Assignment 1 – 1 ½ pages
Merriam-Webster offers the following definition of a Theory: a plausible or scientifically acceptable general principle or body of principles offered to explain phenomena.
1. Reflect on this definition and then define theory in your own words. Be sure to cite any source that inspired your definition.
2. Explain how theories and research can have practical applications in work with families and children. Give a specific example.
3. What areas in family science need to be further studied. Why?
Don’t forget to cite your text to support your position.
Assignment 2 – 3 pages
In this written assignment, you will be exploring the difference between primary and secondary sources and you will write a summary of one primary source research article. Your assignment (parts 1 and 2 below) should be 3-4 pages in length.
Part 1:
To determine the difference between primary and secondary sources, search a chosen family-related research interest in both Google and Google Scholar. Then answer the following:
· What differences do you notice in the search results?
· Choose one result from Google and one result from Google Scholar and compare the information found in both sources.
· In a 1 page summary, describe the differences between the sources and how you determined if they are primary or secondary sources.
Part 2:
Summarize and critique the research study that you found for the first activity. Be sure to include:
· A summary – the purpose, hypothesis, research question(s), methods and findings of the study.
· Do you agree or disagree with the conclusions of the research?
· What questions remain unanswered in your mind about the topic of the study?
It seems like you have provided the instructions for two assignments. Let’s break down each part and address them:
### Assignment 1 – Theory Definition and Application
1. **Definition of Theory:**
Theory can be defined as a well-founded and systematic framework of principles and concepts that are proposed to explain observable phenomena in a given field. It serves as a plausible and scientifically acceptable explanation, guiding further research and understanding. This definition draws upon Merriam-Webster’s definition and expands on it to emphasize the structured and explanatory nature of theories in academic contexts.
2. **Practical Applications of Theories and Research:**
Theories and research findings play a crucial role in practical applications in the field of family science. For example, attachment theory has been instrumental in shaping interventions aimed at improving parent-child relationships. By understanding how attachment styles influence family dynamics, practitioners can tailor interventions to foster secure attachments and enhance child development outcomes.
3. **Areas Needing Further Study in Family Science:**
There is ongoing need for research in areas such as the impact of digital media on family communication, effectiveness of multicultural family therapy approaches, and long-term outcomes of non-traditional family structures. These areas require further study to address evolving societal trends and to develop evidence-based practices that can support diverse families effectively.
### Assignment 2 – Primary and Secondary Sources Analysis
**Part 1: Differences Between Primary and Secondary Sources**
– **Differences in Search Results:**
Google typically provides a broader range of sources, including news articles, websites, and blogs, which may not be peer-reviewed. Google Scholar, on the other hand, focuses on academic literature such as peer-reviewed journal articles, theses, and conference papers.
– **Comparison of Sources:**
Choose one result from Google (e.g., a news article) and one from Google Scholar (e.g., a peer-reviewed journal article) on your family-related research interest. The Google result may provide a general overview or opinion piece, whereas the Google Scholar article will offer a more rigorous and research-based exploration of the topic.
– **Summary of Differences:**
The Google result is likely to be a secondary source, summarizing information from various perspectives, whereas the Google Scholar article will be a primary source, presenting original research findings, methods, and conclusions. Differentiating between them involves assessing whether the source presents original research data or merely synthesizes existing information.
**Part 2: Summary and Critique of a Research Study**
– **Summary of the Research Study:**
Provide a summary of the chosen research article, including its purpose, hypothesis, research questions, methods used (e.g., qualitative or quantitative approach), and key findings. This will require reading the article in detail and extracting essential information to convey the study’s scope and outcomes.
– **Agreement with Conclusions:**
Evaluate whether you agree with the conclusions drawn by the researchers based on their findings. This involves critically assessing the study’s methodology, data analysis, and interpretation of results.
– **Unanswered Questions:**
Discuss any lingering questions or areas for further investigation that arise from the study. This could include methodological limitations, gaps in knowledge, or implications for future research directions in family science.
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For both assignments, it’s essential to integrate relevant citations and adhere to any formatting guidelines provided by your instructor. If you have specific sources or topics in mind for these assignments, let me know how I can assist further!
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