2. Reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the criteria established. Where these good criteria, or should there have been different criteria established?
As a class we agreed on the following criteria to determine if the paper presented is a legitimate scientific paper in today’s society.
a. References/sources used in the paper are from credible published works.
b. The scientific methods used in the paper are valid. This includes: accuracy/repeatability, open perspective, non-bias approach, and proper data analysis.
I personally felt that though the criteria established was broad, it did cover many of the main ideas one would use in determining the legitimacy of a scientific paper. Because this was a review publication and not new research the paper became naturally biased by the opinion and viewpoints of the authors.
3. Reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of the presentations as a whole. Consider the "yes" and "no" groups as a whole.
As a class I would say that our presentation method improved over the penny presentation, they were more on point with less filler. Some groups from both sides of the argument did put some emphasis on the content of the paper, which was not in the scope of the instructions for the presentation. Another weakness on both sides of the presentation was the lack of collaboration between the groups. If the Yes and No groups would have focused their points on a united front it would have made the presentations flow together and build up on one another.
4. Reflect on the group management of your group. What went well, what did not?
I would have to say that our group was not as united during the research for the presentation as we should have been. There was an unbalanced group dynamic which I felt took away from the strength of the presentation. Our group decided to go with two presenters who understood the information intimately, this allowed for a united front at the end of the presentation when questions could be asked from the audience.
5. Reflect on the personal "ethic" you felt in your group. Did you believe in your position? Where you arguing against your beliefs?
As a group we did not discuss if we personally believed in the paper or not, we just focused on the task at hand and felt that we did not want our personal feelings to sway our presentation in any way. When I first read the paper I felt I was on the correct side, the no side, but as I read further into the paper and did some research I flipped by personal belief on the paper. I feel that there was solid information presented along with some “not so solid/more personal or biased” information in the paper. But honestly there are flaws in all papers, given enough time we could have done this class discussion/presentation with any paper and found ways to “tear it apart”.
6. Did the class make the correct decision when considering the broader impacts of the global warming/climate change debate? Why?
The class decision for the paper was; No it is not legitimate in today’s standards. I think that the class voted based on the groups that presented on Monday rather than the previous Friday groups. I personally felt that one of the Yes groups from Friday did a great job, but because two No groups and one Yes group presented on Monday the No groups tipped the vote.
7. Explain the statement, "What we do in the US, soon will not matter." Provide evidence to justify this statement.
Because the US has been the super-power for so long we sometimes forget the huge population difference between the US and that of India or China. These are two densely populated countries whose prime focus is developing their country and technology. There is currently a slow shift in the financial power as the dollar is becoming weaker and the euro is becoming stronger. There is also a rise in anti-American beliefs throughout the world. http://articles.cnn.com/2008-11-20/politics/global.trends.report_1_china-power-report-projects?_s=PM:POLITICS
8. Explain this statement, "What we do as individuals matters." Provide evidence to justify this statement.
What we do as individuals has a impact on our world. For instance look at great icons in history such a Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, and Albert Einstein. If it weren’t for the actions that these people completed in history our world wouldn’t be what it is today. We have advanced so much over time due to their actions.
