Sociology Homework
Purpose: The purpose of this Homework is to familiarize you with the way sociologists conduct research and communicate their findings to the public. By completing this Homework, you will learn how research is conducted and presented in sociological journals. You will also learn how to critique a journal article.
Directions: Using the College's online databases, locate a peer-reviewed article that is based on a sociological concept or topic of interest to you.
1) Identify your sociological concept or topic of interest
a) Using the College's online databases find a peer-reviewed article in sociological journals that is based on a sociological concept or topic of interest to you
b) Read your article and identify the major components of the study (i.e., the Abstract, Introduction, Methodology, Results, and Discussion)
2) Write-Up
a) Identify the major components of the article and briefly describe each component of the research study
b) Write a critique of the article by discussing how the article relates to your sociological concept or topic of interest and what you have learned as a result of reading this research study.
c) Submit your 1st draft to your peer reviewer (find a peer in this class or someone of your choice)
d) Submit your final paper to your instructor
3) Template for Your Critique Homework
a) Page 1. A title page with your name, course, instructor's name, and title of the article you are critiquing.
b) Page 2. Title of article
Write a summary in narrative form about your article, using the questions below as a guide. In other words, do not respond to these questions in a question/answer format.
The following questions will guide you in reading, understanding and writing this section of the Homework.
i. What are the variables or issues of interest in the study?
ii. What is the study's hypothesis?
iii. Who specifically were the participants in the study and how were they selected?
iv. What research method was used in the study--experimentation or correlation?
v. What did the researcher have the participants do? Explain in some detail.
vi. What were the major findings of the research study?
vii. Why are these findings relevant to sociology?
c) Page 3. The critique should be approximately two paragraphs and answer the following questions in narrative format:
i. What is the contribution of this research study to the field of sociology?
ii. In your opinion, do the research findings support the hypotheses or the research question? Explain.
iii. How does this research impact you and the general public?
Format your homework according to the following formatting requirements:
o The answer should be typed, using Times New Roman font (size 12), double spaced, with one-inch margins on all sides.
o The response also includes a cover page containing the title of the homework, the student's name, the course title, and the date. The cover page is not included in the required page length.
o Also include a reference page. The Citations and references must follow APA format. The reference page is not included in the required page length.