RURAL SOCIOLOGY (SOCI 3168) Fall 2019 Research Paper Instructions Professor Florence Wakoko-Studstill, Ph.D. ________________________________________________________________ Reflect on the topics we have discussed and write a paper describing the nature and extent of a rural problem in a community of your choice. As you can tell from a variety of readings covered, both rural people and rural communities are affected by a series of problems ranging from income poverty, resource inequality, gender inequality, disproportionate educational resources and healthcare distribution, food supply and food security, climate change, immigration and agricultural trade competition. The paper has to be types in Times New Roman, double spaced, 12 Fonts, Margins 1.5 on left and right (use this page as an example). TASK: You are to select a research topic of your choice based on the readings we have covered, and write a well-research paper using the format described below: Research Topic: _____ I. Introduction & Background Define the topic and describe what you know about it using scholarly published literature. Ask yourself, what do you know about this issue? What is the nature and extend of the problem in a rural community that you have chosen to study? (provide statistical information from the literature to support your point). What questions are you asking? II. Justification Describe the significance (importance) of this study to research and on policy about rural life. Ask yourself, why is this topic worth studying? At all times reference scholarly work and do not use common sense opinions. III. Objectives of the study Describe what you are going to do in this research paper. That is, what is the purpose of your study? What do you want to achieve? Examples of key concepts used to state objectives include the following, to: Explore; Describe; Explain, Identify, Analyze, Assess, Determine xxx. List at least 3 objectives of your study. IV. Literature Review Review literature related to your topic. The review should include information about: Key questions asked, theoretical perspectives used or, previous studies reviewed; research method used, findings of the study, and conclusions drawn. V. Methods Describe the research method you have used in your study (refer to your Introductory Sociology book to refresh your mind about research methods). VI. Conclusion and recommendations Focus your conclusion to the objectives of the study, and make recommendations about what policy makers need to do to solve the problem. Rubric for the Essay in Rural Sociology (SOCI 4796) ELEMENT Exemplary 50 Proficient 40-49 Partially Proficient 30-39 Unsatisfactory Below 30 Introduction The introduction presents the overall topic and draws the audience into the article /video/ or text and to what will follow The introduction is clear and coherent and relates to the topic, and to wh.

1. RURAL SOCIOLOGY (SOCI 3168)
Fall 2019
Research Paper Instructions
Professor Florence Wakoko-Studstill, Ph.D.
_____________________________________________________
___________
Reflect on the topics we have discussed and write a paper
describing the nature and extent of a rural problem in a
community of your choice. As you can tell from a variety of
readings covered, both rural people and rural communities are
affected by a series of problems ranging from income poverty,
resource inequality, gender inequality, disproportionate
educational resources and healthcare distribution, food supply
and food security, climate change, immigration and agricultural
trade competition.
The paper has to be types in Times New Roman, double spaced,
12 Fonts, Margins 1.5 on left and right (use this page as an
example).
TASK: You are to select a research topic of your choice based
on the readings we have covered, and write a well-research
paper using the format described below:
Research Topic: _____
I. Introduction & Background
Define the topic and describe what you know about it using
scholarly published literature. Ask yourself, what do you know
about this issue? What is the nature and extend of the problem
in a rural community that you have chosen to study? (provide
statistical information from the literature to support your point).
What questions are you asking?
II. Justification

2. Describe the significance (importance) of this study to research
and on policy about rural life. Ask yourself, why is this topic
worth studying? At all times reference scholarly work and do
not use common sense opinions.
III. Objectives of the study
Describe what you are going to do in this research paper. That
is, what is the purpose of your study? What do you want to
achieve? Examples of key concepts used to state objectives
include the following, to: Explore; Describe; Explain, Identify,
Analyze, Assess, Determine xxx. List at least 3 objectives of
your study.
IV. Literature Review
Review literature related to your topic. The review should
include information about: Key questions asked, theoretical
perspectives used or, previous studies reviewed; research
method used, findings of the study, and conclusions drawn.
V. Methods
Describe the research method you have used in your study (refer
to your Introductory Sociology book to refresh your mind about
research methods).
VI. Conclusion and recommendations
Focus your conclusion to the objectives of the study, and make
recommendations about what policy makers need to do to solve
the problem.
Rubric for the Essay in Rural Sociology (SOCI 4796)
ELEMENT

