Be Informed The Research Process (Part 1 of 3)

PUEO P5: Participation in Democracy Culminating Project

Introduction: One member of each group will create a Google Document, which will then be
shared with other group members. Within the Google Document, students will contribute as equally
as possible while conducting inquiry. The five areas of inquiry are listed below (additional
details provided in the Project Directions).
1. Identifying and describing a current problem.
2. Identifying, analyzing, and assessing current solutions in place both in Hawaii as well as in
other areas of the United States/rest of the world that have faced a similar issue; comparing
and contrasting each solutions respective strengths and weaknesses while taking into account
context.
3. Developing a practical, research-driven real world solution (something that we can do now)
based upon an evaluation of all research findings and taking into account context.
4. Describing the process of formally enacting your solution as public policy; explaining the
transformation from a practical solution to a true public policy; listing the steps necessary and
identifying the appropriate individuals/organizations pertinent to the process.
5. Identifying and describing critics and analyzing their respective arguments (counterarguments)
against your solution; justifying why the positive change that will be generated as a result of
your public policy outweighs the critics various arguments (i.e. better for the common good).

Requirements: Last summer as a P4 scholar you were introduced to and participated in the
research process. Lets look at the requirements from last year and then compare them to the
requirements for this portion of your Culminating Project this year (see next page)

P4: Research Paper Requirements

(2014)

P5: Research Requirements

(2015)
(2014)

This is a persuasive argumentative research

paper that illustrates why your decade is the
greatest. (Not a biography on a famous person
who was born then)

Thesis statement is required and will be written

first so that you are clear in what you are going
to prove

Organize your information with a detailed

outline which includes formulating topic
sentences and supporting facts (Use complete
grammar-free sentences throughout your
outline)

This project also requires you to develop a

persuasive argument. You will illustrate that
participation in our democracy matters - society
would be improved if your issue/problem is
eased/solved.
Your thesis statement will be your groups
response to the Driving Question. Just like a
thesis statement, it summarizes your position.
For our project, this will be developed later
and is not required as part of the research
process.
You will use outline form (bullet-points, etc)
to display your research findings. All groups
must record their outline (research findings) in a
shared Google Document that is organized by
section. Your groups Google Document will be
shared with your teachers so that we can offer
feedback i.e. suggestions, providing
assistance, and sharing ideas with your group.

Minimum of three (3) sources with at least

one (1) print source.

Each group is required to utilize and cite (using

proper MLA citation) at least two sources per
area of inquiry = a minimum of 10 sources
total. At least two of these sources must be
primary sources.

Must have two (2) in-text, parenthetical

citations.

In-text MLA format parenthetical citation is

required for ALL research findings in the
outline.

MLA-formatted Works Cited page.

A separate Works Cited page should be at the

end of your Google Document. In order to
organize, preserve, and correctly cite sources,
all students will create and use an EasyBib
account

Lets sum up the requirements for this part of the Culminating Project:
Your first job is to create a Google Document and then share it with your group members and your
teachers. In total, your group will utilize a minimum of 10 sources, at least 3 of which will be primary
sources. You will create a working Works Cited page at the end of your Google Document that is
separate from the rest of your research, citing all sources used in MLA format (do this as you find and
use them). You will sign up for and utilize EasyBib.com in order to ensure that your sources are cited
correctly and saved (just in case). Within the actual outline in your Google Document, all sources must
be cited in text using MLA format parenthetical citation.

I have created an example Google Document that has been shared with all
students to utilize as a reference pertaining to formatting, citations, etc
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Directions: Below are Guiding Questions to help you and your group frame this investigation.
Lets get to it!

Guiding Questions for Research

Area of Inquiry #1: Identifying and describing a current problem.
1. Describe a specific problem/issue
-

Where is it occurring?
Who or what is currently impacted by the problem? How so?
- Take great care to explore ALL perspectives (both sides of the argument)
Who or what is causing the problem?
Why is this a problem (who considers this a problem)?

2. Describe the nature of the problem/issue

-

Is this a social problem? How so?

