Guidelines and Rubric for Final Paper
Research Methods
The primary point of sociology is to augment the findings of others, which is also the point of your final paper. Your final paper is a way for you to demonstrate how the ideas from the course have launched you on a research agenda. Review the ideas we’ve covered, and elaborate on them with your own research.
Be sure to follow the writing guidelines presented in the syllabus. Final Papers will not be graded unless they are submitted under the appropriate tab on Blackboard, to be assessed by Turnitin. Papers that do not meet the originality standards on Turnitin will not be graded and will not receive credit. Suggested page lengths are provided.
Section Content
I. Introduction (one paragraph to a page, 10%)
Include a hook and a thesis. In the hook, you engage your reader in the first line with a key insight or observation. Please do not write a rhetorical question, along the lines of, “Have you
ever thought…” or “What would you think if…” Do begin
your thesis with the words, “This paper will…”
II. Literature Review (3-5 pp., 40%)
Summarize and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the
research you found in three articles on your topic, one article at a time.
III. Research Design (3-5 pp., 40%)
Provide a plan for what you believe is the best way to study
your topic, based on the articles you found.
V. Conclude (one paragraph to a page, 10%)
How might you gather further data in order on this topic? What recommendations might you provide for future research? What unanswered questions do you have?
Grading Rubric
Grading Rubric by Section
I. Introduction (one paragraph to one page):
Points Possible: 10
5: A clear, concise, well-worded introduction, clearly stating why this topic is important to study and providing a thesis statement telling what this paper is about.
4: Some parts of the introduction may be muddled or unclear, but the basic parts of the introduction are there.
3: Problems with writing begin to interfere with the reader’s ability to understand what the paper is about. Some elements may be missing.
2: Many elements of a standard introduction are missing or unclear, providing the reader with little sense of what the paper will be about.
1: Some attempt at an introduction is made, but it does not provide a sense of what the paper is about.
0: No introduction provided.
II. Literature Review (3-5 pages)
Points Possible: 40
36-40: Excellent summaries of three sources and the strengths and weaknesses of their research are provided. The reader is confident in this writer’s ability to summarize research articles and discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
32-35: Gaps in writing and argument leave the research summaries of three articles and discussion of strengths and weaknesses unclear at points.
28-31: Consistent problems in writing, evidence of lack of understanding the three chosen articles, and problems in understanding research methods are conveyed.
24-27: The student attempts to summarize from one to three sources, but the writing is rough and haphazard. Discussions of strengths and weaknesses of research lack sense.
23 and below: The student demonstrates a weak understanding of how to summarize sources or discuss their strengths and weaknesses.
II. Research Design (3-5 pages)
Points Possible: 40
36-40: The student provides a rigorous understanding of the best methods to study her chosen topic, including sampling, reliability and validity, possible sources of bias, and ethical and political dimensions. If a survey will be used, it is provided. If participant observation is proposed, this method will be justified and a clear plan will be provided for access, entrée, gaining rapport, and data analysis. If a nonobtrusive method is chosen, a clear plan is provided.
32-35: A full research plan is provided, but it is unclear in some parts, and the writing could be clarified.
28-31: The research design suffers from significant gaps in clarity and knowledge of research methods.
24-27: The student provides a semblance of a research design, but it appears rough and haphazard.
23 and below: The student demonstrates a weak understanding of how to design research.
V. Conclusion (one paragraph to one page)
Points Possible: 10
9-10: The conclusion is clear and sensical.
8: Some aspects of the conclusion are unclear or poorly written.
7: The conclusion suffers from significant problems in logic and writing.
6: The conclusion does not make sense.
0: No conclusion is provided.