For this article, I have located an article from a known media news source on the subject of science. It deals with scientific research and findings, as well as additional critique by a second and different article. The theme for this study and analysis is that of the physiology of human color vision.
The online article by OSA specifically describes the contents of a published scientific research experiment related to the topic. Having found the media article itself, I will then find the original media article which is being referenced by the OSA article, and in which that news article’s findings originate and were first reported in specifically. When seeking a source, go to the source’s source.
The primary source from which the second, online OSA article gets its reference content is that of none other than the first article. The second research experiment scientific article is titled “Human color vision provides nanoscale accuracy in thin-film thickness characterization”. The first one by OSA shares the same title, of course. They are referenced in different, alphabetical order at the end of this work.with the OSA (second article) being cited first, to note.
I have read both articles back to back. Both were retrieved online for this article summary piece. Please see the “works cited” page at the end of this work for more specific details and information.
“We study how accurately a naked human eye can determine the thickness of thin films from the observed color. Our approach is based on a color-matching experiment between thin-film samples and a simulated color field shown on an LCD monitor.” (Peterhänsel, Laamanen, Lehtolahti, Kuittinen, Osten, and Tervo, Abstract page)
As we can see here, an experiment was performed an evaluated. It was re-evaluated and expanded upon by OSA’s website, with no listed sole author.work of OSA. The site article was very brief.
Also in this primary article, and to conclude summarizing:
“We found that the human color observation provides an extremely accurate evaluation of the film thickness, and is comparable to sophisticated instrumental methods. The remaining color differences for the matched color pairs are close to the literature value for the smallest visually perceivable color difference.” (Peterhänsel, Laamanen, Lehtolahti, Kuittinen, Osten, and Tervo, Abstract page)
Here we may see that many aspects were covered. The topics of vision and color and varied and vast.
were done. Much cross analysis was considered in accounting for all of the numerous relatable factors.
The second written article, by OSA, summarizes itself simply:
“By harnessing the human eye’s ability to detect remarkably subtle color differences, researchers have shown that normal human vision can accurately identify ‘Thin Films’ that differ in thickness by a few nanometers, about the width of a single virus.” (OSA, 2015, page 1)
In essence, they decide to do their own analyses and study on the first article’s content, experimentation, and conclusions. They add “Research shows how accurately a naked human eye can determine the thickness of thin-films from the observed color” (OSA 2015 page 1, top of page).
The information here is clear and presentable, very easy for the reader to grasp. The one page online article is divided into two sections, and includes a picture with a side note in simplicity. The section headings are titled “The Color and Thickness of Thin Films” and “Experimental Setup”.
An editor’s note on the photo is included as well. More info. about The Optical Society is included at the bottom of the page. The web page’s color’s, I note, are unified and well used---attractive.
Experimental results were not presented in much detail at all here. Included was a general written description. No actual reported numbers, tables, graphs, or statistics were present.as quite opposed to the original article listed online and its respective website----which is loaded with such informational content.
The information found in the originating article by numerous authors was obviously a bit more scholarly and had more of an academic nature to it. This is to be expected of such work. It was, after all, the primitive scholarly article.and not a referencing critique article from a news media source.
The original article is divided very neatly in its length. It is broken up into six figures, two tables, an acknowledgements tab, and a list of twenty one fully cited references in their respective order and detail.with precision. The figures, tables, and website layout match well in size and color.
I also noted that the second article did not really differ from that of the first. It merely offered supporting analysis to the beliefs and conclusions, evidence and scientif findings of the first article. Both conclusions were consistent, which is not an usually bad trait or concept in itself.
Neither of the articles criticizes the data or conclusions. As I stated, both head toward the same apparent path. Yet the first article goes about in providing alternative conclusions in attempting to explain its data.which is not usual. This is typical of the first article in which the research is experimented.
Below is one such example:
“Contrary to the CIE recommendations for color difference evaluation [15], the surroundings of the sample and adjustable color field were white. We made this choice for the following reasons: since a neutral gray background corresponds to a luminance level that is about 20%” (Peterhänsel, Laamanen, Lehtolahti, Kuittinen, Osten, and Tervo, page 3)
It is only natural and expected. Along the way of a scientific research study, one comes to new conclusions and differing data, which may provide a few additional challenges and stumbling blocks.
The examples are many. This first article was very precise and quality driven in its pursuits. Below is one more such example of this turn to alternative conclusions and methods for more data:
“Our preliminary tests with both gray and white backgrounds did not give a definite answer on the best choice of the background color. Hence more tests have to be carried out to evaluate the influence of background illumination on the color discrimination for dark viewing conditions.” (Peterhänsel, Laamanen, Lehtolahti, Kuittinen, Osten, and Tervo, page 3)
No real criticisms or alternating viewpoints exist between the two articles, as mentioned. This helps in concluding solid factual research. The second article briefly but accurately reflects the content for both articles.
In summary, I have learned a bit here. I have new insights into how scientific research is performed and reported. I see how it is cross analyzed, as well as how it is portrayed by the limited news media: limited for time, full coverage and truth, often differing perspective, and more. Thank you for reading.
Works Cited
OSA: The Optical Society (2015).
Human Color Vision Gives People the Ability to See Nanoscale Differences. Web. Retrieved Online July 10, 2016. < http://www.osa.org/en-us/about_osa/newsroom/news_releases/2015/human_color_vision_gives_people_the_ability_to_see/>.
S. Peterhansel, H. Laamanen, J. Lehtolahti, M. Kuittinen, W. Osten, J. Tervo, Human color vision provides nanoscale accuracy in thin-film thickness characterization. Optica, Vol. 2: Issue 7 (2015). Web. < https://www.osapublishing.org/optica/fulltext.cfm?uri=optica- 2-7-627&id=321790>.
