Activity 18.1
Media Reports of Social Research

It is instructive to see how the results of political and social research are communicated to the public. This activity involves comparing a media report with an original research report. First, locate a media report of the results of a study of public policy or politics published in a national magazine (Time, Newsweek, U S. News and World Report) or a national newspaper like the New York Times or Washington Post. Second, locate a copy of the original report (this should be cited in the media report). Finally, read both reports and provide a written evaluation of the media report that takes into account completeness and accuracy.