I chose to do my paper on Sociology of Family. Specifically effect of divorce on children. This topic is reasonable and important, considering the high rate of divorce in the United States. Nearly half of all marriages end in divorce, leaving nearly one million children to experience divorce. I am interested in this topic because I am a product of divorced parents and have been in situations with my husband where I thought divorce could have happened. We have 2 children and my husband is a great father and would hate to be divorced and put my children through it. My topic is important to society because when parents’ divorce it takes a huge toll on children. When it takes such a toll on children their behavior worsens and the amount of trouble they get into as teenager’s increases the chances of them going to jail and not caring about their futures. Kid’s attitudes and lives depend on the attitudes of their parents. When children see their parents getting divorced to them it could mean their parents have given up and therefore the child feels it okay to give up. Children are our future and how they are raised and the struggles they go through have a huge impact on what kind of adult they become. My society is not the same as society in southern California, but we as parents all want the same thing for our children, to grow up and live good lives, be loved and be happy. No parent wants to be the cause of why their children didn’t have all of these things. Are children with married parents happier or the same as divorced parents? Two variables would be ages of children at the time of divorce and education level of the parents at the time of divorce. Children whose parents have divorced are increasingly the victims of abuse and neglect. They exhibit more health problems, as well as behavioral and emotional problems, are involved more frequently in crime and drug abuse, and have higher rates of suicide. Children of divorced parents more frequently demonstrate a decrease in learning, performing more poorly than their peers from a two-parent family in reading, spelling, and math. They also are more likely to repeat a grade and to have higher drop-out rates and lower rates of college graduation. Divorce generally reduces the income of the child’s primary household and seriously reduces the potential of every member of the household to accumulate wealth. For families that were not poor before the divorce, the drop in income can be as much as 50 percent. Moreover, decline in income is intergenerational, since children whose parents divorce are likely to earn less as adults than children raised in complete families. Religious worship, which has been linked to health and happiness as well as longer marriages and better family life, is less prevalent in divorced families. Children whose parents have divorced are increasingly the victims of abuse and neglect. They exhibit more health problems, as well as behavioral and emotional problems, are involve.

1. I chose to do my paper on Sociology of Family. Specifically
effect of divorce on children. This topic is reasonable and
important, considering the high rate of divorce in the United
States. Nearly half of all marriages end in divorce, leaving
nearly one million children to experience divorce.
I am interested in this topic because I am a product of divorced
parents and have been in situations with my husband where I
thought divorce could have happened. We have 2 children and
my husband is a great father and would hate to be divorced and
put my children through it.
My topic is important to society because when parents’ divorce
it takes a huge toll on children. When it takes such a toll on
children their behavior worsens and the amount of trouble they
get into as teenager’s increases the chances of them going to jail
and not caring about their futures. Kid’s attitudes and lives
depend on the attitudes of their parents. When children see their
parents getting divorced to them it could mean their parents
have given up and therefore the child feels it okay to give up.
Children are our future and how they are raised and the
struggles they go through have a huge impact on what kind of
adult they become. My society is not the same as society in
southern California, but we as parents all want the same thing
for our children, to grow up and live good lives, be loved and be
happy. No parent wants to be the cause of why their children
didn’t have all of these things.
Are children with married parents happier or the same as
divorced parents?
Two variables would be ages of children at the time of divorce
and education level of the parents at the time of divorce.
Children whose parents have divorced are increasingly the
victims of abuse and neglect. They exhibit more health
problems, as well as behavioral and emotional problems, are
involved more frequently in crime and drug abuse, and have
higher rates of suicide. Children of divorced parents more