Economic problem?
Political problem?
Technological problem?
Is the problem a combination of a few of these factors? Explain.

3. Describe the history/background of the problem

-

Has this been an issue in Hawaiis past?

- Describe when, where, etc
- Was the nature of the problem then similar to the nature of them problem today?
- If so, how EXACTLY was it handled?
- How effective were these prior solutions?
In terms of the current problem, identify and describe its root causes.

Example: If your problem/issue is the Sit-Lie Law in Honolulu, begin to trace the issue backwards. The

law was passed because large numbers of homeless individuals were resting/sleeping in public areas
of Waikiki and Chinatown. From this point, you might explore deeper into why the homeless had to
sleep in these areas and not a shelter instead OR you might research the reasons why people are
homeless in Honolulu in the first place. The goal is to keep going! Your eventual solution will be
aimed at this root cause.
4. What will happen if the problem is not addressed?
-

Projections, trends, data, statistics.?

Narratives (individuals talking about their current situation)
Describe what will happen to each group of people involved in the problem.

5. Synthesize all of your findings- Why should we CARE; why does your issue/problem MATTER?

Area of Inquiry #2: Examining current solutions.

1. What public policies, laws, or actions are now being utilized in Hawaii that address this
problem/issue?
-

Assess local solutions (both policy/laws and organizations)

- Identify what type of solution it is (a current law or policy, a volunteer effort by
individuals or through an organization such as a non-profit, etc)
- Describe its purpose/how it works
- Explain its effectiveness both strengths and weaknesses.

2. What public policies, laws, or actions are now being utilized other parts of the United States
that face a similar problem?
-

Describe the context and scope of the problem how is it similar/different from the
problem in Hawaii?
Assess the respective solutions
- Identify what type of solution it is (a current law or policy, a volunteer effort by
individuals or through an organization such as a non-profit, etc)
- Describe its purpose/how it works
- Explain its effectiveness both strengths and weaknesses.

3. Compare and contrast the local and non-local solutions:

- Which solutions have been most effective? Describe the strengths of these
solutions.
- Which solutions have had the least impact/success? Describe the weaknesses of
these solutions.

Area of Inquiry #3: Developing a real-world solution*

1. What can we do TODAY (how can we act) to help alleviate/ease/solve this problem?
NOTE: Raising awareness does not solve a problem it just makes people conscious that a problem
exists. Our learning this summer informs us that we cannot simply create and implement a new law or
public policy overnight our democracy does not work in this manner. The purpose for this area of
inquiry is to use your previous research findings in order to develop the first steps required to address
this issue. What is something that we can all get behind immediately?

Review the solutions that you have already evaluated; is there a specific
individual or group that is significant? This individual or group should be
directly connected in some way, shape, or form to your specific problem.
Describe the manner that we (your audience) can assist (donations,
volunteerism, writing letters, etc)?
Explain how this practical solution will improve the problem/issue, and to what
extent (be specific)?

*** Do you need ideas about how we can act (as part of real-world solution)? Ive put a few
general ideas on the PART 1 Tab of our class website. Give it a look perhaps you can mold
one of these to fit your specific issue or problem.

Area of Inquiry #4: Highlighting the journey from an idea to public policy.
1. Describe the evolution of your solution from practical to proposed law or policy
-

Research-driven solution; based upon evidence of the strengths and

weaknesses in other solutions.
How and to what extent will your solution address the ROOT CAUSE of the issue
(as you see it)?
How does your solution incorporate the strengths of previous policies; what
makes this solution unique?

2. Describe the process formally enacting your solution as law/public policy

-

List the steps necessary is logical order (how does a bill become a law?)
Identify the appropriate individuals/organizations pertinent to the process.
(Be specific!)

Area of Inquiry #5: Evaluating counter-arguments in order to validate your

groups perspective.
1. Identify and describe those who do not stand to benefit from your policy suggestion.
-

If your policy were to pass, what types of people/groups would be impacted

negatively?
In what manner does this policy stand to impact these people/groups
negatively?
Justify your solution by identifying and describing how the positive
change/impact that will be generated as a result outweighs the critics various
arguments