3. Exemplary
50
Proficient
40-49
Partially
Proficient
30-39
Unsatisfactory
Below 30
Introduction The
introduction
presents the
overall topic
and draws the
audience into
the article

4. /video/ or text
and to what
will follow
The
introduction is
clear and
coherent and
relates to the
topic, and to
what will
follow
The introduction
shows some
structure but
does not create a
strong sense of
what is to

5. follow. May be
incomplete and
is somewhat
appealing to the
audience.
The introduction
does not orient
the audience to
what the reading
is all about and
what will
follow.
The sequencing
is unclear and
does not appear
interesting or
relevant to the
readings.

6. Content The content is
written clearly
and concisely
with a logical
progression of
ideas and
supporting
information
from literature.
The project
includes
specific
question to be
answered, key
points, and
motivating
questions from
student . The

7. project gives
the audience a
clear sense of
the main idea.
Information is
The content is
written with a
logical
progression of
ideas and
supporting
information.
Includes
specific
questions, is
persuasive
information
from reliable

8. sources.
The content is
vague in
conveying a
point of view
and does not
create a strong
sense of purpose.
Includes some
persuasive
information with
few facts.
Some of the
information may
not seem to fit.
Sources used
appear
unreliable.

9. The content
lacks a clear
point of view
and logical
sequence of
information.
Includes little
persuasive
information and
only one or two
facts about the
topic.
Information is
incomplete,
based on
personal opinion
and/or incorrect.
Sequencing of

10. ideas is unclear.
accurate, and
comes mainly
from
appropriate
sources.
Thoroughly and
clearly
answered/
completed the
discussion
prompt
requirements.
Text The fonts are
easy-to-read
and point size
varies

11. appropriately
for headings
and text.
Use of italics,
bold, and
indentations
enhances
readability.
Text is
appropriate in
length ((1 page
1.5 spaced for
each week’s
readings) and
to the point.
The
background
and colors

12. enhance the
readability of
text.
Sometimes the
fonts are easy-
to-read, but in a
few places the
use of fonts,
italics, bold,
long
paragraphs,
color or busy
background
detracts and
does not
enhance
readability.
Overall

13. readability is
difficult with
lengthy
paragraphs, too
many different
fonts, dark or
busy
background,
overuse of bold
or lack of
appropriate
indentations of
text.
The text is
extremely
difficult to read
with long blocks
of text and small

14. point size of
fonts,
inappropriate
contrasting
colors, poor use
of headings,
subheadings,
indentations, or
bold formatting.
Layout The layout is
visually
pleasing and
contributes to
The layout uses
horizontal and
vertical white
space
The layout

15. shows some
structure, but
appears cluttered
The layout is
cluttered,
confusing, and
does not use
the overall
message with
appropriate use
of headings,
subheadings
and white
space.
appropriately. and busy or
distracting with
large gaps of

16. white space or
uses a distracting
background.
spacing,
headings and
subheadings to
enhance the
readability.
Citations Sources of
information are
properly cited
using APA
style and the
audience can
determine the
credibility and
authority of the
information

17. presented.
All sources of
information are
clearly
identified and
credited using
appropriate
citation format.
Most sources of
information use
proper citation
format, and
sources are
documented to
make it possible
to check on the
accuracy of
information.

18. Sometimes
copyright
guidelines are
followed and
some
information,
photos and
graphics do not
include proper
citation format.
No way to check
validity of
information.
Writing
Mechanics
The text is
written with no
errors in

19. grammar,
capitalization,
punctuation,
and spelling.
The text is
clearly written
with little or no
editing required
for grammar,
punctuation,
and spelling.
Spelling,
punctuation, and
grammar errors
distract or impair
readability.
(3 or more
errors)

20. Errors in
spelling,
capitalization,
punctuation,
usage and
grammar
repeatedly
distract the
reader and major
editing and
revision is
required. (more
than 5 errors)
TOTAL POINTS = 50
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Programs, and Graduate Degree
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