Assignment 1: Evaluating Bias in Research

Due Week 3 and worth 60 points

Read the article titled, “As drug industry’s influence over research grows, so does the potential for bias,” located at http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/as-drug-industrys-influence-over-research-grows-so-does-the-potential-for-bias/2012/11/24/bb64d596-1264-11e2-be82-c3411b7680a9_story.html.

Review the six (6) rules of critical thinking (Chapter 1) and the steps of “Doing Sociology: A Student’s Guide to Research” (Chapter 2).

Student Success Tip: As you review the steps, jot a few notes or thoughts down. Relax and prepare to write a concise and accurate essay.

Write a one to two (1-2) page essay in which you:

1. Identify the first step in the student’s guide to research.
2. Define the first step of research in your own words.
3. Identify the major assumptions and bias of the drug industry that underlie drug research.
4. Identify the personal bias that you, as a consumer, have on the drug industry’s influence over research.

Your assignment must follow these formatting requirements:

• Be typed, double spaced, using Times New Roman font (size 12), with one-inch margins on all sides. Check with your professor for any additional instructions.
• To keep this essay short and manageable, your only sources for the essay should be the article from The Washington Post and the sections noted in your text. For this reason, APA citations or references are not required for this assignment.
• Include a cover page containing the title of the assignment, the student’s name, the professor’s name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required assignment page length.

The specific course learning outcomes associated with this assignment are:

• Define the basic concepts used in the discipline of sociology.
• Define the various methodologies for sociological research.
• Use technology and information resources to research issues in sociology.
• Write clearly and concisely about sociology using proper writing mechanics.