FUEP 304 – Urban and Environmental Research Methods
Final Paper Assignment
Over the course of this semester, you have learned a variety of social science research methods, how these methods apply to urban and environmental research, and related concepts.
For your final paper:
Option 1- Analysis of a Seminal Text
Conduct a methodological critique of an existing piece of research
* Pick a topic that interests you
* This should be a seminal text, i.e. a major work, in the field of your interest and ideally in a book format. There is no publication date requirement so your book may be relatively recent or decades old;
* In your introduction, tell me why you chose this text and why it is a seminal text in the field;
* Provide some context as to its influence. For example, you may include articles or citations of the book, helping to contextualize its status as important in the field in which it is situated;
* Provide the main arguments of the book and the primary and secondary research questions the author is posing;
* Lay out and analyze the methods used by the author or authors to answer these questions.
* How did the author conduct their research? Analysis should include a detailed description of the research methods utilized, how the research was conducted, and whether the methods effectively answer the question posed.
The Research paper on Origins Of Psychology And Research Methods Worksheet 2
Part I: Origins of PsychologyThe seven major perspectives in modern psychology are psychoanalytic, behaviorist, humanist, cognitive, neuroscientific/biopsychological, evolutionary, and sociocultural. Psychoanalytic: The founder of the psychoanalytic school of thought is Sigmund Freud. He believed that many psychological problems result from the conflicts that occur between “acceptable” ...
* Discuss the book’s findings. What are the main conclusions of the text and how are the findings linked back to the research question(s)
* You might also include responses or critiques of the methods used in the book by other scholars or ones that you have yourself.
For example, if you are interested in segregation of cities in the United States, you might read and analyze Massey and Denton’s American Apartheid: Segregation and the Making of the Underclass or if you are interested in disaster politics/history of LA, you might look at Ecology of Fear by Mike Davis
Option 2-Compare and contrast 2 peer reviewed articles, a book and an article, 2 books, etc… that address the same or similar question.
* Pick a topic that interests you;
* Describe the topic and the research question posed by each piece. These should be similar questions being asked by two different authors;
* What issue are these articles addressing? Tell me why you have chosen these 2 pieces and how they play a role in the conversation you are interested in following. You should situate the conversation in its broader context. You could do this through news stories, other articles, number of citations, etc…but the two sources you are comparing must be academic.
* Lay out and analyze the methods used by each author and how it contributes to their findings;
* Compare and contrast the methods used by each author. Analysis should include a detailed description of the research methods utilized, how the research was conducted, and whether the methods effectively answer the question posed.
* Are their findings different using different methods, similar using different methods, different using similar methods, etc? Do you think one piece is more effective, a better contribution than another, complement one another, or do you need to look at both for the whole picture? Think here about how different bits of research fit together to tell a larger story….
The Essay on Open Ended Questions in Research
Questionnaires and surveys are useful for determining the attitudes, characteristics, profiles, beliefs from a sample of people. In designing a questionnaire that focuses on open ended questions the main concern should be on determining the way the responses will be quantified. Open ended questions are often used in research to clarify closed questions or as a means of generating ideas. In both ...
For example, we looked at the issue of welfare reform in the United States. Studies ask the similar question, “Was welfare reform a success” or “Did welfare reform work”? Studies use different metrics to define “success” and go about their research with different methods, sometimes coming to divergent conclusions and sometimes agreeing with each other. This type of analysis could be conducted here for any topic you might want to look at. So, analysis of a policy, a piece of legislation, a government project, etc.. might be a good choice here. You might also look at a social question such as, “is there a hiring bias against female scientists?”.
Option 3: Full Grant Proposals. If you are taking this route, you must come speak with me first.
Additional Details
A paragraph including the text or texts you will be analyzing and a short description of your topic of interest is due Tuesday, November 12th. I will post a link on moodle and/or you can hand me your paragraph in class.
Final papers should be 5-8 pages double-spaced, 12 point font, Times New Roman, 1” margins. Please include both a paper title and page numbers. Also, include the complete bibliographic citation of the text or texts you are using.
If you are using journal articles, you must attach the original journal article(s) to your paper
Please print out your papers, preferably double-sided. If you would like comments prior to next semester, either 1) provide me a self-addressed, stamped envelope and I will mail you your paper or 2) email me a copy with a note on the hard copy that you would like email comments.
Papers are due Thursday, December 12, 2013 by 9p. Please give a hard copy to Sylvia on December 13th (before UEP closes at 5pm) and email a copy to me.
