Case Studies Reflection
(max. 2 single-spaced pages; Times New Roman 12-point font)
Use the formats .rtf, .doc, .docx, or .pdf for electronic upload to a file drop or email, and turn in a hard-copy on the day the assignment is due. Expect to share your results with the class.
· Title of case studied in the group
· Initial impression of the case studied in your group
Briefly describe your impression of the case based on the initial data set you received. Who prepared the data? What was their goal in presenting the data the way they did? Why did the data affect you in the way it did? Did your data set include sensory data (descriptions of sights, smells, sounds, or taste)? If so, how did it impact your impression of the case?
· Changes in your impression resulting from discussion within group
Briefly describe how your impression of the case evolved as you shared data within your group. Which data sets had the greatest impact on you? Which disciplines did those data sets represent? What sensory data was included and what impact did it have on you? What social and economic issues are highlighted by different data sets? What patterns emerged after comparing different data sets representing different disciplines and presentation styles/strategies? How did having multiple data sets help to reveal those patterns?
· Target audiences discussed in the group
Outline the steps you completed during your group analysis: What did you do? Did you agree upon specific types of data or presentation style(s) to reach different audiences? What role, if any, did sensory data play? Did any of the cases seem more easily presented to their target audiences? Are there any types of data or presentation styles you would avoid using with certain target audiences?
· Impressions resulting from discussion of group summaries
Describe how your impression of using data and presentation styles evolved as the groups made their presentations. Did you want to change your group’s results in any way?
· Analysis
Outline your final impression of the use of different types of data and styles of presenting it. What do you make of what happened in the case studies? Why do you think you (and others) came to the conclusions you (they) did? How did sensory perception influence your results? What might you consider the next time you read a report about an environmental concern? What ethical considerations are involved in selecting types of data and presentation styles?
Feedback Scale
0 does not fulfill the content requirements for the activity
1 fulfills the content requirements of the assignment, but the writing itself is substandard
2 fulfills the requirements of the activity
4 fulfills the assignment requirements and goes above and beyond (in complexity, nuance, and depth, not in length) in the analysis section
DRAFT GRADING RUBRIC
for Investigation Notes for Case Studies
Initial Impression / 10 9 8 / 7 6 5 4 / 3 2 1 0· Makes a clear statement of initial impression
· Explains criteria behind initial impression
· Describes contrary evidence or contrary views encountered; acknowledges ambiguity
· The data are characterized in an appropriate way
· Uses type of data effectively for evidence and purpose / Meets all criteria at high level; clear and easy to follow / Meets some criteria; uneven or has some lapses in clarity or development / Meets few criteria; often unclear or undeveloped
Changes Resulting From Group Discussion / 10 9 8 / 7 6 5 4 / 3 2 1 0
· Makes a clear statement of evolving impression
· Explains criteria behind any changes in impression
· Describes contrary evidence or contrary views encountered; acknowledges ambiguity
· The data are characterized in an appropriate way
· Interactions between the provided data sets are made clear including patterns that become clear after comparing several sets of data
· Uses type of data effectively for evidence and purpose / Meets all criteria at high level; clear and developed / Meets some criteria; uneven; some lapses in clarity / Meets few criteria; often unclear or undeveloped
Target Audience Discussion and Conclusions / 10 9 8 / 7 6 5 4 / 3 2 1 0
· Makes a clear statement of how data should be presented to different target audiences
· Concise and easy to understand description of target audiences and their needs
· Clear and concise explanation of how preferred type(s) of data and style of presentation are likely to affect a given target audience and why
· Clear and concise explanation of which type(s) of data and style of presentations should be avoided and why
· Is easy to follow—reader readily sees how the group results are supported / Meets all criteria at high level; clear, easy to follow; / Meets some criteria; uneven or has some lapses in clarity or development / Meets few criteria; often unclear or undeveloped
Overall Impressions & Concluding Analysis / 10 9 8 / 7 6 5 4 / 3 2 1 0
· Interpretation of the final results and impression is insightful, evaluative, persuasive, and self-reflexive
· Information that resulted in personal evolution is highlighted and explained
· The impact of sensory data is discussed and explained
· The likely future impact of the exercise is discussed and explained / Meets all criteria at high level; clear, easy to follow; / Meets some criteria; uneven or has some lapses in clarity or development / Meets few criteria; often unclear or undeveloped
Has strong overall effectiveness (professional appearance, clarity, impact) / 10 9 8 / 7 6 5 4 / 3 2 1 0
· Follows the assigned investigation notes format
· Is clear, well-organized, concise, adequately developed, and analytical
· Is well-edited without errors in grammar, punctuation, usage, or spelling (editing errors should result in a lower score, especially as they impact the final impression of the grader) / Meets all criteria at high level / Meets some criteria; uneven / Meets few criteria