2. frequently demonstrate a decrease in learning, performing more
poorly than their peers from a two-parent family in reading,
spelling, and math. They also are more likely to repeat a grade
and to have higher drop-out rates and lower rates of college
graduation. Divorce generally reduces the income of the child’s
primary household and seriously reduces the potential of every
member of the household to accumulate wealth. For families
that were not poor before the divorce, the drop in income can be
as much as 50 percent. Moreover, decline in income is
intergenerational, since children whose parents divorce are
likely to earn less as adults than children raised in complete
families. Religious worship, which has been linked to health
and happiness as well as longer marriages and better family life,
is less prevalent in divorced families. Children whose parents
have divorced are increasingly the victims of abuse and neglect.
They exhibit more health problems, as well as behavioral and
emotional problems, are involved more frequently in crime and
drug abuse, and have higher rates of suicide. Children of
divorced parents more frequently demonstrate a diminished
learning capacity, performing more poorly than their peers from
intact two-parent families in reading, spelling, and math. They
also are more likely to repeat a grade and to have higher drop-
out rates and lower rates of college graduation. Divorce
generally reduces the income of the child’s primary household
and seriously diminishes the potential of every member of the
household to accumulate wealth. For families that were not poor
before the divorce, the drop in income can be as much as 50
percent. Moreover, decline in income is intergenerational, since
children whose parents divorce are likely to earn less as adults
than children raised in intact families.
SOCIOLOGY 498
Senior Seminar in Sociology
Annotated Bibliography (25 points):
Due no later than 11:55p ET on October 9, 2015

3. Purpose: The purpose of this step is to analyze the
relationship(s) between your sources and between your sources
and your research question. This will be building on the critical
reading done on 1 article completed during the last step.
For each source, briefly summarize what evidence it provides to
answer your research question. (this may build on the relevance
of the source, but it should not be an exact copy of that cell).
For 15 sources (12 of which should be peer-reviewed articles),
analyze that source in comparison to another one of your
sources. This could be based on type of methodology used, size
of sample, hypothesis, findings, how variables are measured,
etc. If you analyze Source 1 in comparison to Source 2, then
your Source 2 analysis should be compared to a source other
than Source 1. Keep in mind all analysis should relate back to
your research question.
Source 1
Source 2
Etc.
Source Title
APA-formatted citation for source
Relevance of source to Research Q
2-3 sentence description of source

4. Main Research Question
Hypotheses
Methodology (quantitative vs qualitative, etc)
Independent variable(s)
Dependent variable(s)
Key Findings
Strengths
Weaknesses
Critically evaluate the content for accuracy, bias and coverage

5. Analysis of source as it helps to answer your question
Analysis of 2+ sources (compare/contrast)
Grading: This assignment will be graded based on completion of
all of the requirements.
Annotated Bibliography Grading Rubric (100 pts max.):
Point Value
Total Possible
Research Question
2.5 pts x 1
2.5
Source Title
.25 pts x 15 sources
3.75
APA-formatted citation for source
.25 pts x 15 sources
3.75
Relevance of source to Research Q
.25 pts x 15 sources
3.75
2-3 sentence description of source
.5 pts x 15 sources
7.5

6. Main Research Question
.25 pts x 15 sources
3.75
Hypotheses
.25 pts x 15 sources
3.75
Methodology (quantitative vs qualitative, etc)
1 pt x 15 sources
15
Independent variable(s)
.25 pts x 15 sources
3.75
Dependent variable(s)
.25 pts x 15 sources
3.75
Key Findings
.75 pts x 15 sources
11.25
Strengths
.5 pts x 15 sources
7.5
Weaknesses
.5 pts x 15 sources
7.5
Critically evaluate the content for accuracy, bias and coverage
.25 pts x 15 sources
3.75
Analysis of source as it helps to answer your question
.25 pts x 15 sources
3.75
Analysis of 2+ sources (compare/contrast)
1 pt x 15 sources
15
100

