Research Project

Name _______________________

1.0 Reasoning for action: Use reasoning processes, individually and collectively to address broad, recurring concerns and to take responsible action in families, workplaces, and communities,

SS/H 12.4.15 Develop the skills needed for informed participation in public affairs.
R/W 12.1.2 Locate, access & evaluate resources to identify appropriate information.

Choose one topic associated with ___________________________ and develop the topic using the following format. When you write the paper actually list “Step 1” A. then answer it. Do this for each question and step so that they are clearly marked.

Step 1: Research and gather information about the topic and the concerns.

A. Societies goals and values that are involved with the topic. How does society view the issues you’ve selected?

B. The situational factors involved with this topic might include the following:
Select a minimum of FOUR questions to address in your research project.

1. What laws, government agencies or institutions are involved?
2. What historical background is found for this topic?
3. What political factors are involved?
4. What economic factors are involved?
5. What social, cultural or religious factors are involved?
6. What personal needs are present to cause you to want to deal with this topic?
Why did you choose this topic?

Step 2.: After considering the previous factors, develop a problem statement by choosing
one of the following?

What should I do about (what ever your issue was)? (Personally)
What should we do about (whatever your issue was)?(family, group, class)
What should be done about whatever your issue was)? (society)

Step 3: Identify how this issue would look in the perfect world – the ideal.

Step 4: Identify possible solutions (at least 2) and the consequences for those solutions
(both negative and positive). If you have difficulty with this step ask yourself if
you have enough information. You may need to get more information to be able to
see and understand all points of view.

Step 5: Select ONE workable solution and justify the selection. Possible questions to answer
would be:
1. How would I feel if I were the person being harmed or adversely affected by this solution?
2. What would be the consequences if everyone in this same situation selected the same
solution?
3. Would this same solution be acceptable if applied to other similar circumstances?
4. Does this solution coincide with or reflect my fundamental moral beliefs and values?

Step 6: After determining a workable solution, what would you do to take action on this issue?

Step 7: Draw conclusions concerning this topic/problem and the solution. Discuss what you
may have learned about yourself as a result of completing this thought process.

Step 1 = 30pts.
Step 2 = 5pts.
Step 3,4,5,& 6 = 35 pts.
Step 7 = 10 pts.
Other – grammar, punctuation, sentence structure, voice, word choice etc. = 20 pts.
Total = 100 pts.
This is doubled for a test grade

Brainstorm/list some possible issues or topics for this course.

Teacher Note: Assessment for Research Project
This is an example of how I assess the research papers that students complete whenever they are assigned. Generally this is used in Parenting Decisions and/or Child Development

1.0 Reasoning for Action : Use reasoning processes, individually and collectively, to address broad, recurring concerns and to take responsible action in families, workplaces and communities
SS/H 12.4.15 Develop the skills needed for informed participation in public affairs
R/W 12.1.2 Locate, access & evaluate resources to identify appropriate information.


Rubric Worksheet