5 Performance Assessment: Sociological Research and the Scientific Method

Explain why empirical research is used to study the social world. Compare and contrast “common sense” assumptions with scientifically tested knowledge about the social world.

Demonstrate the ways in which empirical research is used to study the social world by constructing a mock research proposal or plan. Select and justify the use of specific methodologies based on your topic or question. Construct appropriate (i.e., empirical) sociological questions as if you were researching a research proposal.

Identify and describe different types of research and research methods available for use, discussing the benefits and limitations of each. Explain why you would choose the method you end up with. Evaluate your proposed research in terms of validity, reliability, and ethical considerations.

Your response should exceed 500 words and should provide at least one example.

Basic Requirements (assignment criteria):

  • Assignment has been proofread and does not contain any major spelling or grammatical errors.
  • A minimum of 500 words in length, double spaced, 1 inch margins.
  • Resources are cited in APA format in a reference list and using parenthetical citations (if you need help with this, review course resources).
  • Relevant terms and concepts are used and defined.

Criteria
Ratings
Pts

Explain why empirical research is used to study the social world. Compare and contrast “common sense” assumptions with scientifically tested knowledge about the social world.
Effectively explained why empirical research is used to study the social world. Compared and contrasted “common sense” assumptions with scientifically tested knowledge about the social world, and/or provided at least one example.

10.0 pts
Generally explained why empirical research is used to study the social world AND/OR compared and contrasted “common sense” assumptions with scientifically tested knowledge about the social world, AND/OR provided at least one example.

9.0 pts
Generally explained why empirical research is used to study the social world OR compared and contrasted “common sense” assumptions with scientifically tested knowledge about the social world, OR provided at least one example.

8.0 pts
Did not sufficiently explained why empirical research is used to study the social world, NOR compared and contrasted “common sense” assumptions with scientifically tested knowledge about the social world, NOR provided at least one example.

0.0 pts
10.0 pts
Demonstrate the ways in which empirical research is used to study the social world by constructing a mock research proposal or plan. Select and justify the use of specific methodologies based on your topic or question. Construct appropriate (i.e., empirical) sociological questions as if you were researching a research proposal.
Fully demonstrated the ways in which empirical research is used to study the social world by constructing a mock research proposal or plan AND selected and fully justified the use of specific methodologies based on your topic or question AND effectively constructed appropriate (i.e., empirical) sociological questions as if you were researching a research proposal.

10.0 pts
Fully demonstrated the ways in which empirical research is used to study the social world by constructing a mock research proposal or plan AND/OR selected and fully justified the use of specific methodologies based on your topic or question AND/OR effectively constructed appropriate (i.e., empirical) sociological questions as if you were researching a research proposal.

9.0 pts
Fully demonstrated the ways in which empirical research is used to study the social world by constructing a mock research proposal or plan OR selected and fully justified the use of specific methodologies based on your topic or question OR effectively constructed appropriate (i.e., empirical) sociological questions as if you were researching a research proposal.

8.0 pts
Did not fully demonstrate the ways in which empirical research is used to study the social world by constructing a mock research proposal or plan OR did not select and fully justify the use of specific methodologies based on your topic or question OR effectively constructed appropriate (i.e., empirical) sociological questions as if you were researching a research proposal.

0.0 pts
10.0 pts
Identify and describe different types of research and research methods available for use, discussing the benefits and limitations of each. Explain why you would choose the method you end up with. Evaluate your proposed research in terms of validity, reliability, and ethical considerations.
Effectively Identified and described different types of research and research methods available for use, discussing the benefits and limitations of each. Fully explained why you would choose the method you ended up with and clearly evaluated your proposed research in terms of validity, reliability, and ethical considerations.

10.0 pts
Effectively Identified and described different types of research and research methods available for use, discussing the benefits and limitations of each AND/OR fully explained why you would choose the method you ended up with AND/OR clearly evaluated your proposed research in terms of validity, reliability, and ethical considerations.

9.0 pts
Effectively Identified and described different types of research and research methods available for use, discussing the benefits and limitations of each OR fully explained why you would choose the method you ended up with OR clearly evaluated your proposed research in terms of validity, reliability, and ethical considerations.

8.0 pts
Did not effectively identify and described different types of research and research methods available for use, discussing the benefits and limitations of each OR fully explained why you would choose the method you ended up with OR clearly evaluate your proposed research in terms of validity, reliability, and ethical considerations.

0.0 pts
10.0 pts
Total Points: 30.0

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