"Talking" Social Science

As you review, keep in mind the following guidelines:

·  Who is your target audience? What are the characteristics of your audience? (sex, race, educational level, political leanings, etc.)

·  What are your key points? How can you support your points?

·  What is your means of communication? (speech, research poster, written materials)

·  What factors besides content do you need to consider in your presentation? (e.g. body language, appearance of materials)

·  What is the goal or purpose of your communication?

·  How will you know if you are successful? Knowing what works and what doesn’t can help you to improve in the future.

Respond to the following:

1. After reviewing the document “Public Attitudes to Science 2014 Topline Results” (http://www.ipsos-mori.com/Assets/Docs/Polls/pas-2014-topline.pdf), what conclusions do you make about public attitudes to science and social science? Support with evidence from the document.

2. Pick one of the following topics and demonstrate your ability to communicate in a variety of styles depending on your audience. For this discussion you do not need to provide an in-depth argument – I’m more interested in how you communicate than what you communicate – but you do need to support with facts and provide citations as appropriate. A quick Internet search should provide you with a few talking points that you need to support your position.

§  In support of climate change and the need to further regulate vehicle emissions

§  In support of animal research and the need to continue federal funding in order to find a cure for cancer

§  In support of vaccinations and the need to expand free vaccination programs around the world

§  Against the digital divide and in support of free Internet access for everyone

§  In support of genetically modified organisms (GMO’s) to reduce world hunger

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3. Policy makers are trying to decide where to allocate money for the upcoming year. Create a written mini-presentation on your topic for policy makers (2-3 paragraphs) where you try to convince them to enact policies that support your position.

4. Your cranky great-uncle Charlie is on the fence regarding the topic you’ve chosen. Create a written mini-presentation (2-3 paragraphs) where you try to convince him to come over to your side. Remember, you are a social scientist! Don’t appeal to Uncle Charlie’s emotions; instead, present evidence!

5. For each of your presentations, what do you think would be the best way to deliver your message (e.g. orally, in writing, by phone, etc.) and why?

6. Describe how your two presentations differ from one another and how they were the same. What factors did you have to consider in writing each one?

Links and Resources

CDC: “Scientific and Technical Information – Simply Put” (1999) https://www.ashg.org/pdf/CDC%20-%20'Scientific%20&%20Technical%20Information%20-%20Simply%20Put'%20%20(1999).pdf

Wimberly, R.C., & Morris, L.V. (2007). Communicating research to policymakers. American Sociologist, 38, 288-293.http://burawoy.berkeley.edu/PS/TAS2/Wimberly%20and%20Morris.pdf

Cuddy, A. (2012, June). Your body language shapes who you are

https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are