Population Studies Report Writing: Research Questions and Guidelines

Report Outline

Task

Assessment description:

Students are required to write an approximately 2,000 to 2,500 word report based on one of two research questions. The report should be your own original work, and should demonstrate your ability to analyse real-world research questions.

Marks will be awarded for application of Population Studies techniques and concepts, depth of research and analysis, critical thought, clarity of communication and referencing.

The research report consists of two stages; a two page Report Outline (Due 5pm Friday 15 May) and a Final Report (Due 5pm Friday 5 June).

Report Outline : Due to COVID-19 interruptions, deadline extended to 5pm Friday 12 May. Submission via Moodle

Choose ONE research question from the two research questions posted below, read the ‘Kickstart’ reading for your question on Moodle (in the Kickstart folder), and write 2 pages (excluding references) outlining your full report. This should clearly state which question you have selected, the main issues you plan to explore, and any extra details, such as methods or data sources identified.  You should structure your outline with headings, sub-headings and you can write your key points as bullet-points. You do not need to include figures or tables.

Individual feedback will be given on each student’s outline, and marks will be awarded based on depth of understanding of the research question and planning (for more detail see the marking schedule on Moodle).

The objective is to ensure that you understand the assignment and are prepared for your final report.

Full report : Due to COVID-19 interruptions, deadline extended to 5pm Friday 15 may. Submission via Moodle

In 2,000 to 2,500 words, prepare a report on your chosen research question. A guideline to structuring the report is included below. Students are encouraged to adapt the questions to suit their interests, and to introduce skills for population analysis from Population Studies and other papers they have taken if appropriate, while maintaining the Population Studies and Demography focus.

The objectives are for you to:

• demonstrate your ability to understand and communicate concepts from Population Studies

• develop a structured, issues-based, audience-oriented approach to writing

• Experience a similar scenario to what may be required in your future workplace

Research questions

Students should select ONE of the following research questions to form the basis of their report. Students are encouraged to develop the questions provided here to suit their interests, and detail this in their report outline. The question should be answered drawing on a range of Population Studies fields of study, not just demography.

Questions :-

1. New Zealand has one of the highest fertility rates in the developed world, at the same time as being one of the ‘low fertility’ countries. Drawing on one or more of the five main low fertility theories (Rational Actor; Risk Aversion; Post-Materialist; Gender Equity; and the Low Fertility Trap), deliberate on why New Zealand’s fertility is the level it is, and what the implications may be for us as a country. You do not need to cover all five theories. Make sure that you distinguish between M?ori fertility and national New Zealand fertility. [Kick Start - McDonald 2000]

2. How could immigration policy be altered to better protect migrants from exploitation? Defend your answer and explain what would be the consequences, intended and unintended, of your proposed policy. Be sure to differentiate between the impacts of PLT and temporary migration. Remember this is not an opinion piece – you need to link argument, theory and evidence. [Kick start – Bedford et al. 2005]. 

Full Report structure and guidelines:

Report structure

The following structure is a guideline, and students may adapt it to suit their report:

Title page: including title, author, student ID and course number (POPS201-19A)

Introduction: summarizing the report, including research question and findings.

Background/ literature review: Explore the background and evidence relating to your research question. Use sub-headings. This is a good place to cite your readings.

Findings: Sections/s exploring the issues/ implications. Use sub-headings. Present and discuss your results or findings for each of the issues you identified in your Background/Literature review section. Marks will be awarded for engaging with key issues and critical analysis.

Conclusion: Summarise your report and findings.