The major assignment for this course is research on one of the topics listed below. This assignment requires students to initiate the research by formulating research
questions based on one of the readings and locate additional material that answers the research questions. The first part of this assignment is to develop appropriate
research questions. The fully developed research project will include the material contained in this assignment.
Topics for research and associated readings:
1. Herbert Kohl, The Story of Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott Revisited. (Week 4)
2. A. Milan, Taking charge: Perceptions of control over life chances. (Week 5)
3. Z. Gussow & G.S. Tracy, Status, Ideology and Adaptation to Stigmatized Illness (Week 8)
What to do:
1. Choose one of the articles listed above, read it thoroughly and write a synopsis of it (one to two pages, suggested).
2. Based on the reading you have chosen create three research questions. Pay attention particularly to the following examples of clarity, focus and complexity.
Sample Research QuestionsUnclear: Why are social networking sites harmful?Clear: How are online users experiencing or addressing privacy issues on such social networking sites as MySpace and Facebook?
The unclear version of this question does not specify which social networking sites or suggest what kind of harm the sites are causing, assuming this “harm” is proven
and/or accepted. The clearer version specifies sites (MySpace and Facebook), the type of harm (privacy issues), and who the issue is harming (users). A strong research
question should never leave room for ambiguity or interpretation. The discussion of the issues raised by the research question may indeed indicate some ambiguity and
possible interpretations.
Unfocused: What is the effect on the environment from global warming?Focused: How is glacial melting affecting penguins in Antartica? The unfocused research question is so broad that it could not be adequately answered in a book-length piece, let alone a university-level paper. The focused version
narrows down to a specific cause (glacial melting), a specific place and a specific group that is affected (penguins). When in doubt, make a research question as
narrow and focused as possible.Unfocused: Are females smarter than males?This question delineates the variables to be measured: sex and intelligence. Yet, it is unclear how they will be evaluated: What method will be used to define and
measure intelligence?Focused: A more focused question would properly identify the subjects in their social categories, i.e. as genders. Thus, do women, aged18-35, score higher than men in
the same age bracket on a specific standardized test. This research question produces data that can be replicated. From there, the author can devise a question that
might address the difference.
Too simple: How are doctors addressing diabetes in Canada?Appropriately Complex:  What are common traits of those suffering from diabetes in Canada, and how can these commonalities be used to aid the medical community in
prevention of the disease?The simple version of this question can be looked up online and answered in a few factual sentences; it leaves no room for analysis. The more complex version is
written in two parts; it is thought provoking and requires both significant investigation and evaluation. As a general rule, if a quick Google search can answer a
research question, it is likely not very effective.
Retrieved and revised from the George Mason University Writing Centrehttp://writingcenter.gmu.edu/resources-template.php?id=59
3. Evaluation: a) submissions with unclear, unfocused, etc. research questions will be returned with the expectation that the questions will be revised and re-submitted at the next
class meeting;
b) outlines that do not clearly demonstrate an appropriate pathway to a final submission will be returned with the expectation that it will be revised and re-submitted
at the next class meeting.
4. Additional requirements:a) only hard-copy submissions are accepted;
b) pages must be numbered, double-spaced, 12 pt. font, one inch margins all-around, no title page is necessary; simply put the relevant course information on page one.Comments from Support Team: