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brie k
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 Posted: 12/12/03 - 11:08 Post subject: if you've taken Sociology, this question is for you...
I have a mini project due for this lesson, and I have to identify a social problem or phenomenon I would like to investigate. I have to formulate a hypothesis and identify the independent and dependent variable, then choose a method of data collection best suited for my study, explaining how I would go about designing the study.
The question is this: would students taking guns to school be a good problem for this project? It is hitting home today again as Libby's future high school AGAIN had a teen who took a gun to school.
Your thoughts or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!
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Gogirlgo
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Posted: 12/12/03 - 11:36 Post subject:
Hi Brie: I was a soc major. I can see that it would be a good one, though I might have trouble identifying just two variables. If you haven't watched "Bowling for Columbine" it would be good background material. I think Moore does a great job exploring the uniquely American components that make this such a devastating problem here and nowhere else.
Good luck, sounds interesting.
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brie k
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Posted: 12/12/03 - 11:46 Post subject:
| Gogirlgo wrote: | Hi Brie: I was a soc major. I can see that it would be a good one, though I might have trouble identifying just two variables. If you haven't watched "Bowling for Columbine" it would be good background material. I think Moore does a great job exploring the uniquely American components that make this such a devastating problem here and nowhere else.
Good luck, sounds interesting. |
I am wondering about the variables as well, and I've emailed my instructor. Now I'm wondering if the flu vaccine shortage is a social problem, and if that might be more feasible... (your thoughts on this idea?)
I haven't seen BfC because Dad is so anti Moore, but I think I will rent it today, thanks for the tip.
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Gogirlgo
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Posted: 12/12/03 - 11:55 Post subject:
Well, like him or not, his film does a great job of looking at a bunch of factors.
Flu vaccine is also interesting, the public policy implications alone would fill several pages. But I always think it's better to do research on something you really find compelling, and especially as your daughter's possible school to be is impacted, maybe guns in schools would do that for you.
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brie k
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Posted: 12/12/03 - 12:08 Post subject:
| Gogirlgo wrote: | Well, like him or not, his film does a great job of looking at a bunch of factors.
Flu vaccine is also interesting, the public policy implications alone would fill several pages. But I always think it's better to do research on something you really find compelling, and especially as your daughter's possible school to be is impacted, maybe guns in schools would do that for you. |
You're right, I am more interested in this (concerned though I am about the flu issues) and this is what I'll work on. I WILL pick up the video today, for certain. It will be a big help I think, particularly because it will enable me to use all 4 methods of data collection.
Thanks for your input! 
Oh, and here's what the instructor had to say:
Well, first of all keep in mind you don't actually have to DO the study. The real aim of the project is for you to put together an independent variable and a dependent variable, i.e., a cause-effect relationship--and you want to stick with sociological variables. So, you might just think about some of the possible relationships that exist regarding guns, guns and kids, gun ownership, etc. So you might hypothesize that children from single parent homes are more likely to bring guns to school than children from two parent homes, or families from states with more lax local gun laws are more likely to have unsecured guns in the home. Here, in each case your dependent variable (or behavior you are trying to explain) is guns brought to school by children or guns easily available to children and you are trying to explain these variables by looking at the family structure or at how liberal or conservative a stae's laws are. This probably gives you ! lots of ideas. One could look at the educational level, income level, race, etc. as variables that affect attitudes and practices regarding guns. Then, you just briefly want to say who you would use as subjects and why and what research techniques you would try to use to test your hypothesis.
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bburgoyne26
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Posted: 12/12/03 - 12:09 Post subject:
If you want a lighter topic here is what has been puzzling me: Undiebands...they are the rage with teenage and younger girls...selling like hotcakes...I guess it's the elastic bands from underwear that you use to tie up your hair...they come in a wide variety of colors and frills...who starts these things, and more importantly, why can't I think of a fad to start and get rich?
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brie k
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Posted: 12/12/03 - 12:17 Post subject:
| bburgoyne26 wrote: | | If you want a lighter topic here is what has been puzzling me: Undiebands...they are the rage with teenage and younger girls...selling like hotcakes...I guess it's the elastic bands from underwear that you use to tie up your hair...they come in a wide variety of colors and frills...who starts these things, and more importantly, why can't I think of a fad to start and get rich? |
first sex bracelets, now this. 
I suppose buying the elastic is better than ripping up your own undies for it. 
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bburgoyne26
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Posted: 12/12/03 - 12:33 Post subject:
seriously now, a topic that does fascinate me is kids that flourish in the face of a horrible life...poverty, abuse, drug addicted parents, dangerous part of town, etc....yet somehow they turn out to be honor students who do real exceptional things...
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