Paranormal Essay - Sociology

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Option 1: Paranormal

INTRODUCTION

The introduction section of the empirical report will be written. The introduction section of the

paper will be worth up to 10 points. The introduction for this project focuses on the sociological

perspective on the topic rather than previous research on the topic. So, no outside research is

necessary for this assignment. In the Introduction, the student should address how sociologists

from at least one theoretical perspective would explain (1) why some people watch

supernaturally themed television shows and (2) why some people believe they have experienced

paranormal phenomena. To earn higher than average scores all three theoretical perspectives

will be included. Then, the student will explain how the theoretical perspective(s) explanations

would lead to the following hypothesis, “People who have recently watched a supernatural

themed television show are more likely to report experiencing the paranormal than those who

have not recently watched a supernatural themed television show.” The following grading scale

will be used:

 All three theoretical perspectives explanations and how they lead to the hypothesis are present and demonstrate exceptional understanding = 9-10 points

 All three theoretical perspectives explanations and how they lead to the hypothesis are present but with a few minor errors demonstrating above average understanding or

o two of the theoretical perspectives explanations and how they lead to the hypothesis are present and demonstrate exceptional understanding = 8 points

 All three theoretical perspectives explanations and how they lead to the hypothesis are present but with a number of minor errors demonstrating average understanding or

o two of the theoretical perspectives explanations and how they lead to the hypothesis are present but with minor errors demonstrating above average

understanding or

o one of the theoretical perspectives explanations and how they lead to the hypothesis is present and demonstrate exceptional understanding = 7 points

 Any variation of above demonstrating below average understanding = 6 points

 Explanations missing demonstrating below average understanding = 0-5 points This will be the end of the Introduction Section.

METHOD

The method section will be written next and will be worth up to 10 points. The method section

will include the following:

1) An explanation of the independent variable & its attributes worth 2 points 2) An explanation of the dependent variable & its attributes worth 2 points 3) A description of how the independent variable was operationally defined worth up to 2

points.

4) A description of how the dependent variable was operationally defined worth up to 2 points.

5) An explanation of the research method utilized and a specific description of how the data were collected worth up to 2 points.

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Please note: While the instructions are written in a list format, the Method section is to be

written in paper form with paragraphs. This will be the end of the Method Section

RESULTS

Next, the results section should be written and will be worth up to 10 points. This section will

include a table which reports the average (all three) paranormal activity rating experience by

television watching type. The table will be worth up to two (2) points. After the table, a

description of whether or not each average supports the hypothesis will be discussed. Each

average will be worth up one (1) point, for a total of three (3) points. Then, an explanation of

whether or not the averages overall support the hypothesis will be included for one (1) point.

Next, the following correlation coefficient between watching supernatural themed television

shows and reports of paranormal activity experience will be placed in the section: (.38**). The

coefficient will be interpreted concluding with an explanation of whether or not the coefficient

supports the hypothesis. The interpretation of the correlation coefficient will include the

statistical significance (1 point), direction (1 point), and strength (1 point). The explanation of

whether or not the correlation coefficient supports the hypothesis will be worth one (1) point.

This will be the end of the Results Section.

DISCUSSION

The discussion section will then be written and will be worth up to 10 points. This section will

include the following:

1) An explanation of the results based on the average and based on the correlation coefficient for up to 3 points using the following scale:

Nice explanation = 3 points

Either statistic missing or inaccurate = 2 points

Both statistics missing or inaccurate = 1 point

2) An explanation of the implication of this research on our knowledge of belief in paranormal experiences in general for up to 4 points using the following scale.

Exceptional explanation = 4 points

Nice explanation = 3 points

Adequate explanation = 2 points

Minimal explanation = 1 point

The implication of the research is a description of what this study contributes to our

understanding of paranormal experiences in general. The implication is not a re-

explanation of the results. It answers the following question; what do we now know

about paranormal experiences that we didn’t before this study?

3) An explanation of the limitations of the study for up to 3 points using the following scale:

Nice explanation = 3 points

Adequate explanation = 2 points

Minimal explanation = 1 point.

Please Note: As with the Method Section, this section is to be written in paper form, not in list

form. This will be the end of the Discussion Section.

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ABSTRACT

The last content section to be written will be the abstract, though this is placed in the paper

before the Introduction Section. This section will be worth up to 10 points. One (1) point will

be based on meeting the sentence expectation in that this section will be a maximum of a five

(5) sentence paragraph. If the section is more than five sentences and/or is placed in the wrong

place, one (1) point will be deducted. The section will include the hypothesis for three (3 points)

with all three (3) points deducted if not present. In addition, the section will include a

description of the method used for up to three (3) points using the following scale:

Accurate = 3 points

Method there but inaccurate = 2 points

No method identified, but it is described = 1 point

The abstract will also include a description of the results found for up to three (3) points using

the following scale:

Accurate = 3 points

Partially accurate = 2 points

Inaccurate but present = 1 point.

This will be the end of the Abstract

REFERENCES

This section will include any outside sources used (though none are necessary for this

assignment) and the textbook/lecture if direct quotes are utilized in the paper. Failure to include

either will result in six (6) points being deducted from the student’s Student Role Performance

Expectations Grade. This deduction will be based on the student not meeting proofreading

guidelines for the paper.