appear on a references list.
4. Connection to Issue: Explain connections between the STEM-related issue and the selected sources, showing how the sources support understanding of the issue.
5. Do the three sources directly connect to your STEM-related issue?
6. How do the three sources relate to your knowledge of the issue at this point?
7. How do the three sources relate to your desired knowledge of the issue?

Part Two: Determining Validity

First, select one of the sources you located. Next, use the SIFT method to evaluate the validity of the source and connect it back to your issue by responding to each of the prompts.

1. Initial Reaction: Describe your initial reaction to the source.
2. This relates to the first step of the SIFT method: Stop and reflect. Consider the following questions in your answer:
3. Do you recognize the source of the information?
4. Does the content of the source elicit an emotional response in you? If so, could this be the result of bias?
5. Does the source fit the purpose of your research?
6. How does this source shape your initial understanding of the issue?
7. Accurate and Reliable Information: Explain whether the source is likely to present accurate, reliable information.
8. This relates to the second step of the SIFT method: Investigate the source. Consider the following questions in your answer:
9. What do you know about where this source comes from?
10. Do you think it is reliable?
11. When was it published?
12. Is the information in the source accurate?
13. Is the source peer-reviewed?
14. Does it include references for facts and statements?
15. Who wrote it?
16. Would you consider them an authority on the issue?
17. How does this sources reliability (or unreliability) impact research on your issue?
18. Credibility: Explain whether the information in the source is credible.
19. This relates to the third step of the SIFT method: Find supporting evidence. Consider the following questions in your answer:
20. Are there other sources that support the information in this one?
21. Does the information in other sources confirm or contradict facts or statements in this one?
22. What role does this source play in supporting or challenging your understanding of the issue?
23. Original Source: Describe the original source of the information.
24. This relates to the fourth step of the SIFT method: Trace claims. Consider the following questions in your answer:
25. Is the source you are evaluating the original source of the information?
26. Does the source include the entire article, video, research study, and so on, or is it an edited or summarized version?
27. Does the source rely on another source for most of its information?
28. How does knowing the origin of this information affect your confidence in using it for research on your issue?

Part Three: Conclusion

1. Appropriate: Explain why the source is or is not appropriate for your project.
2. Consider the points below when determining whether a source is appropriate for your project:
3. After evaluating the source using the SIFT method, do you think that the source is credible and reliable enough to help you understand the issue?
4. Is the source relevant to the STEM-related issue you chose for your project?
5. Does the source have the information you need for your project?
6. Does the source show any signs of bias that affects how you interpret or summarize the issue?

What to Submit

Submit your completed . Your submission should be a 1- to 2-page Microsoft Word document with 12-point Times New Roman font, double spacing, and one-inch margins. Cite the three or more sources that you will be using for your project. Sources should be cited according to APA style both throughout and at the end of your paper.