Evaluating the effectiveness of green roofs: A case study for literature research and critical thinking

Abstract

Green roofs are installed on buildings to ameliorate urban environmental problems including the heat island effect, water runoff, air pollution, and biodiversity loss. While the popularity of green roofs has increased in recent years, questions have been raised about their efficacy for addressing these issues. Insights into contentious issues, such as the efficacy of green roofs, can be gained through exercises on evaluating evidence from published research. The goal of the activity is to foster development of science literacy skills by comparing claims made in the popular media with information from primary research articles. In this activity, students search the primary scientific literature, evaluate the quality of the research that was performed, and synthesize evidence to support or refute claims about the environmental costs and benefits of green roofs. After completing this activity, students should be able to (1) locate the source of data for scientific information presented in the media, (2) judge the quality of these data for making claims, (3) evaluate relationships between environmental problems and proposed solutions, and (4) synthesize information from diverse disciplines.