Brainstorming Report
Course: Social Science 1SS3 – Inquiry in the Social Sciences
Basic Information:
With this assignment you will conduct and reflect on the process of moving from a
general research topic to a specific research question. Your task is to thoroughly
explore your essay topic using background research, topic mapping, and critical
thinking. You will use this exploration process to develop a number of research
questions from which you will select the strongest question and complete a keyword
matrix. You will be asked to reflect on this process as a means to prepare you for your
major research project in this course.
Content:
In terms of subject matter, your research question should be well developed appropriate
for the scope of this course. That is, your research question could meaningfully
addressed within the limits of your final essay.
In terms of subject matter, your matrix and reflection should:
1. demonstrate thorough consideration of your topic and identify key concepts,
related terms, and historical context arising from background research and
original thought;
2. explain why your research question is appropriate for the scope of this course;
and
3. articulate what you learned about the brainstorming process and how you will
approach starting a research project in the future.
Well-developed and appropriate to the scope of this course.
The objective is to create a research question that is narrow enough to be answerable
in your final essay but complex enough to require analysis and original thought. The
research question should also be clearly address the all the relevant ‘Five Ws’ of your
question (who, what, when, where, and why). Your matrix should correctly identify the
key concepts of your question and avoid vague works.
Brainstorming Report
SOCSCI 1SS3: Inquiry in the Social Sciences
Thorough consideration of your topic and identification of key concepts
The matrix and reflection are opportunities for you to demonstrate the quality of your
background research. In the matrix, you can express this through the
comprehensiveness and accuracy of the alternative terms and related concepts you
include. Your reflection should address the approach(es) took to explore your topic;
detail any concepts that were confusing or unclear at the beginning of your
brainstorming and how you addressed them; detail particularly useful sources of
information; and identify how you know when to stop conducting background research.
Most importantly, your reflection should address the “so what” of your research
question; why is the answer to this question important to know compared other
questions you could have asked.
Articulate what you learned about the brainstorming process
In your reflection you should briefly explain what you learned about the brainstorming
process and how you will approach starting a research project in the future.
Specifically, you should address any differences between what you expected to find or
what information is available and what you actually found. Be sure to mention any
points of uncertainty, “aha” moments or turning points in the process of brainstorming.
Format:
A template report has been created for you. Please see the accompanying file.
Your task, then, is to develop a report that includes three elements:
a) your final research question;
b) a keyword matrix related to your research question; and
c) a 500 word reflection.
Writing your Question
–
Your question should be 1 sentence long and phrased as an inquiry. Remember to
make your question both creative & specific.
Completing the Keyword Matrix
–
Each row of your keyword matrix should pertain to a single key concept of your
research question. Each column should contain a synonym, similar, or related term.
At this stage you do not need to account for alternative spellings. You may add or
subtract columns and rows as needed. Be aware that a question that contains only
one key concept is likely not complex enough for this assignment.
Writing a Reflection
–
Your reflection should be written in paragraph form and be 500 words in length. The
purpose of this reflection is for you to illustrate your insight into the process of
Brainstorming Report
SOCSCI 1SS3: Inquiry in the Social Sciences
creating a research question. Instead of listing out the steps of your process,
explain the choices you made and the reasoning behind them and elaborate on the
challenges you encountered. Be concise and be sure to select the most meaning
full and interesting points of your brainstorming process. As this is a personal
reflection you may use first person pronouns as you see fit.
Referencing:
You are not required to reference a specific number of sources. However, if you wish to
discuss a particular video, reading or information source that helped you develop your
research process or clarified your understanding of the topic, please include appropriate
citations and references. If you wish to discuss a type of source in general you do not
need to use a citation.
Submission:
All assignments must be submitted in MS Word or PDF format to the proper Avenue to
Learn folder. To submit your assignment:
1. Click Assessments (top navigation bar)
2. Select Assignments
3. Click the assignment folder.
You may submit to the assignment folder multiple times, but your instructor will mark
only the final document uploaded. So make sure your final document is the correct one.
The due date for this assignment is indicated on the Detailed Course Schedule in the
About the Course module.
Evaluation:
This assignment will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
•
TBD (Instructor’s Judgment)
Brainstorming Report
SOCSCI 1SS3: Inquiry in the Social Sciences
Brainstorming Report
Name:
Student ID:
Instructor:
Course: Social Science 1SS3 – Inquiry in the Social Sciences
Research Question:
State your research question below. It should narrow enough to be answerable in your
final essay but complex enough to require analysis and original thought. The research
question should also be clearly address the all the relevant Five Ws of your question
(who, what, when, where, and why).
Keyword Matrix
Build a list of relevant/useful terms for each key concept of your research question. You
may consider consulting abstracts, articles, subject headings, book chapters, and
encyclopedia’s to generate a comprehensive list. Each row should pertain to a single
key concept of your research question. Each column should contain a synonym, similar,
or related term. You may add or subtract columns and rows as needed.
Key concepts
Synonyms, similar, and related terms
Reflection (500 words)
–
Your reflection should be written in paragraph form and be 500 words in length. The
purpose of this reflection is for you to illustrate your insight into the process of
creating a research question. Instead of listing out the steps of your process,
explain the choices you made and the reasoning behind them and elaborate on the
challenges you encountered. Be concise and be sure to select the most meaning
full and interesting points of your brainstorming process. As this is a personal
reflection you may use first person pronouns as you see fit.