HHS4MI – Social Sciences Inquiry Method and Theoretical Perspectives:
The Family – Issue Analysis
Summative Assignment – Instructions, Resources and Assessment
Instructions: In groups of 4 people, you will choose a topic that you are interested in form the list provided related
to common issues dealt with in the family. Find the following information in relation to the topic you chose.
1. Background Information: What are the main background points of this issue? Summarize and explain how
this issue specifically relates to our study of the family.
2. For and Against: Identify two opposing sides/viewpoints of the issue. For each of the viewpoints, your
group is responsible for providing some brief information which supports that side of the issue.
3. Social Science Analysis: In three short paragraphs, explain how this issue would be examined by the
perspective of a sociologist, anthropologist and a psychologist – use the course notes and your own research
to complete this step.
4. Social Science Inquiry – follow the steps below to complete the Social Science Inquiry Method –
a. Identify the problem –
i. Devise a research question based on your topic that you would like answered throughout this
research process. Your research question should establish a cause and effect connection – i.e.
one issue/variable occurs because of another variable. Use the Durkheim study as a guide of
how to do this properly.
b. Develop a hypothesis –
i. Develop a hypothesis that considers a possible explanation for your question. In other words,
what possible explanation would you give for the cause of this issue? This is your own
educated opinion – you should do some research to help you find an educated opinion.
c. Gather Data/Primary Research –
i. Provide details of who your sample group would if you were going to conduct your research
and why they are an appropriate sample group.
ii. List 5 major questions that you would include on a survey that could be distributed in order to
collect data. Your survey should address the appropriate issues – make sure that your
questions are directly related to the topic/research question you have chosen.
iii. Explain what information you would expect to gain from each question.
iv. Case Study: Find a case study that addresses your issue in some way. It must be a real life
example and can be an international case. Look in your textbook or on the internet.
5. Theory Analysis: Select one of the theoretical perspectives discussed in class. Use information from your
background information, your for and against points, and your case study that will help you to apply specific
points of the theory you selected.
6. Presentation: You will present all of this information to the entire class. This will take place through a
PowerPoint presentation. Make sure to save your presentation on a USB disk. See me if you need one.
There is no access to the internet in the portable. Make sure that you are ready to present on the day selected
– it will be done by random draw. If your group is not prepared when called, your presentation mark will
suffer. Date of Presentation: ________________________________________________
7. Hand In: Print out the slides of your PowerPoint presentation and hand them in before your group presents.
Also, hand in one copy of the rubric per group.
Resources:
You will have 2 library/computer periods in which work on this assignment. Here is a list of some resources that can
be consulted in order to help you gather information and analysis.
 Opposing Viewpoints – link from the library
 Statistics Canada
database – on the school network
 Vanier Institute of the Family
 www.idebate.org
 Social trends Website
Assessment:
Criteria/Levels
50-59%
Level 1
Limited
Evidence
60-69%
Level 2
Some
Evidence
70-79%
Level 3
Considerable
Evidence
80-100%
Level 4
Through
Evidence
Knowledge/Understanding - Content
(What you know)
Answers showed
limited
understanding of
facts, terms and
concepts
Answers
showed some
understanding
of facts, terms
and concepts
Answers showed
considerable
understanding of
facts terms and
concepts
Answers showed
thorough
understanding of
facts terms and
concepts
Problem-solving
skills were applied
with limited
effectiveness
Solving skills
were applied
with limited
effectiveness
Problem-solving
skills were
applied with
considerable
effectiveness
Problem solving
skills were
applied with high
degree of
effectiveness
Analysis and
interpretation was
weak
Analysis and
interpretation
was satisfactory
Analysis and
interpretation was
effective
Analysis and
interpretation was
strong
Problem-solving
skills were applied
with limited
effectiveness
Solving skills
were applied
with limited
effectiveness
Problem-solving
skills were
applied with
considerable
effectiveness
Problem solving
skills were
applied with high
degree of
effectiveness
Analysis and
interpretation was
weak
Analysis and
interpretation
was satisfactory
Analysis and
interpretation was
effective
Analysis and
interpretation was
strong
Ability to make
conclusions,
predictions and
connections was
limited in
effectiveness
Ability to make
conclusions,
predictions and
connections was
moderately
effective
Ability to make
conclusions,
predictions and
connections was
effective
Insightful
conclusions,
predictions,
and/or
connections were
made
Explanation of key terms - using examples and evidence to
back up your understanding of each item


Background Information #1
For and Against the Issue - including
explanation #2
Thinking and Inquiry – Process
(How you know it)
Relation of each specific term to broader topics and issues
within the course
 Social Science Inquiry #4 a, b, c
Communication – Writing/Organization
(How you express what you know)





Presentation #6
Proper tone and voice level
Slides were appropriate and visible
Eye contact – did not just read info from slides
Able to explain info in own words and using
examples
 Hand In Slides and Rubric #7
 Spelling, Grammar
 Sentence Structure
Entire
 Language
Assignment
 Organization
 Completion
Application – Final Product/Making Connections
and Conclusions
(How you use what you know)
Connections made between topic and APS perspectives
discussed in class


Social Science Analysis #3
Theory Application and Analysis #5
Comments: