wendy lewis

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ASSIGNMENT 3

USING A SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH Due Week 10: 200 points

By now, you have practiced and should understand the sociological research process. You also have a good handle on how the major sociological theories explain social issues. Now, it’s your turn to apply this knowledge. For your final assignment, you’ll review a research article to identify the research conclusion. Then, you’ll take another look at that conclusion from the perspective of one of the major sociological theories.

Instructions: Complete all three parts of the assignment by following the instructions below.

PART A: WHAT DID THE RESEARCHERS LEARN? 1) Article Review:

a) Prepare to complete your assignment by reviewing the articles below. Select one for the focus of your assignment.

• Money, Not Access, Key to Resident Food Choices in ‘Food Deserts’ https://news.ncsu.edu/2017/03/money- food-deserts-2017/

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• “The narrowing, but persistent, gender gap in pay” http://www.pewresearch.org/fact- tank/2017/04/03/gender-pay-gap-facts/

• “Bridging a Digital Divide That Leaves Schoolchildren Behind” https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/23/ technology/fcc-internet-access-school.html

b) Review your selected article several times to familiarize yourself with the content before going to the next step of this assignment.

2) Learn: Use the research information in the article to answer the questions below. You should write at least one paragraph for this step. Refer to Chapter 2 of your webtext as necessary.

a) What were the key findings of the research?

b) What conclusion was drawn from the research?

PART B: WHAT WOULD THE THEORIES SAY? Remember: The four major sociological theories are Functional- ism, Conflict Theory, Symbolic Interactionism, and Rational Choice Theory. For more information, review Sections 1.8 - 1.12 in your webtext.

Use one of the four major sociological theories to explain the key findings in the research article you reviewed in Part A. You should write two paragraphs, one for each question.

a) How would this theory explain the key findings or conclusion of the research in the article?

b) What limitations does this theory demonstrate in addressing the problem examined in the research article?

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PART C: WHAT DO YOU THINK? Use your article to help answer the questions below. You should write two paragraphs, one for each question.

a) What would you suggest to address this problem?

b) What additional research would you conduct to help address the problem examined in the research article?

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RUBRIC Grading for this assignment will be based on the following rubric:

POINTS: 200 ASSIGNMENT 3: USING A SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH

Criteria Unacceptable

Below 60% - F

Meets Minimum Expectations

60-69% - D

Fair

70-79% - C

Proficient

80-89% - B

Exemplary

90-100% - A

1. Describe the key findings of the researchers and the conclu- sion drawn from the research.

Weight: 20%

Does not de- scribe the key findings and/or conclusion and does not pro- vide supporting details.

Inaccurately describes key findings or con- clusion and sup- porting details are sparse.

Partially de- scribes key findings and con- clusion but some of the supporting details are miss- ing.

Accurately describes key findings and conclusion and includes support- ing details.

Accurately describes key findings and conclusion and includes sup- porting details. Demonstrates strong under- standing by using sociology terms and providing logical, accurate, and concise infor- mation.

2. Use a major sociological the- ory to explain the key findings or conclusion, and address any limitations of the theory.

Weight: 40%

Does not use a major sociolog- ical theory to explain the key findings or con- clusion and does not address the- ory limitations.

Inaccurately uses a major sociological theory to explain the key findings or conclusion, or inaccurately addresses theory limitations and supporting de- tails are sparse.

Partially uses a major socio- logical theory to explain the key findings or conclusion, or partially address- es theory limita- tions, but some of the supporting details are miss- ing.

Accurately uses a major socio- logical theory to explain the key findings or conclusion, and addresses theory limitations with supporting details.

Accurately uses a major socio- logical theory to explain the key findings or conclusion, and addresses theory limitations with supporting details. Demon- strates strong understanding by using sociology terms and provid- ing logical, accu- rate, and concise information.

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POINTS: 200 ASSIGNMENT 3: USING A SOCIOLOGICAL APPROACH

Criteria Unacceptable

Below 60% - F

Meets Minimum Expectations

60-69% - D

Fair

70-79% - C

Proficient

80-89% - B

Exemplary

90-100% - A

3. Propose a solution and additional re- search ideas.

Weight: 30%

Does not pro- pose a solution or does not pro- vide additional research ideas.

Proposes a solu- tion that isn’t fully aligned with the key findings of the research, or the support- ing details for the additional research ideas are sparse.

Proposes a solution that isn’t fully aligned with the key findings of the research, or the additional research ideas are missing details.

Proposes a solution that is aligned with the key findings of the research, and provides addi- tional research ideas that in- clude supporting details.

Proposes a solution that is aligned with the key findings of the research, and provides addi- tional research ideas that in- clude supporting details. Demon- strates strong understanding by using sociolo- gy terms.

4. Write in a skillful manner using proper formatting, grammar, and spelling.

Weight: 10%

Writing does not meet minimal standards. Tone is not appro- priate. Wholly lacking in logic, clarity, and/ or consistent formatting. Contains many spelling and/ or grammatical errors.

Writing meets minimal stan- dards. Tone is not appropriate. Lacking one or more of logic, clarity, and/ or consistent formatting. May contain many spelling and/ or grammatical errors.

Writing is satis- factory. Appro- priate and/or consistent tone is developing. Shows moder- ate logic, clarity, and/or consis- tent formatting. May contain more than a few spelling and/ or grammatical errors.

Writing is profi- cient. Tone is ap- propriate. Shows logic, clarity, and consistent formatting. May contain few or no spelling and/ or grammatical errors.

Writing is ex- cellent. Tone is appropriate and demonstrates excellent word choice. Shows exceptional logic, clarity, and consistent formatting. Con- tains no spelling or grammatical errors.