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Based on the distinction between scholarly and non-scholarly sources, explain why the student should not use this self-help book for their academic research paper. Discuss the intended audience of the book and the methodological basis of its claims.
Case context: A first-year psychology student is writing a paper on the effects of sleep deprivation on memory. They find a popular self-help book written by a motivational speaker that claims 'lack of sleep permanently destroys brain cells, based on my personal observations coaching executives.' The student decides to use this as a primary source for their paper because the book is a bestseller and the author seems knowledgeable.
Question: Based on the distinction between scholarly and non-scholarly sources, explain why the student should not use this self-help book for their academic research paper. Discuss the intended audience of the book and the methodological basis of its claims.
Sample answer: The student should not use the self-help book because it is a non-scholarly source intended for the general public, not an academic audience. Furthermore, its claims are based on the author's personal experience and observations rather than rigorous empirical data, and it has not undergone peer review by other researchers.
Key points:
- Identifies the self-help book as a non-scholarly source.
- Notes that the book is intended for the general public.
- Explains that the book lacks peer review.
- Points out that the claims are based on personal experience instead of empirical data.
Rubric: The answer should demonstrate comprehension by correctly identifying the source as non-scholarly. It must explicitly mention that the book is intended for the general public, lacks peer review, and relies on personal experience rather than empirical data.
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Research Methods in Psychology - 4th American Edition @ KPU
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