APPLICATION ASSIGNMENT #2
DUE: SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6 by 10:00 pm ET Purpose: The purpose of this Application Assignment is to provide a written analysis of the questions and process of the survey that you did for Application Assignment #1. You will look for problems with the questions themselves and in the process that you used to conduct the survey. Skills: In this assignment you will practice the following skills that are essential to your success in this course, in school, and in life generally: 1. Reviewing the work of other people 2. Analyzing content of questions 3. Analyzing the survey process that you used in the survey 4. Summarizing information and presenting your analysis in written format Knowledge: This assignment will help you to become familiar with the following content knowledge: 1. Survey question drafting 2. Proper survey process ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Task: Step 1. Review the five questions and the process that you used for the survey from Application Assignment #1. Step 2. Analyze what (if anything) was wrong with each one of the five questions. In this analysis, describe, using proper terminology, the problems you discover (such as double-barreled question, etc.). You do not need to repeat the actual question in your paper. Just describe what was wrong with it. In your description, it is okay to a few words of part of the question, but don’t write out the full question in your paper. That takes up space that you need for your analysis. Then rewrite each of the questions in a better format, following proper survey question drafting methods. Finally, describe why you feel your revisions are better than the original questions, again, using proper terminology. So, this part of the analysis should be in paragraph format where you take each question one by one and using proper terminology: a. Analyze the problems with the wording in that question; b. Tell me what your rewritten question would be; and c. Describe why you feel your revisions are better than in the original question. Step 3. Next, review the survey process you used (who you asked, how you chose them, etc.). Analyze what was wrong with the process you used. In this analysis, use proper terminology of issues with the process you used (such as lack of a representative sample, etc.). Then, taking into consideration your reading, particularly chapter 6, and the hand-outs we went over in class, and our classroom exercise, discuss what type of process should have been used in order to “fix” the problems of the survey process that you used. Make sure you use proper terminology to describe how and why you set up the process the way you did to fix the problems.
So, this part of the analysis should be in paragraph format where you walk through the survey process and using proper terminology: a. Analyze the problems with the process you used in the survey; and b. Set out a survey process that will fix the problems with the original survey process. Step 4. Upload your Application Assignment to Canvas by the due date and time. Technical Paper Requirements: 1. Your paper will be at least four and not more than five pages double-spaced — no more, no less, including your revised survey questions. (Please do not add extra space before or after paragraphs – use true double spacing). I know this will be hard. I expect you to plan, ponder, write, rewrite, review, rewrite, rewrite, rewrite (you get the picture). This assignment could easily be much more than four to five pages long. I want you to write effectively, efficiently, succinctly, and well. That is why I have put a page limit. You will have many times in life where you must say what you want and need to say in a limited space. This will help you practice doing so. 2. Do not use a title page. On the first line just put Application Assignment #2 and your name. Then go right into your paper. DO NOT put the course, date, my name, or other things at the top of the first page. In other words, the beginning of your paper should look like this: Application Paper #2 Scott Lee For this assignment I have analyzed the survey questions and process used for Application Assignment #1. . . . (And off you go.) 3. You should have a short introductory paragraph (starting with a sentence like the one above). Then have separate paragraphs for each of the five questions in your analysis. You should then have one or more paragraphs analyzing the process that you used. End with a conclusion (concluding paragraph.) 3. Use 12 point Calibri (or another sans serif) font. Times New Roman (the font in this sentence) is an example of a serif font. Don’t use a serif font. 4. Use one inch margins all around. 5. Use only Word, Pages, or pdf format. 6. Your paper should follow these instructions, be well written, and organized. Please make sure you check for things such as typos, proper grammar, punctuation, and spelling. You will lose points for those types of mistakes. I want to help you not only learn the material in the class but to also become better writers. You may want to check with the writing center here on campus for help. We visited their office on the first day of class. They have assured me they are willing and able to help you. You should plan on writing and then revising your paper (maybe multiple times) to make sure it says what you think it says and what you actually want it to say before you submit it. (For comparison purposes, when I write papers, I never have less than seven or eight major revisions, and sometimes many more than that.) Recognize that they may need some time to review your work so don’t send it to them and expect results in 30 minutes. Happy analyzing and writing!