THE MULTIPLE WAYS OF DISSEMINATING INFORMATION

January 1989 the results of a study conducted by Ann Pytkowicz Streissguth were published in the Journal of Developmental Psychology. The study investigated the relationship of maternal use of drugs, alcohol and/or cigarettes during pregnancy on the IQ of her child at the age of four years. Newsweek and Scientific News also print articles later that year reporting the effects of maternal use of alcohol and drugs on the infant. They also looked at the effects of cigarette smoke on the fetus. Although the articles dealt with the same topic using information reported in the original study they differed in how they presented that information to their readers. All three publications varied use of methodology, use of scientific findings, and the presentation of the conclusion to meet the informational needs of their audiences.

"IQ at Age 4 in Relationship Maternal Alcohol Use and Smoking during pregnancy" was written by the group of researchers that group participated in a study lead by Ann Streissguth. This the original article is the actual research paper which was presented by the group. The paper tells how an ori

Jones - Witters p., Witters, W., (1983) DRUGS & SOCIETY a iological perspective, ( 208-210 ). California, Wadsworth Health Sciences.

The Science News article reaches a broader group of professionals in related fields of science. "Drinking While Pregnant Risks Child's IQ" was written by B. Bower. The author reports on the same study described in the first article. This article was short and simple. It was written to inform it's readers that the study existed and brief them on its findings. Bower includes enough data to discuss the validity of the study but relies more on a verbal explanation of the outcome to convey the message. Using an informative approach Bower did not draw any conclusion, but merely related the findings of the study. However by including the studies source of original publication Bower allows the inquisitive reader to seek more information if they want.

Bower, B. (1989,). Drinking While Pregnant Risks Child's IQ Science News, 135, 68.

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Approximate Word count = 1112
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)