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Another controlling actor was that the participants had to be free from the use of antidepressant medications due to their affect on sexual function. Lastly, because of sexual orientation influencing satisfaction, only those identifying themselves heterosexual were included in the study. Once the participants met the stud’s criteria, they gathered at a university campus where a research assistant explained the study in detail. Data for the article was compiled through the use of surveys. Half of the participants completed paper questionnaires while the remaining half completed their questionnaires inline using lab computers.
After filtering multiple relationship variables, sexual desire and relationship length were evaluated for each man and woman. The study concluded that men and women were generally satisfied in their current relationship and sexual interactions. However, the study also indicated that, while a man’s sexual desire does not decrease over time, a woman’s desire for sex does decrease as the relationship duration increases (Murray & Malthusian, 2012). Published by The New York Times, contributing writer Daniel Brenner wrote an article titled “Unexcited? There May Be a Pill or That”.
In this online magazine article, the drugs Libido and Libidos are highlighted as the possible cure for women’s low sexual desire. Rather than a simple female version of the popular drug Vagina, this new female desire drug would do more than cause a physical change. This desire drug would affect the brain’s psyche while increasing blood flow (Brenner, 2013). The study was introduced and marketed to the masses by radio, newspaper, and Scraggliest ads. Through an application process, factors such as age, relationship status and stability, and lack of lust were evaluated in order to elect a study group.
A total of 420 people, ranging from age 20 to 60, were selected to participate in the Libido and Libidos studies. As many as 1 6 research sites were contracted across the country in order to conduct the study. Interviews were conducted and documented with the participants about their comfort with fantasies and sexual feelings. Genetic markers were also examined from blood samples taken from the participants as part Of the diagnostic method. Libido and Libidos results have been compiled and are with the FDA for approval.
While the outcome of relationships cannot be predicted as a result of using this drug research data shows Libido and Libidos manifesting undeniable benefits in desire (Brenner, 2013). The scholarly article and the popular media article summarized above were lengthier than originally anticipated. It took more than just a quick once-over to grasp the full depth of the information. Without a doubt, both the scholarly and popular media articles are aimed at informing the audience. The topics are introduced, explained, and then backed up with referenced researched ATA.
However, while the end goal of presenting information appears to be the same, they have very different approaches. The scholarly article is very direct in its approach. The information is laid out up front which allows the reader to comprehend the main topic fairly quickly. It is quick to throw hard data such as numbers and charts in your face. This approach allows the reader to visually review the data and make their own comparisons of the researched results. The popular media article takes an approach, not only to inform the audience but, to entertain them.
This article begins with a short storyline. This is done to capture the reader, intriguing them to read more. These storyline are developed from real experiences that some people may be able to relate with. To a certain extent, it can reach some readers at an emotional level; making the reader feel bad or sorry for the individual in the story. It also sets the theme which is to come. The real information isn’t introduced until the storyline has pulled the reader into a problematic scenario; in this case, a decreased sexual desire.
At this point, the hard facts re introduced; a quick snapshot into the history of the present problem followed by the idea for a cure. Similar to the scholarly article, the popular media article uses multiple paragraphs to reference prior researches in order to solidify the popularity of this problem. However, soon after the presentation of facts the article defers back to stories. This is a reoccurring trend with this article because not too much longer, after a couple more stories, additional information on the history to find a cure begins… Followed by more stories. Both articles provide value to the consumers reading.
Which type a person decides to read may depend on many different reasons; availability, level of education, or interest level of the topic. As far as disadvantages, the scholarly article may provide too much data for some. Unwanted data will be skipped over for different reasons. The reader may not find interest in being able to compare the raw data by way of charts. Evaluating the way information is presented in the popular media article highlights its own set of drawbacks. Opposite to a scholarly article, a popular media article has the ability to select participants that will favor preconceived exults.
Volunteer bias and generalization may also be present in popular media. Being that this type Of article is aimed at entertaining as well as informing, it can be difficult at times to extract the actual data from the opinion based data. Magazine articles tend to capture your eye with a catchy title then steer the reader into a certain direction. Which type of article is better? The answer to this question would be difficult to answer. Each source can be an important means of communicating information. However, there are reasons why one would be choose scholarly over popular media.
The scholarly approach is based on unbiased research. According to Greenberg (201 0), “Researchers do not set out to “prove” something but instead conduct research scientifically to discover what is-??not necessarily just what they want it to be” (p 32) There is little room to argue whether or not these articles are aimed to communicate a certain message to the reader. Both present information based on conducted research in order to inform the reader of the topic presented. However, when we dig deeper, comparing and contrasting the two, we find that they are also very different in many ways.