What This Document Is
This is a detailed assignment sheet for Assignment Four in WRIT 340, an Advanced Writing course at the University of Southern California. It outlines the requirements for a significant firsthand research paper focused on qualitative data analysis within the social sciences. The assignment centers around students conducting original research to support a scholarly argument concerning a facet of human social life. It’s designed to move beyond theoretical understanding and into practical application of research methodologies.
Why This Document Matters
This assignment guide is crucial for students enrolled in WRIT 340 who are preparing to embark on their fourth major writing project. It’s particularly valuable *before* beginning research, as it clarifies expectations regarding scope, methodology, and the overall goals of the assignment. Students will benefit from reviewing this thoroughly to ensure their chosen research topic is feasible and aligns with the course objectives. It’s also helpful for understanding the weighting of this assignment within the overall course grade and key deadlines.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document does *not* provide completed research examples or step-by-step instructions on *how* to conduct the research. It doesn’t offer pre-approved research topics, nor does it supply the qualitative data itself. It’s a framework for the assignment, not a completed study. Students will need to independently develop their research questions, methods, and analysis based on the principles learned in the course.
What This Document Provides
* A clear articulation of the assignment’s core objective: presenting qualitative data to support a scholarly claim.
* Guidance on the appropriate scale for research projects, suggesting acceptable sample sizes.
* Considerations for ethical and practical research design.
* A schedule outlining important dates, including peer review and workshop submissions.
* A list of potential research areas to inspire topic selection, covering a range of social phenomena.
* Information regarding the assignment’s percentage contribution to the final course grade.
