ASSIGNMENT - REFERNCE SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
As part of the academic rigor in this course, you will be expected to write a 12-17 page paper (page count not including cover page, references, etc). It will be the culmination of the term giving you an opportunity to engage sociology as a tool to explore a topic & specific research question relevant to you, and at least 15 sources (12 of which must be peer-reviewed research articles).
The purpose of the paper is for you to be able to explore a topic of interest to you from a sociological perspective. To do so, you must accomplish the following:
* Clearly state your thesis/research question and how it is significant to the study of society
* Select a minimum of 12 peer reviewed articles and 3 other sources which will permit you to explore and evaluate sociological research and perspectives on your thesis/question -
- discussion of each article should include noting how the article addresses/answers your research question; the article's main research question/thesis; primary theoretical perspective used; sample size and composition; methodology and analysis used; brief summary of findings
- the best discussion will be formatted by themes comparing and contrasting articles (i.e. phrasing of question, methodology used, measurement of variables, size and composition of sample, findings, etc.)
* Be sure key concepts in your paper are defined (conceptual and operational definitions) and cited using sources such as past sociology texts and peer-reviewed articles
* Employ appropriate use of APA format in-text citations and references
Evaluation Criteria:
1. The paper begins with a clear thesis statement that is well articulated in the first or second paragraph
2. The paper draws appropriately 12 peer-reviewed articles and 3 other sources to support the thesis statement presented. This means that if you could have used findings from a paper listed to make your point more clearly and you do not do so, you will be penalized.
3. The paper is well structured and synthesizes the material appropriately. Rather than summarize each of the readings referenced, the paper identifies common themes or divergent findings that must be taken into account in making a logical argument in support of the thesis statement.
4. The concluding paragraph summarizes the focus of the paper and identifies the implications for the study of society.