TOPIC: How does Race, Income and Social Status affect one's confidence in the U.S. education system?
Final research reports conforming to the style of the American Sociological Association must be written individually and submitted on an ePortfolio. The project is to be completed in stages throughout the semester and requires use and integration of what you have learned in the sociology program.
A number of data sources are available on the course site along with Quick Guides for their use. These include:
• GSS and the SDA: http://sda.berkeley.edu/archive.htm (see Quick Guide)
Required Sections
o Abstract
o Introduction (Literature Review)
o Research hypothesis
o Research Methods
- Description of data source
- Independent and dependent variables
- Tables and Graphs
- Text explaining the results
o Summary and Conclusions
o References in ASA Format
Research Hypothesis:
Develop and frame meaningful research questions and hypotheses.
Annotated Bibliographies:
As part of the assignment for Week #6, each student will begin an annotated bibliography. The goal is to develop knowledge of prior research on this topic. While the first assignment requires different types of sources (a general, secondary, and primary source), as we move forward, most of the articles should be journal articles. Each student will need to fashion the bibliographic material into a literature review that provides a context for the research.
Draft Introduction (Literature Review) and References:
Write a well-developed literature review that places the research in the context of current theories and earlier research. The literature review must cite all sources using ASA format. Read the ASA Style Guide, the material in Writing Matters, the rubric for the Final Project and the material on the course site pertaining to literature reviews. Students who expect to earn an "A" in the course should plan on developing a literature review using a minimum of 10sources. These sources may include sources from the general class discussions and/or from your research methods courses. The literature review needs to incorporate mostly journal articles reporting prior research on the topic. You should develop the literature review and the throughout the semester.
Select Data Sources:
You must select a data source that allows you to evaluate - confirm or reject - your research hypothesis. A number of data sources are available on the course site along with Quick Guides for their use. These include:
• GSS and the SDA: http://sda.berkeley.edu/archive.htm (see Quick Guide)
Data Analysis with Tables and Graphs:
You must execute a data analysis using one of the data sources and tools provided or another approved site. Under special circumstances (with advance permission) students with IRB approval may use their own data. The data analysis must examine the relationships between at least three variables. The analysis must be presented in tabular form accompanied by graphic representations.
Write-Up, Summary and Conclusions:
A brief summary and conclusions section should draw together the work on the project, discussing the findings, the weaknesses and strengths of the research, as well as possible future directions.
Write a well-developed literature review that places the research in the context of current theories and earlier research. The literature review must cite all sources using ASA format.
Who expect to earn an "A" in the course should plan on developing a literature review using a minimum of 10 sources. These sources may include sources from the general class discussions and/or from your research methods courses. The literature review needs to incorporate mostly journal articles reporting prior research on the topic.
Develop the literature review and the throughout the semester.
TEMPLATE
• Abstract
• Introduction (Literature Review)
• Research Hypothesis
• Research Methods
- Description of data source
- Independent and dependent variables
- Tables and Graphs
- Text explaining the results
• Summary and Conclusions
• References in ASA Format.