Discussion Assignment Instructions

Read: Morgan, Leech, Gloeckner, & Barrett: Chapters 1 – 2, Appendices A – B

Read: Keller: Introduction – Part I

Watch: Research Questions Hypothesis and Variables

The student will complete 8 short-answer discussions in this course and 1 long-answer Integrating Faith and Learning discussion. In the thread for each short-answer discussion the student will post short answers to the prompted questions. 

The answers must demonstrate course-related knowledge and support their assertions with scholarly citations in the latest APA format.  Minimum word count for all short answers cumulatively is 275 words. The minimum word count for Integrating Faith and Learning discussion is 700 words. For each thread the student must include a title block with your name, class title, date, and the discussion forum number; write the question number and the question title as a level one heading (e.g. D1.1 Variables) and then provide your response; use Level Two headings for multi part questions (e.g. D1.1 & D1.1.a, D1.1.b, etc.), and include a reference section.

Respond to the following short answer questions from Chapter 1 of the Morgan, Leech, Gloeckner, & Barrett textbook:

This introduction to the research problem and questions raised by the HSB dataset should help make the assignments meaningful, and it should provide a guide and some examples for your own research.

Interpretation Questions

D1.1.Compare the terms active independent variable and attribute independent variable. What are the similarities and differences?

D1.2.What kind of independent variable (active or attribute) is necessary to infer cause? Can one always infer cause from this type of independent variable? If so, why? If not, when can one infer cause and when might causal inferences be more questionable?

D1.3.What is the difference between the independent variable and the dependent variable?

D1.4.Compare and contrast associational, difference, and descriptive types of research questions.

D1.5.Write a research question and a corresponding hypothesis regarding variables of interest to you but not in the HSB dataset. Is it an associational, difference, or descriptive question?

D1.6. Using one or more of the following HSB variables, religion, mosaic pattern test, and visualization score

(a.)Write an associational question.

(b.)Write a difference question.

(c.)Write a descriptive question.

Discussion Grading Rubric:

Thread Content: Short Answer Questions Responded completely to each question / subquestion Response well organized and easy to follow 11(pts)— All key components of theDiscussion prompt areanswered in the thread.The thread has a clear,logical flow.

Thread Structure: Formatting Title Block Level One Headings Level Two Headings Citations and Reference Section Conclusions from analysis correct 4 (pts)— Spelling and grammar arecorrect. Sentences arecomplete, clear, and concise. Paragraphscontain appropriatelyvaried sentencestructures. APA formattingwas used properly.Minimum word count of 200-250 words is met or exceeded for the original thread.