Assignment: Write a paper comparing the research designs of Four peer-reviewed journal articles on a topic of your previous annotated bibliography choice. The four articles must all examine the same topic, but they may do so in different ways. Limit the paper to 3.5 pages not including the required title page and reference list. Use 12 point Times New Roman font, double space formatting, with 1 inch margins, and Truabian or Chicago Style Reference List formatting for all citations. The title page will include a descriptive title, your name, the date and the class designation approximately in the center of the page. Listed below are the elements that will be included in your paper along with an explanation of each section. If you fail to include all sections you will not receive full credit. While this paper follows the general style of a social science research paper, the focus is on comparing the designs of your selected studies. ( discuss all article together instead of separating them) Paper Contents: 1. Introduction – briefly introduce your topic. State why the question is of interest and include how long it has been studied. 2. Research Design (RD) Literature Review – Identify the research designs used by your studies. What do these types of design mean for causality and the observed score? In terms of other research on this topic, are these good designs or are they lacking? What should be made of any findings coming from the RD for these studies? This discussion must include: a. Time Order – In all of your studies identify how they addressed the issue of time (one of the needed steps in determining causation). b. Unit of Analysis (U/A) – Identify the unit of analysis in all of your studies. Why did the authors focus on that specific U/A, and is this U/A the most appropriate? Finally, identify the study that used the best U/A for your topic. c. Dependent Variable (DV) – In your studies, identify the dependent variable(s). Identify the study that used the best DV for your topic and why it is the best DV. d. Independent Variable (IV) – Identify the independent variable(s). Also, identify the study that used the best IV for your topic. e. Control Variables (CV) – In all of your studies identify the control variables. Also, identify the study that did the best job using CVs. 3. Methods: a. Sample Design (SD) – In all of your studies identify the sample design. How was the sample obtained? Does any error enter the study based on the SD? Discuss the generalizability of your studies samples? b. Data Design (DD) – In all of your studies identify how the data was designed/obtained. Does any error enter the study based on the DD? 4. Discussion – Examine the impact of the articles on the topic. This must include the strengths and weaknesses of the RD. 5. Conclusion/Next Step – First, briefly conclude your paper with a focus on what the studies add to the general knowledge on your topic. Finally, offer suggestions for further research. – In text citations (Author name(s), Date, page number(s)) – Reference list, alphabetized by main author’s last name

Description The Final Essay should define a problem, the current policy associated with that problem, and the real word implications of the problem and policy. Then you must propose a policy change that will address the problem. You should propose an achievable and equitable solution – no pie-in-the-sky proposals! Instead, be creative but realistic, and think about innovative solutions already proposed. The essay should be between 1750 – 2000 words and should include clear knowledge of course readings/podcasts related to the topic as well as other sources. It should have in-text citations and a reference list in APA format where appropriate. Quotations should only be used when necessary. The essay should also have an introductory and concluding paragraph. Paragraphs should always be at least 3 sentences and preferably more. Clear, concise writing is an important skill; this assignment is meant to give you practice in critical writing and problem-solving in a forum where you integrate your ideas with the readings and lectures