7. SOCIOLOGY 498
Senior Seminar in Sociology
Critique of One Peer-Reviewed Article (25 points):
Due no later than 11:55p ET on October 2, 2015
Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is for you to critically
read a peer-reviewed article relevant to your research question.
You will be providing a sociological summary, analysis and
critique. You should write it with intent to incorporate it into
your paper, and to start to establish how you will organize your
literature review.
The completed assignment (2-4pgs) should include:
1) Statement of the thesis/research question in the article
2) Clear statement of how this article is relevant to your
research project’s thesis/research statement/question
3) Brief description of:
a. Methodology and analysis used –
i. Quantitative: primary data analysis – from data collected by
the researcher OR secondary data analysis – from a database;
statistical model used
ii. Qualitative (e.g. interview, content analysis, observation)
iii. Level of analysis (micro, meso, macro)
b. Sample size and composition (i.e. n=2,500; 90% respondents
white females ages 21-48 drawn from a national probability
sample)

8. c. Identification of key variables and their measurement
i. Independent variable(s) and dependent variable(s)
ii. Measurement: e.g. gender role attitudes were measured on a
Likert Scale (1-5) from very traditional to very egalitarian.
d. Hypotheses of the authors
4) Key findings
5) Analyze strengths and weaknesses of article
a. Should include at least 2 strengths and 2 weaknesses
6) Any paraphrased or quoted work must include APA formatted
in-text citations and reference
· Notes: Be aware of the structure of a scientific article such as
this: introduction of the problem, literature review,
methodology, findings, and discussion. Notice that the authors
begin with a discussion of theories (and prior literature) that
predict/explain their thesis an hypotheses
· This should be written in essay format (not bullet points); it
will be graded/reviewed not only for content but for logic,
clarity, and mechanics (grammar, spelling, etc). Remember to
proofread your work carefully. The assignment should be 2-4
double-spaced, typed pages.
CRITIQUE OF PEER-REVIEWED ARTICLE GRADING
RUBRIC
Outstanding
Above Average

9. Average
Below Average
Unacceptable
Paper Length: 2 pts
3-4 full pages or more (2 pts)
2-3 full pages(1.5 pts)
2 full pages. (1 pts)
1.5-2 pages. (.5pt)
Less than 1 pg (0 pts)
Statement of Article Thesis/Research Q
Clearly stated (1 pt)
Difficult to find, needs clarifications.5 pt
Not included 0 pt
Relevance of Article to Research Q
Clearly stated (2 pts)
1.5 pts
Needs some elaboration (1 pt)
Unclear, needs significant elaboration (.5 pts)
Missing (0 pts)
Description of Methods
Detailed description reflects thorough reading of article and
understanding of methods (5 pts)
Minor errors; need some elaboration/clarification of methods (3
pts)
Significant errors; missing (0 pts)
Statement of Hypothesis
Clearly Sated (1 pt)

10. Difficult to find, needs clarification (.5 pt)
Not included (0pts)
Key Findings
Reflects thorough reading and understanding of key findings. (3
pts)
Needs some elaboration/clarification (1.5 pts)
Incorrect, not included (0pts)
Analyze Strengths & Weaknesses
Reflects thorough reading of the article. Includes 2 clearly
stated strengths and 2 weaknesses (5 pts)
Missing 1 strength/weakness; need elaboration/clarification; (3
pts)
Significant errors; missing (0 pts)
Paper Organization: 5 pts
Typed with proper margins, font, and sizing. Academic
language used; college-level writing. Paragraphs flow well,
linked by transitional phrases. Excellent logic and clarity
(5 pts)
Typed with proper margins, font, and sizing. Academic
language used; college-level writing. Paper is easy to read.
Good logic and clarity(4 pts)
Typed with proper margins, font, and sizing. Academic
language used; college-level writing. Average login and clarity.
Needs some elaboration/clarification (3 pts)
Paper is lacking proper organization and flow. Below college-
level writing. Lack of clarity in thoughts and arguments. . (2
pts)

