Reflective Research Assignment
With a group you will
identify the four main issues you believe you face as a member of your culture
or generation.
First, let’s look an
example from a culture related to this
class:
Example: The
Westernization of traditional cultures.
Thanks to the SACM,
more Saudi students than ever before are venturing away from their homeland to
seek an education in Western nations. Along with education comes exposure to a
very different culture. Some people worry that this will result in the
westernization of the traditional culture of Saudi Arabia. What do you think
and feel about this? Has your time in the U.S. and exposure to Western culture
changed anything about you? How do your elder family members feel about this
dramatic shift? Are there any people that oppose the KASP? What traditional
values are at risk? Do you think it will change the future of your nation?
Please note that an issue is not always a problem. It can be a positive
change that still requires adjustment from people.
You will choose an
issue that truly interests you to be your inspiration for a reflective research
assignment.
What is “reflective
research” and how does it compare to traditional research?
Well, I am glad you asked! J
Traditional research often
involves reading articles related to a specific topic in order to help find an
answer to a question or problem. The focus of traditional research is on outside
resources which are professionally published. For example, a traditional
research question may be “Do students perform better on tests when they take
notes with pen and paper or on computer?” You would go to the library, try to
locate as many articles and studies related to this topic that you could find,
read them all and then write a paper reflecting on what you have learned.
Reflective research
on the other hand, asks you to explore a topic or issue of particular relevance
to you and then share opinions supported by personal life experience and
experiences of people you know. You
would reflect critically on your personal opinion and experience, interview
peers, friends and relatives on the subject, and then write a thoughtful paper
reflecting on what you learned.
You will most likely be asked to do both kinds of
research in your university career. Please do not think of reflective research
as just talking about yourself. Like traditional research, reflective research
involves careful planning, critical thinking and a professional approach to
writing.
Christina will give additional instruction on using direct
quotes in writing.
Reflective Research
Assignment Prompt:
What do you believe
to be the biggest issue facing members of your culture and/or generation today?
Answer the following questions in your essay:
1.
Why do you consider the issue you chose to be
one of the biggest issues facing members of your culture or generation today?
Include specific examples of how this issue has affected your life personally
and the lives of your friends and family.
2.
What is the history of this issue? How have
things changed and why? What are peoples’ reactions to the change? Do you think
the change is for the better?
Conduct Interviews:
3.
Interview at least 3 people.
One must be a peer, one must be an elder.
I would prefer if you interviewed at least
one person who is currently living in your home country. An older relative,
such as a grandparent, would be a good candidate to satisfy this requirement.
Prepare a minimum of 5 questions to ask
each interviewee. Interview questions must be approved by Christina.
Include quotes from your interviewees in your
paper.
Paper Requirements
·
Your written reflective research assignment must
be 3+ pages.
·
It must include direct quotes from your
interviewees (at least 5).
·
It must be typed in a Word document.
·
Font: Arial
·
Font size: 12
·
Spacing: Double
Due Date
Your Reflective Research paper is due on 12/9
