Science in the Era of Covid 19
Assignment #1: Science in the Era of Covid 19
Due Monday by 11:55pm Points 15
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Available Jun 13 at 12am - Jun 22 at 11:59pm 10 days
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Thinking Critically about Science!
You have learned about the nature of the Scientific Method in Module 1 of our course;
particularly you should now understand that science is a process!
However, sometimes this aspect of science becomes very frustrating to many people, including
both scientists and non-scientists alike. Consider the current COVID-19 pandemic: scientists
are under an immense amount of pressure to find out as much as possible about this virus and
come up with ways to stave off the symptoms and ultimately deliver a vaccine as soon as
possible. People who are not scientists are consuming news from multiple sources that may
not be well-reported or may be entirely unreliable.
This week's assignment involves the nature of science, anecdotal versus scientific data, and
clearing up misconceptions. As discussed in the module, it is very important to be able to
understand what science is and what it is not. For discussion, you'll use this webpage that
addresses Misconceptions about Science.
(http://undsci.berkeley.edu/teaching/misconceptions.php) A misconception is
an incorrect view based on faulty understanding. The website link lists several common
misconceptions and then provides corrections for each of them. An additional resource is A
Rough Guide to Spotting Bad Science (https://www.compoundchem.com/wp-
content/uploads/2014/04/A-Rough-Guide-to-Spotting-Bad-Science-20151.pdf) . This page details
the hallmarks of "bad science", or how people may promote ideas that have not been
appropriately studied through the scientific process.
Please answer the five questions below. You can either cut and paste your answers or you
may upload a file (please do not post links to Google Docs or use the Apple .pages format;
only use approved formats). Your answers (without the questions) should total at least 300
words.
Anth 1 Assignment #1 Grading Rubric
1. Sometimes people typically depend on anecdotal evidence instead of scientific evidence.
Can you think of an example? Use this as an opportunity to clearly demonstrate you know
what these terms mean; do not simply repeat examples from the course.
2. Do you think people are more likely to trust first-hand stories from individuals they know or
general scientific information? Briefly discuss.
3. What do you think are some of the reasons that many people are skeptical about a lot of
science today (e.g., vaccines, round earth, climate change, belief in conspiracy theories)?
If you happen to be a science skeptic, please do not use this space to promote your
ideas. I am looking for WHY people hold these views, not WHAT the views are.
4. Select one of the MISCONCEPTIONS about Science described on the website provided.
How does it contribute to people's mistrust of science (maybe yourself? someone you
know?). Alternatively, you may select one of the issues in bad science reporting or faulty
analyses from the Bad Science Guide to address this.
5. How could this problem be corrected? Do you think people who mistrust science are likely
to change their minds?
Total Points: 15.0
Criteria Ratings Pts
3.0 pts
3.0 pts
3.0 pts
3.0 pts
3.0 pts
Question
1 3.0 pts
Full Marks
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question fully and
appropriately.
2.0 pts
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question,
possibly too
brief or not
entirely clear.
1.0 pts
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Answer is incomplete or
not entirely appropriate.
Did you misunderstand
the question?
0.0 pts
No Marks
Does not
answer the
question.
Question
2 3.0 pts
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question fully and
appropriately.
2.0 pts
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question,
possibly too
brief or not
entirely clear.
1.0 pts
Low Marks
Answer is incomplete or
not entirely appropriate.
Did you misunderstand
the question?
0.0 pts
No Marks
Does not
answer the
question.
Question
3 3.0 pts
Full Marks
Answers
question fully and
appropriately.
2.0 pts
Partial Marks
Answers
question,
possibly too
brief or not
entirely clear.
1.0 pts
Low Marks
Answer is incomplete or
not entirely appropriate.
Did you misunderstand
the question?
0.0 pts
No Marks
Does not
answer the
question.
Question
4 3.0 pts
Full Marks
Answers
question fully and
appropriately.
2.0 pts
Partial Marks
Answers
question,
possibly too
brief or not
entirely clear.
1.0 pts
Low Marks
Answer is incomplete or
not entirely appropriate.
Did you misunderstand
the question?
0.0 pts
No Marks
Does not
answer the
question.
Question
5 3.0 pts
Full Marks
Answers
question fully and
appropriately.
2.0 pts
Partial Marks
Answers
question,
possibly too
brief or not
entirely clear.
1.0 pts
Low Marks
Answer is incomplete or
not entirely appropriate.
Did you misunderstand
the question?
0.0 pts
No Marks
Does not
answer the
question.