11. Margins are too large. Font style is not Arial or Times New
Roman. Font size is larger than 12. Paper is not in paper format.
Language used throughout paper is informal and non-academic.
(1 pt)
APA Formatted Citations
Included APA formatted in-text citations and full references for
ALL paraphrased and quoted work from other sources. (3 pts)
Minor errors in APA formatting of citations. (2 pts)
Multiple errors in APA formatting of citations. (1.5 pt)
Missing some citations, and errors in APA formatting. (1 pts)
No citations included. (0 pts)
Grammar & Spelling
Author makes no errors in grammar or spelling that distract the
reader from the content. (3 pts)
Author makes a couple errors in grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from the content. (2 pts)
Author makes a few errors in grammar or spelling that distract
the reader from the content. (1 pt)
Author makes multiple errors in grammar or spelling that
distract the reader from the content. (.5 pts)
Authors makes so many errors in grammar and spelling that the
intent of the paper cannot be understood. (0 pts)
SOCIOLOGY 498
Senior Seminar in Sociology
1 paragraph summary of paper with 1 reference (5 points):
Due no later than Sept 25,2015
Purpose: The purpose of this assignment is for you to begin to
organize your thoughts on your paper including location (and
reading) of at least one relevant peer-reviewed journal article.
The paragraph (a possible draft of your introduction) should
include:
The completed (approx. 1pg) paragraph should include:
1) Clear, well-articulated, statement of your thesis (research
question)

12. 2) A statement on how this thesis is significant to the study of
society
3) A statement on how this thesis is significant to the
subfield(s) of sociology within which your paper topic falls
4) A brief summary (2-3 sentences) of 1 peer-reviewed article
which you plan to use in your paper
a. This should clearly identify how this article helps to explore
your research question
b. The summary should include the thesis of the article, any
notable features (year published, methodology employed,
sample size and/or composition), and a very brief summary of
their findings
c. Any paraphrased or quoted work must include APA
formatted in-text citations and reference
Note: this should be written in essay format (not bullet points);
it will be graded/reviewed not only for content but for logic,
clarity, and mechanics (grammar, spelling, etc). Remember to
proofread your work carefully. The assignment is for 1
paragraph, but degree of information may stretch it up to 3
paragraphs (it should NOT be longer than 1.5 double-spaced
page).
1 Paragraph summary w/ 1 Article Grading Rubric (5 points)
Excellent
Average
Needs Improvement
Thesis
Thesis clearly identified (.5 pt)
Thesis needs clarification (.25 pt)
Thesis unclear or missing (0 pt)
Significance to Society

13. Clearly identify how thesis is significant to study of society. (.5
pt)
Need some elaboration/clarification on how thesis is significant
to study of society. (.25 pt)
Very unclear or missing description of how thesis is significant
to study of society. (0 pt)
Significance to Subfield
Clearly identify how thesis is significant to study of subfield.
(.5 pt)
Need some elaboration/clarification on how thesis is significant
to study of subfield (.25 pt)
Very unclear or missing description of how thesis is significant
to study of subfield (0 pt)
Peer-Reviewed Article
Used relevant peer-reviewed article (.5 pt)
Used peer-reviewed article, but it is not clearly relevant to
research question. (.25 pt)
Article not from a peer-reviewed journal 0 pt)
Article and Research Q
Clearly Identified how article helps to explore research
question. (.5 pt)
Need to elaborate some on how article helps to explore research
question. (.25 pt)
Very unclear or missing description of how article helps to
explore research question. (0 pt)
Summary of Article
Concisely described thesis of article, notable features, and a
brief summary of findings. (2 pts)
Missing component or need clarification of description of thesis
of article, notable features, and a brief summary of findings. 1
pt)
Missing many components or need much clarification of
description of thesis of article, notable features, and a brief
summary of findings. (0 pt)
APA-style Formatting
Included APA formatted in-text citations and full references for

14. ALL paraphrased and quoted work from other sources. (.5 pts)
Some errors in APA formatting of citations. (.25 pt)
Multiple errors in APA formatting of citations; or no citation(s).
(0 pt)