Before beginning work on this week’s discussion post, review the following resources:
From the below list, select one topic for which you will lead the discussion in the forum this week. Early in the week, reserve your selected topic by posting your response (reservation post) to the Discussion Area, identifying your topic in the subject line. By the due date assigned, research your topic and start a scholarly conversation as you respond with your initial or primary post to your own reservation post in the Discussion Area. Make sure your response does not duplicate your colleagues’ responses.
- Examine the steps in the Week 4 research project flowchart in the lecture. Synthesize the key outcomes of each step. Critique the possible drawbacks of each step. Assess drawbacks for relevance to your research.
- Synthesize the key requirements for internal validity of a research project. Assess potential hindrances to internal validity and assess measures to overcome the hindrances. Justify how the selected measures might overcome the hindrances.
- Synthesize key elements of a research design. Synthesize the major types of research designs. Justify which types of designs are most appropriate for social science research.
- Summarize the major steps in the analysis phase of a research project. Assess the hindrances to a proper analysis.
Synthesize key concepts in a way that articulates a clear point, position, and conclusion supported by research. Select a different bullet point than what your classmates have already posted so that we can engage several discussions on relevant topics. If all of the bullet points have been addressed, then you may begin to reuse the bullet points with the expectation that varied responses continue.
The final paragraph (three or four sentences) of your initial post should summarize the one or two key points that you are making in your initial response.
As the beginning of a scholarly conversation, your initial post should be:
- Succinct—no more than 500 words.
- Provocative—use concepts and combinations of concepts from the readings to propose relationships, causes, and/or consequences that inspire others to engage (inquire, learn). In other words, take a scholarly stand.
- Supported—scholarly conversations are more than opinions. Ideas, statements, and conclusions are supported by clear research and citations from course materials as well as other credible, peer-reviewed resources.
Engage in a discussion with at least two colleagues and respond to questions from your professor by the end of the week.
For grading:
- The reservation post and initial post are assessed in the rubric line item “Quality of initial posting.”
- Neither the reservation post nor the initial post count toward days of participation.
- Follow-up posts made throughout the week to your colleagues and professor will apply to participation points in the rubric.
- All posts will be assessed for writing mechanics and information literacy. Be sure to review the expanded rubric for more details on grading criteria.
