Exercise 02
Norms and Counter-norms
Dates
Due: Friday, September 8.
Goals
This exercise gives you an opportunity to consider how the norms (and counter-norms) that appear common in scientific research compare with other human activities.
Assignment
Choose a realm of human activity that you are familiar with and preferably engage in yourself that is not scientific research–e.g., a sport or game, religious activity, club or social activity, political activity, or something else. Choose two norms or counter-norms in your chosen activity and in a short essay (2-3 double-spaced pages in length) describe the norms or counter-norms in your chosen activity and discuss how they compare with the norms and counter-norms common in scientific research.
You may work with one other person if you so choose.
Submit
A 2-3 page paper in Microsoft Word format using the following file-naming convention:
<lastname>-<firstname>-PSYCH490.009-ex02.docx, where you substitute your last name for gilmore-rick-PSYCH490.009-ex02.docx. Jie will create a dropbox on Canvas for submissions. When that is ready, we will let you know via email.
Please use the APA format for your paper. I found the following template document that would be a very good start:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1IIKwtH7eVXIkQMz4FwMuKol6hMDT3ra9/copy
Tips
- Give your essay a title.
- Write an introductory paragraph with a clear thesis statement. Here’s an example: “In this essay, I describe a norm common among ham radio operators, a counter-norm implicit in the behavior of most operators, and then compare them to comparable norms and counter-norms in science.”
- Write two or more paragraphs in the body of your essay. Each paragraph should describe a separate topic. For example: In one paragraph, you might discuss a norm. In a second paragraph, you discuss a counter-norm, and in a third paragraph, you compare the norm and counter-norm to norms and counter-norms in scientific research.
- Write a short concluding paragraph where you summarize your key points.