Choose a current topic on a social issue/debate that interests you enough to research for the rest of the course. Briefly explain why the issue is compelling to you.

RESEARCH PLANNING WORKSHEET

1. Choose a current topic on a social issue/debate that interests you enough to research for the rest of the course. For information on choosing an issue, consult the Week 2 resource link “The Twelve Tests of an Arguable Issue” and video lecture on developing a good research topic.

Topic:

2. Briefly explain why the issue is compelling to you.
3. Briefly describe two opposing viewpoints surrounding this issue.

Viewpoint A:

Viewpoint B:

4.Introduce your issue by briefly describing what caused the issue or problem? Why is the issue considered a problem? Who are the stakeholders (people with a concern or interest in the issue)?

5. List two reliable and current sources that you might use to support the two differing viewpoints you identified in question 3. List the sources using correct MLA style format. For information on finding reliable sources and MLA citation practices, consult the Week 4 lectures and the Purdue Owl available at https://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/747/01/.

Beneath each citation, provide a brief annotation (description) that includes a summary of the source’s main idea and how you might use this information in your research.

Research Planning Worksheet Rubric

Possible Points: 0 – 25pts                    Comments

 

An arguable issue is identified
Two relevant opposing viewpoints are given
Issue origins and stakeholders are identified
Two reliable and current sources are given with annotations and proper citation