Environmental Science

To become a stronger researcher, make distinctions between different types of information.  Not all hold the same weight and quality for academic research.

Look at the controversial topic of wolf reintroduction in Idaho and Yellowstone to see how different groups communicate to their audiences.

Mainstream Media (National Newspapers, Magazines, Television Channels, etc.)

Goals: To share broad, interesting, or significant stories with a diverse audience.

Answers who, what, when questions. Often short and easy to understand.

Robbins, J. (2017, May 1). The new threat to wolves in and around Yellowstone. The New York Times. Retrieve here.

Local News Organization (Newspapers, Network TV Local/Regional News, etc.)

Goals: To understand how a event or belief affects its local community. To engage and inform local residents.

Barker, E. (2017, July 14). Idaho draft wolf plan has both fans and foes of the animals howling. The Lewiston Tribune. Retrieve here.

Quinn, S. (2017, July 13). Idaho considering wolf baiting- State accepting public comment on rules for hunters. The Moscow-Pullman Daily News. Retrieve here.

Advocacy Groups (Organization Websites, Newsletters or Magazines)

Goals: To endorse, spread, and support specific ideologies.

Defenders of Wildlife. (n.d.) Wolf reality check. Retrieve here.

Foundation For Wildlife Management. (n.d.) Wolf facts. Retrieve here.

Government Researchers (Annual reports, websites, guidelines, research reports, etc.)

Goals: To inform and report on tax-funded activity to citizens.

Smith, D., Stahler, D., Stahler, E., Metz, M., Cassidy, K., Cassidy, B., Koitzsch, L., Harrison, Q., Cato, E., & McIntyre, R. (2017). Yellowstone National Park Wolf Project annual report 2016 . National Park Service, Yellowstone Center for Resources, Yellowstone National Park, WY, USA, YCR-2017-02. Retrieve here.

Hayden, J. (2017). Wolf: January 1, 2016 to June 30, 2017. Idaho Fish and Game. Retrieve here.

Scientific Academic Community (Academic Journals, Academic Books, Conference Presentations, etc.)

Goals: To advance humanity's understanding of the world around us.  To answer a specific question using the scientific method.

Answers why and how questions

MacNulty, D.R., Tallian, A., Stahler, D. R., & Smith, D. W. (2014). Influence of group size on the success of wolves hunting bison. PLoS ONE 9(11): e112884. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0112884 Retrieve here. 

Cullingham, C. I., Thiessen, C. D., Derocher, A. E., Paquet, P. C., Miller, J. M., Hamilton, J. A., & Coltman, D. W. (2016). Population structure and dispersal of wolves in the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Journal Of Mammalogy, 97(3), 839-851. doi:10.1093/jmammal/gyw015 Retrieve here. 

Stephens, W. R. (2012). Gray wolf rising: Why the clash over wolf management in the Northern Rockies calls for congressional action to define “recovery” under the Endangered Species Act. William & Mary Environmental Law & Policy Review, 36(3), 917-957. Retrieve here.

Boitani, L., & Mech, L. D. (2006). Wolves : Behavior, ecology, and conservation. Chicago: University of Chicago Press. Retrieve here.