Clearly state the statistic of interest and the popular source.
The statistic of interest is a report in the CNN News article “more Educated Tend to Be More Religious by Some Measures” reported on August 11 2011. It states that individuals become more religious with an increase in education levels.
Clearly state the academic journal from which the media-reported statistic originated and the author or authors who conducted the study.
Schwadel, Philip. "The Effects of Education on Americans’ Religious Practices, Beliefs, and Affiliations." Review of Religious Research 53 (n.d.): 161-182. Print.
Explain in detail, how the statistic reported in the popular media was “measured.” How did the author(s) determine “involvement with religious institutions? Did the author(s) clearly describe how data for the reported statistic was gathered? As one example: Did the author(s) interview people? If so how many, how did they recruit people to participate? What questions did the author(s) ask? What do you think of the questions?
The study sources its information from data collected by the National Research center at the University of Chicago on the General social survey. The University of Chicago has been cumulatively collecting the data biannually since 1972. This data provides the gold standard general social survey relied upon by social scientists. The standard provides information on social surveys collected from 1972 to 2010. The study randomly selected respondents from it faculties and departments to answer the questions aimed at establishing the relationship between education and religion. The study also conducted some phone interviews to a section of the respondents.
In the measure and determination of the respondent’s beliefs and faith, the researchers asked questions such as “Do you believe in God without any doubts? Do you believe with various levels of doubt? Do you have different concepts regarding God? Do you or not believe in a higher power?” The questions however do not reflect how beliefs in particular matters of faith have an effect on the religious practices. One may believe in the existence of a higher power but may not be religious.
What do you think of the way behaviors or attitudes were measured? (e.g., Can you think of a better way to determine whether someone is an atheist? Can you think of a better way to determine “involvement with a religious institution”?)
Determining the actual involvement in religious activities is important. A respondent may answer positively to all the questions a give an indication he is religious even though he may not. Asking how often and to what extent they do involve themselves in religious activities and going to church would determine whether they are religious or not. From the results, there is an indication that likelihood one’s involvement in religion rises with increase in education. I feel that how education rises the likelihood should be clearly shown.
Was there any other crucial information that the popular media account left out or distorted about the reported statistic? If yes, explain what is missing. If not, explain your answer
The report headline in the CNN news does not give a full picture of the actual academic report. The academic study is not pegged on one assumption that educated people are not religious; it examines the overall impact of education on religion. It examines how education shapes, ads, or subtracts and affects the already acquired set of religious beliefs and practices. The report in the news uses the research to disapprove the singled out assumption that educated people are not religious. This is not what the study is about in totality even though it reflections on the assumptions are a part of the study.
Clearly identify the original and popular sources in a reference page
Schwadel, Philip. "The Effects of Education on Americans’ Religious Practices, Beliefs, and Affiliations." Review of Religious Research 53 (n.d.): 161-182. Print
Kavanagh, Jim. "Study: More educated tend to be more religious, by some
measures." CNN Belief blog. 11 Aug. 2011:
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/11/study-more-educated-tend-to-be-more-
religious-by-some-measures/?iref=allsearch. 12 Sept. 2012.
Work Cited
Schwadel, Philip. "The Effects of Education on Americans’ Religious Practices, Beliefs, and Affiliations." Review of Religious Research 53 (n.d.): 161-182. Print
Kavanagh, Jim. "Study: More educated tend to be more religious, by some
measures." CNN Belief blog. 11 Aug. 2011:
http://religion.blogs.cnn.com/2011/08/11/study-more-educated-tend-to-be-more-
religious-by-some-measures/?iref=allsearch. 12 Sept. 2012.
