You will find two different sources related to one of the topics described below. One of the sources should be a primary source, meaning it has been peer-reviewed and is published in an academic, medical, or professional journal (online publication). The second source should be a secondary source, meaning it is an article that summarizes, interprets, analyzes, or provides commentary on a related topic, but is not itself peer-reviewed literature. Both sources should address the same general topic, even if they are not exactly alike, to allow for a reasonable comparison between the two.
Think about the similarities and differences between the primary and secondary sources, both in terms of formatting and formality, and the content.
Construct an essay in which you address the following:
Discuss any difficulty you had in finding either the primary or secondary source, or both – was it easy to identify primary research and distinguish it from secondary sources? Was it easy to identify a valid secondary source and distinguish it from the rest of the crazy internet?
Provide an overview of the topic you selected and how both the primary and secondary source are relevant.
Give a description of the content of both articles. How was the research conducted? What hypothesis was being tested?
Explain what you learned from the primary article in the context of this course – meaning, what did you learn about the skeletal and/or muscular system and it’s role in the aforementioned processes?
Did you learn anything new from the secondary article, with regard to the skeletal and/or muscular system and it’s role in the aforementioned processes?
Both the primary and secondary articles probably drew some conclusions from the research – which conclusions were more clear and easy to follow?
Do you feel the conclusions in either article were biased or opinionated? How might that impact your understanding of the skeletal and/or muscular system processes discussed?
Would you have drawn the same conclusions from the research as the primary author? Would you have drawn the same conclusions as the secondary author?
How does the information in the primary source fit into your understanding of the skeletal and/or muscular system? How does it apply to everyday life or career?
How does the information in the secondary source fit into your understanding of the skeletal and/or muscular system? How does it apply to everyday life or career?
What did you learn from the research and comparison, and what are the biggest takeaways you will remember?
When searching for topics that impact you, are you more likely to seek out primary or secondary research, and why?
Does completing a source comparison help you feel more comfortable in your own ability to evaluate and analyze how articles are written? Do you feel more skeptical about secondary articles now that you have a better understanding of primary research?
Please note that you MUST cite your sources using appropriate format where you are relaying ideas that are not your own. Please do not directly quote a source, and instead paraphrase the information and place a citation. (Here’s a handy guide if you’re unfamiliar with how to do this: Owl PurdueLinks to an external site.)
Please post your essay to Canvas in this assignment’s submission page.
There is not a specific length requirement. For reference, most students successfully accomplish this assignment with a submission that is about 1.5-2.5 pages (single-spaced, 0.5-1” margins, size 11 font) in length. The essay should be professional and conversational in tone, and should consist of developed paragraphs with well-defined topics. This should not be a bulleted list or abbreviated text.