2. Investigate one of the issues identified by the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences as critical issues to the profession:

One component of a successful society is an economic environment which mutually benefits consumers and business interests. Examples of issues affecting this interdependence include: employer-employee relationship, transition to the service economy, developing human capital, job satisfaction, consumer satisfaction, appropriate products and services, credit card usage, and partnerships and alliances with business and industry.

Shaping Viable Communities for a Sustainable Society

Healthy communities are vital for sustaining a successful society. Utilizing current research and analysis on societal conditions, access and quality of services, and the development of viable systems helps to empower communities. Examples of issues affecting community well being include: quality preparation and education for life; family skills and the workforce; employment opportunities; community infrastructure; moral and ethical issues; civic responsibility; youth development programs; volunteerism; environmental stewardship; community safety; quality schools; transportation systems; housing availability; health, child, and dependent care; food safety; transportation systems; housing availability; recreational opportunities; and celebration of cultural strengths and diversity

Family stability significantly contributes to a successful society. Examples of issues affecting family stability include: safe secure nurturing environment; poverty; homelessness; job availability and security; ethics, moral behavior, and personal responsibility; access to resources; support systems; communications; family strengths; resiliency; parenting responsibility; dependent care; and violence.

An increasing aging population is significantly influencing social policy. Examples of issues affected by this trend include: design of buildings, housing and clothing; attitudes about aging; care giving; financial management; caring for aging family members; health care system responsiveness; political influence; volunteerism; Medicare and Social Security; accessible and affordable housing; grand parenting; recreational and leisure activity; susceptibility to fraud; hospice care; independent living; diet and disease; economic security; safety; finding meaning; transportation; and availability to shopping and community resources.

3. Present an oral report on one of the AAFCS critical issues in which you summarize and report to other members of the class:

	various dimensions of the issue investigated
	various viewpoints regarding the issue
	proposed resolution of the issue
	implications for one's future professional role, and/or
	implications for the professional preparation of future family and consumer science graduates

	one or more research trends related to your subject matter specialization or your present or future professional role
	implications for future research
	implications for the professional preparation of subject matter specialists or of professional role specialists

5. Present in appropriate term paper format the body of research and findings related to the specific research trend investigated.

6. Summarize and report to the other members of the class the findings emanating from your investigation of the research trend selected, implications drawn for future research and the professional preparati6n of future specialists.

7. Evaluate research.

8. Evaluate professional literature.

9. Synthesize trends and issues.

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. ABSTRACTS (24% of grade) present to class.

	Write an abstract for an article on each of the trends identified in course object 1. Seven (7) abstracts.
	FORMAT See Page 4 for a more precise format description): abstract is to be one page on one side only for each article and to include:
	your reaction to major point(s) made by author bibliographical data summary of article trends described in article issues identified or implied by author(s)
	Attach copy of article to abstract.
	Discuss the article in class.

2. ORAL PRESENTATION/REPORT ON AAFCS CRITICAL ISSUE (See course objective 2 for the four issues identified for priority). (30% total grade)

Present an oral report to the class of approximately 20 minutes duration on one issue selected from the priority issues identified by AAFCS.

Identify issue, present facts and findings, identify the implications of these findings to your future professional role and future preparation of family and consumer science graduates.

Receive approval of topic and detailed outline of presentation and a reference list from professor of course two weeks prior to your scheduled presentation.

3. WRITTEN REPORT ON RESEARCH/PROBLEM/ISSUE RELATED TO STUDENTS FIELD OF STUDY. (29% total grade). (NOTE: THIS PAPER IS THE DEPARTMENT'S SECOND WRITING EXAMINATION.)

	A. Elect one of the following to pursue for written research:
	Review of research and/or literature related to prospective thesis or field study. Review of research related to specific problems germane to your area of subject matter specialization and identify research trends, findings, and issues Review of literature and/or research pertaining to your present and/or future professional role to a specific problem.
	B. The report is to include:
	Statement of purpose. Findings regarding research related to subject" matter area or professional role Implications for future research Implications for future home economists specializing in a selected subject matter area or preparing for a specific professional role. Bibliography

4. ORAL REPORT RELATED TO SUBJECT MATTER SPECIALIZATION (This is the oral presentation of the written paper in Assignment 3.) (15% of total grade)

	Present all oral report to class, approximately 20-30 minutes in duration, regarding subject matter area, professional role, or prospective M.A. thesis if field study (see 2 above).
	Provide instructor with detailed outline of the report and a reference list on the day of the presentation.

5. CLASS PARTICIPATION AND STUDENT CONTRIBUTIONS TO DISCUSSIONS OF ABSTRACTS AND ORAL PRESENTATION WILL BE PART OF FINAL GRADE. (7% total grade)

6. FINAL: take home - essay questions related to: (10% of total grade)

	Summary of trends and issues pertaining to the family in present day society and society of the future
	Implications regarding competencies needed by contemporary and future consumer family scientists.
	Implications regarding the professional preparation of present day and future consumer family scientists.

GLOSSARY*

Implication - that which is implied, especially; an indirect indication; an inference.

Imply - to involve or suggest by logical necessity; to say or express indirectly; to hint; to suggest.

Infer- to conclude from evidence; deduce; to have as a logical consequence. Inference - the act or process of inferring. Something inferred.

Issue - a point of discussion; debate or dispute; a matter of wide public concern; the essential point; crux; a culmination point leading to a decision.

Trend - a direction of movement; a course; flow; a general inclination or tendency.

*The American Heritage Dictionary. New York: American Heritage Publishing Company

 

CFS 700 - Trends and Issues in Consumer Family Science:

Graduate Seminar Form for Abstracts

Complete Citation: Author (last name, first). Title of Article. Name of Journal, Year, Volume page.

Purpose of Study: Briefly state the purpose of the research, perhaps by indication the question of hypothesis the research was supposed to address.

Study Design and Methodology: Describe the pattern of design followed by the research worker in organizing his study.

	From what subjects were data collected? How were these subjects chosen? What population are they alleged to represent?
	How were data collected? That is, by what method(s) did the researcher gather information?

Research Results: How were the data analyzed in order to extract an answer to the research question? List types of statistics used.

What were the principle findings of the research?

Conclusion and Interpretations: On the basis of the results, what answer is given to the research question? What light is shed on the problem to which the study is addressed?

Critique and Comments: In this section, give your own evaluation and criticism of the study. To what extent was its purpose fulfilled? Did the research raise any questions in your mind? Was the report written clearly? Etc.

 

CHECKLIST FOR EVALUATION OF RESEARCH

QUESTIONS	YES	NO	CANNOT DETERMINE
PROBLEM
Is the problem studied of significance?
Are the hypotheses or objectives clearly defined?
Are the hypotheses or objectives consistent with facts?
Beliefs? Theory?
Are the variables studied carefully defined?
SAMPLE
Are the characteristics of the sampling unit identified?
Is the sample size specified and adequate?
Is the method for sample selection explained?
Is number of respondents given?
DATA COLLECTION TECHNIQUE
Is evidence of validity provided?
Is reliability data available?
Is the level adequate?
Are measurement data objective?
ANALYSIS METHODS
Are statistical techniques appropriate for the data analyzed?
INTERPRETATION
Are conclusions drawn consistent with data presented?
Are conclusions limited to the group from which the sample was drawn?

If you have questions or comments about any of the material contained in this web, please e-mail Janet Schrock at janets@sfsu.edu.   This page was last updated  Thursday, January 24, 2002.