Overview
This prompt is about to a new case. Over 90% of
pathology labs in the United States have, until very recently, used a racial correction factor when
assessing levels of a molecule called creatinine in human blood. Creatinine levels are one of the
biomarkers that indicate kidney functionality as it relates to filtering waste from the body. Data on
creatinine levels are an important input in the calculations determining a patient’s estimated
glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). The eGFR number is the key in diagnosing early-stage kidney
disease (and thus access to medications) and late-stage kidney disease (and thus access to kidney
transplants). Building on what you have learned in class, discuss the implications of this case. You
can for instance consider: the historical factors that led to the development of this racial correction
factor, the impacts of *removing* the creatinine racial correction factor from diagnostic practice, or
the study design of the studies that are used to justify the racial correction factors.
You may also discuss implications not listed here. We suggest that you choose one or two questions to
address, articulate your thesis fully and clearly, and consider that the depth of your answer is as
important as its breadth. This assignment will require you to do some online research. Please be careful
when choosing and citing your sources. Examples of sources to cite might include institutional
websites, academic articles, blogs, news media articles, recorded lectures by reputable scientists or
lawyers, and podcasts. Please use a consistent bibliographic format. Include both in-text citations and a
bibliography. In your bibliography, include author, title, date, and web location. You will need to cite
one course lecture or reading; citing more than one is ok.
Write a short essay of about 500 words (+/- 10%; excluding bibliography), double spaced, on one of the
following assignments. This essay should make an argument and be supported by evidence. You have two
questions to choose from. The first is more focused on research beyond the course materials and analyzing
your findings with the approaches learned in class. The second is more focused on the class material itself, with
optional additional examples outside of the course.
Please write in full sentences and structure your essay clearly. Include a title, an introduction, and a conclusion.
Don’t forget to put your name at the top of your essay. As a guideline, please use at least 3 sources. Please
remember, using any source without a citation is considered plagiarism. Please refer to the syllabus for clarity
on our standards of academic integrity. Please answer all parts of the prompt. This is an individual assessment,
so please refrain from discussing the exam with classmates before the submission deadline. For guidance on
how your response will be evaluated, refer to the rubric on the assignment page.
Q: For the first prompt, is there any restrictions on the time frame of our research?
A: No but if citing older research make sure that you also have a hold on the contemporary research that might be more nuanced. If your older article is out of date and things have changed then it could be risky to use, but if you are using it more historically (for example, this is how x was thinking about this 5 years ago) then that should be fine.
Q: Do we need a works cited, or are in-text citations sufficient?
A: If you cite from course material brief in-text citations are sufficient. For prompt 1 you should include full references (both in-text and bibliography). In-text citations can be given in footnotes or author/date in parenthesis, followed by full references in the bibliography. Please be consistent in the citation style you use.
Q: Is there a strict format for this essay? Times New Roman, double spaced, 12 font? Is there also a minimum number of readings, lectures, or outside sources we need if we decide to do the 1st prompt?
A: There is no strict format. We do ask, whatever format you choose make it consistent throughout. A minimum of 3 sources are required for both prompts. In the first prompt it is ok to, for example use, 2 outside sources and one in-course source. Use in class lectures and readings as needed. Just make sure you have a minimum of 3 total sources. You should be citing any idea that is not your own regardless if you choose to paraphrase or use direct quotes.
Q: How should we label lectures? Is it okay to do "Week 3, Lecture 2" or should we write the lecture titles? (just wondering bc word count!)
A: We ask that you choose a citation style and use consistently throughout. The formatting will depend on which citation style you choose. W3L2 would be an acceptable stand in for what was quoted above.
Q: I was wondering what was meant in the first prompt by "We suggest that you choose one or two questions
to address"?
A: It just means that you don't need to address all (or any) of the examples we mentioned. We put that sentence in to make sure students understand that the examples we gave are just to be helpful and not to overwhelm students if they were to (incorrectly) think that we wanted them to answer everything in such a short space. you don't need to explicitly mention which one of the examples you are writing about (if any) but you should have a clear thesis.
Q: Can we use readings from throughout the entire quarter or is it more encouraged to use readings from after the midterm?
A: You can use readings from throughout the entire quarter. :)
Q: Are we allowed to seek help from the UWC?
A: The UWC is an excellent resource for term papers but is unfortunately not appropriate for exams. Thank you for asking!
Q: Regarding the first prompt, when it states " the study design of the studies that are used to justify the racial correction factors", does that only apply to the creatine levels studies? or can it be other studies as well such as the spirometer studies.
A: Your answer should focus on the creatinine (different from creatine btw) but can absolutely be supported by examples from the lectures and readings on related topics.
Q: I was wondering if we would be allowed to use readings assigned in other classes as sources? Specifically for prompt #1, there are quite a few readings from SocGen105B that would work as great evidence. Would this be okay if we checked with the other professor as well, or should we try to steer clear of using those and find different sources instead?
A: That is absolutely ok as long as you are satisfying all of the requirements of the prompt. (citing from 105b will not count towards the requirement on that prompt to cite one 105a course reading or lecture). You don't need to contact your other professor (and shouldn't contact others about the exam in general).
SOURCES:
https://www.bostonreview.net/articles/amy-moran-th...
https://data-feminism.mitpress.mit.edu/pub/5evfe9y...