Describe and illustrate each step in the research cycle, both for laboratory and field research; and discriminate among the choices that must be made at each stage.

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– “Core Assessment: Research Proposal” Learning Outcomes 1. Describe and illustrate each step in the research cycle, both for laboratory and field research; and discriminate among the choices that must be made at each stage. 2. Apply the principles of the scientific method to social science research. 3. Operationalize a theoretical question or practical concern as a testable hypothesis. 4. Critically analyze and evaluate a research literature and then to build new research upon the foundation it provides. 5. Apply the fundamental aspects of measurement and construct variables based on those principles. 6. Identify and differentiate basic research designs and determine which is appropriate for a given research problem. 7. Identify the principles of probabilistic, nonprobabilistic, and multistage samples, and determine which is appropriate for a research problem. 8. Explain and justify the use of quantitative, qualitative and multimethod data gathering techniques. 9. Apply the principles of ethical research.

Explain how and why your chosen subfields are similar along these dimensions.

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Chapter 1 of your textbook provides an overview of the major subfields and concepts within the Social Sciences: anthropology, political science, economics, psychology, sociology, and history. Your post will be two paragraphs in length. In the first paragraph, select two of these subfields and identify two similarities between them. In thinking about similarities between disciplines, consider two of the following dimensions: scope, subject, methodology, goals, the definition of power, and the relationship between power and authority. Additionally, explain how and why your chosen subfields are similar along these dimensions.
In the second paragraph, using the same two subfields, identify two differences along the same dimensions: scope, subject, methodology, goals, the definition of power, and the relationship between power and authority. Again, explain how and whyyour chosen subfields are different along these dimensions.

Examine the differences between descriptive and inferential statistics and their use in the social sciences.

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Final Portfolio Project (Due Week 8)

Overview

One of the most crucial components of this course is developing a research project from conceptualizing a research problem and develop a number of complementary design, measurement, and data collection approaches to bring evidence to bear on the problem. We are going to create a research study based on previous research you choose to use. We will then determine which variables we can use from the General Social Survey (GSS) which are representative of our interests and satisfy our research question and hypotheses. Not to worry, there are over 5,000 variables within this dataset to choose from.

This paper will enable us to complete the following objectives:
Describe and apply the concepts and logic of elementary statistics.
Conduct statistical analysis in SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences).
Compare and contrast different types of data and the statistics that can be used to analyze them
Examine the differences between descriptive and inferential statistics and their use in the social sciences.
Form critical interpretations of quantitative research literature in sociology and other social sciences.
Complete and interpret descriptive and inferential statistical data analysis
Critically evaluate the quality of research design and evidence in published social research.

Instructions
This paper and the accompanying presentation are a compilation of the assignments and activities that you will complete for your weekly Forum posts. Each week you will have an activity to complete. You will post your work and engage with your instructor and classmates throughout the week to determine the “perfect” version of your work. In other words, you are expected to revise anything prior to placing it you’re your ‘Final Portfolio Project’ file.
You will create a designated word file to act as a repository of assignments. Each week you will copy and paste your work for the discussion board (not including your responses to classmates) into this file and format-as-you-go to become a cohesive paper. You are encouraged to use subheaders for each section. Construct a paper that fully explores each of the following areas:
Each section should have information for context which provides your reader with the background necessary to understand what you are presenting. What I mean by this is that you will want to ‘present’ the topic of hypothesis testing while citing resources like Babbie (your textbook) and other resources located in the class. You may than present your outline of this testing as it relates to your variables. Without context, the reader may be lost. Your professor is looking to see whether you understand what you are writing about, not simply going through the motions.
The project will be presented to the Professor as a professionally written paper approximately 5-7 pages in length, not including the title page or references section. In addition, this project will be presented to the class as a multimedia presentation using either Power Point with narration, Screencast-o-matic, or Prezi.

* You will want to provide a brief introduction to the sections above in your final paper. For example, you may find that defining the concept or topic is a valid way for you to provide context for the reader. You will cite these definitions as you include them. This style of writing is expected and demonstrates your level of understanding and confidence using the material from class.
** Remember to revise as needed based on feedback you receive from your instructor and fellow classmates.

