Learning Goals
Students will be able to formulate a focused statistical investigative question about a real community issue connected to Catholic Social Teaching by identifying a population, variables, and the evidence needed to investigate it.
Students will be able to distinguish a census, an observational study, and an experiment used to investigate a community issue by analyzing how data are obtained.
Students will be able to explain the defining role of treatment assignment in an experiment involving experimental units and a population of interest.
Students will be able to evaluate evidence from censuses, experiments, observational studies, and credible sources about a Catholic Social Teaching issue by examining methodological fit, credibility, limitations, and conflicting findings.
Students will be able to synthesize research findings and Catholic Social Teaching principles into a supported conclusion and realistic response to a community issue.
Students will be able to reflect on and communicate how research, peer dialogue, and counterevidence change their understanding of a community issue and Catholic Social Teaching.
Products
Catholic Social Teaching Community-Issue Research Paper
Each student will submit a research paper and investigation record that develops a statistical question, distinguishes and evaluates relevant census, experimental, and observational evidence, explains treatment assignment, applies Catholic Social Teaching, proposes a realistic response, and incorporates weekly reflections and revisions. The paper will document credible sources, conflicting evidence, methodological limitations, and the student's independently supported conclusions.
Community Research Symposium Study-Design Brief and Presentation
Teams will synthesize members' independent research into a public study-design brief and symposium presentation that compares a census, observational study, and ethical experiment—including treatment assignment—then defends a shared evidence-based response grounded in Catholic Social Teaching. Team members will address conflicting findings and limitations, facilitate empathetic audience dialogue, and explain how collaboration, feedback, and reflection changed their conclusions.
No rubric has been generated yet.