imagine you are a researcher interested in investigating a topic related to the psychology of gender.

EDP 150 Thought Paper #2 (24 points)

What do you need to include in this paper? In your second thought paper, you should imagine you are a researcher interested in investigating a topic related to the psychology of gender. In a 4-page, double-spaced paper, please address the following questions:

1. What research question will you investigate? Why? 2. What method (e.g., experiment, quasi-experiment, correlation, naturalistic observation, case study,

interview, focus group) will you use to investigate your research question? Why? 3. What are two unique strengths of your chosen method? Please be sure to fully explain (i.e., multiple

sentences) why each strength should be considered a strength. Note: In order to earn credit for each strength, it must be very clear that they are each unique.

4. What are two unique weaknesses of your chosen method? Please be sure to fully explain (i.e., multiple sentences) why each weakness should be considered a weakness. Note: In order to earn credit for each weakness, it must be very clear that they are each unique.

How long should this paper be? This thought paper must be no longer than four, double-spaced pages. Quality of writing and coverage of the required questions stated above is most important. However, your paper (excluding title and header with name, date, etc.) should be at least 850 words, as it is extremely difficult to fully answer the questions above in less than 850 words. If your submission is shorter than 850 words, you will incur a 3-point penalty.

How should I format my paper? Format restrictions are as follows: (1) double-spaced; (2) Times New Roman font; (3) 12-point font; (4) 1” margins; (5) no longer than four pages; (6) Microsoft Word format (i.e., .doc, .docx); (7) minimum of 850 words beyond header and title; (8) multiple paragraphs. Please see the rubric for a breakdown of necessary components and possible points.

What are some tips to help improve my chance of earning an A on this paper? #1: Please proofread your paper! Although this is not a writing class, writing coherent papers with minimal grammatical and spelling errors is necessary for college success. Papers with numerous (~3 or more per page) spelling/grammar, or other formatting mistakes will incur penalties. You should reread and revise your assignment numerous times before submission. If it helps, have others proofread your paper. Also, please be sure to adhere to the formatting restrictions. #2: Please explicitly state major points! It is often most beneficial to explicitly state major points in your paper (e.g., “The research question that I will investigate is…”, or “I will use an interview because….”, or “One strength of this approach is…”. This ensures clarity for your reader. The less ambiguity present in your writing, the higher your final grade.

When is this paper due? Your thought paper is due no later than Monday, April 6th at 11:59 pm. Papers submitted between Tuesday, April 7th at 12 am and Thursday, April 9th at 11:59 pm will be accepted, but will incur a 15% late penalty (e.g., 90% becomes 75%). Please ensure you are uploading the correct assignment on D2L. If you submit the wrong assignment on D2L, your thought paper will be subject to a late penalty. Furthermore, please ensure you upload a complete file in Microsoft Word format (e.g., .doc, .docx). Incomplete files (e.g., partial papers, blank documents, etc.) or files in formats that prevent them from being open (i.e., corrupted files) will be subject to a late penalty. Always doublecheck your file before and after you upload it to D2L to ensure everything is as you expect.

EDP150

Thought Paper #2 Rubric (24 points)

Component 0 1 2 3

Is your research

question stated

and justified?

Absent

Author states a research question

unrelated to the psychology of

gender OR justification is

missing.

Author attempts to state a research

question related to the psychology of

gender, but either the research

question OR justification is

ambiguous.

Author explicitly states a research

question related to the psychology of

gender and justifies their interest in

investigating the question.

Is the method of

the proposed

research stated

and justified?

Absent

Author attempts to justify the

method of the proposed research,

but the method AND justification

is ambiguous AND/OR inaccurate

AND/OR infeasible.

Author attempts to justify the method

of the proposed research, but either the

method OR justification is ambiguous

AND/OR inaccurate.

Author clearly states the design of the

proposed research (e.g., experiment,

focus group, interview, correlational,

case study, survey, etc.) and

accurately justifies the method.

Is each of your

two unique

strengths of your

chosen method

stated and

justified? (x2)

Absent

Author attempts to identify a

strength associated with the

proposed method, but either of

the following is true: (1) the

strength associated with the

proposed method is missing; OR

(2) an explanation of the strength

is missing.

Author attempts to identify a strength

associated with the proposed method,

but one of the following is true: (1) the

strength associated with the proposed

method is invalid; OR (2) an

explanation of the strength is

ambiguous.

Author identifies a valid strength

associated with the proposed method

and thoroughly explains why it is a

strength (i.e., how this strength may

affect the data gathered using this

method).

Is each of your

two unique

weaknesses of

your chosen

method stated and

justified? (x2)

Absent

Author attempts to identify a

weakness associated with the

proposed method, but either of

the following are true: (1) the

weakness associated with the

proposed method is missing; OR

(2) an explanation of the

weakness is missing.

Author attempts to identify a weakness

associated with the proposed method,

but one of the following is true: (1) the

weakness associated with the proposed

method is invalid; OR (2) an

explanation of the weakness is

ambiguous.

Author identifies a valid weakness

associated with the proposed method

and thoroughly explains why it is a

weakness (i.e., how this weakness

may affect the data gathered using

this method).

Is there evidence

of effective

proofreading?

Unacceptable

writing (i.e., 9+

errors)

A great deal of errors in spelling

and grammar (i.e., 6 – 8 errors)

Moderate errors in spelling and

grammar (i.e., 3 – 5 errors)

Very rare errors in spelling and

grammar (i.e., average of 2 or less

errors)

Did the author

adhere to the

formatting

restrictions?

File not in Word

format (e.g., .doc,

.docx) AND/OR

paper is shorter

than 850 words

AND/OR violated

4+ formatting

guidelines

A great deal of formatting errors

(i.e., violated 3+ formatting

guidelines

Moderate formatting error(s) (i.e.,

violated 1 – 2 formatting guidelines)

No formatting errors present in

document: (1) double-spaced; (2)

Times New Roman font; (3) 12-point

font; (4) 1” margins; (5) At least 850

words; (6) no longer than two pages;

(7) multiple paragraph form; (8)

Microsoft Word format (i.e., .doc,

.docx).

Note: You will incur a 3-point penalty if your paper is shorter than 850 words in length (excluding title and header with name, date etc.) or you submit

a paper that is not in Microsoft Word format. Late papers submitted between Tuesday, April 7th at 12 am and Thursday, April 9th at 11:59 pm will be

accepted, but will incur a 15% late penalty (e.g., 90% becomes 75%). Late papers may be revised but cannot earn more than 80%.