You will also include the following:
Citing your research, identify a conceptual framework which sets the stage for your research. Conceptual frameworks are particularly useful as organizing devices in empirical research. Likewise, conceptual frameworks are abstract representations, connected to the research project’s goal that direct the collection and analysis of data. You will want to provide a theory as well. Perhaps you want to use one that is in your literature.
Include a short overview (no more than 3-5 sentences) on your instrument- the General Social Survey. Provide the questions verbatim that were asked in the survey which became the variable which you chose to use. You will also need to include the answer choices for each of them. This portion can be a table if you choose.
Don’t forget to include proper APA-style citation and reference. However, you do not need to include an abstract or table of contents. You can find guidance in APA by clicking here to access the Purdue Online Writing Lab.

The paper should be typed, double-spaced, 1” margins, Arial or Times New Roman 11 pt font, and saved as .doc, or .docx in the format: lastname_SOCI332_FinalPort.doc

In the practical exercises you have now completed for this module, you have turned attention to uses of GIS not just for assessing current conditions but also for assessing future ‘what if?’ scenarios.

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Overview of remit
In the practical exercises you have now completed for this module, you have turned attention to uses of GIS not just for assessing current conditions but also for assessing future ‘what if?’ scenarios. Hopefully you have seen that planning for these sorts of scenarios can be useful for a number reasons e.g., identifying numbers of people potentially affected by a given type of change or event, to whether that change or event may impact evenly across all locations or social groups.
For this project assignment, you will not turn thought to consider other ways in which scenarios can be used. The assignment calls you to think about the in which planning for future changes and events may also be useful towards identifying and improving more effective use of GIS. We should not automatically assume that all requirements for effective use of GIS (covering, hardware, software, data, people and procedures) are automatically in place for dealing with any future situation. Rather, scenario planning can help in understanding areas of both opportunity and weakness, and where further development is required, in order to make most effective use of GIS in a given scenario context.
For the present project you are given a choice of scenarios consider You should select one of these scenarios to focus to and should your attention on, and should then research prepare a more extensive scenario for the assessment.
Learning outcomes for this assignment
By completing this assignment you should be able to gain greater appreciation of how forward scenarios can be used to develop plans for GIS projects connected to needs of different users and stakeholders.
In addition you should gain greater knowledge and understanding of the different ways in which GIS can be applied/deployed to real-world situations.
Deliverable
Your report on your chosen scenarios could be 2500 words excluding words in tables and figures, appendices and list of references.
For further information on how to submit this assignment, please also refer to the relevant section in the module guide.
Assessment criteria
The content and organization of the report will be assessed against the elements described in the section below headed ‘criteria for scenario development’.
In addition, your report will be assessed against the presentation standards detailed in the module guide. Please refer to the section of the guide which discusses the presentation standards expected for this assignment.
Choice on scenarios
A range of different scenarios is outlined below. You should choose one to focus you project assignment on.
For each scenario, you will see that only a brief initial description is provided.
It is up to you to develop your chosen scenario further. This will require you to elaborate the future situations associated with your chosen scenario in an appropriate, realistic way. (See also further below.)
Importantly, how develop your scenario should provide a basis for assessing the opportunities and requirements for using GIS effectively to address the future situations you include. You should also think about the actions, changes, resources etc. which should be put in place, in order for GIS to be used effectively given the scenarios under consideration.
The scenarios are as follows:
Scenario 1 – A new ‘Rapid Response’ funding scheme for social science researchers has been established, intended to enable a fast social research response to urgent or unforeseen events. Proposed research will focus solely on urgent data collection and essential initial analysis. Grants must last no more than 12 months with a maximum award of around £125.000. You are a ‘GIS-literate’ social science researcher, and you are preparing a funding application to submit to this scheme. Your proposal is to study the current EU ‘migration crisis in particular focussed on understanding the journeys and experiences of migrants to the EU from across the Mediterranean, and you think it is important to include use of GIS within the study. If choose the scenario, focus on the ways you would develop and use GIS. You should divide the year-long timeframe into quarters.

Criteria for scenario development
You should aim to develop your chosen scenario with reference to the following general points.
• You will see that each initial scenario description omits detailed specifics – e.g. the day, time year of the event under consideration. You are encouraged to fill in those gaps yourself in your writing, giving plausible answers to those sorts of questions.
• Each scenario is divided into a number of sequential time periods. For each time period you should outline in a few paragraphs the state of progress or impacts you would expect, considering the type of event, and other characteristics of the study area under consideration.

NB each scenario has different time periods associated with it – be sure that you work to the time periods specified for your chosen scenario.