Final Paper outline

[varvel]

Hi @JasonSills - I noticed there are some differences in the order and outline of the final paper between the full instructions and the grading rubric at the end. I assume it doesn't really matter which order we follow, but the grading rubric outline appears to follow the order of the weekly steps submitted. The full instructions appear to include some additional items (treatment effects, literature review). Can you please clarify the expectations for the final submission? Thanks.

Detailed Instructions:

PART 1A – Program Overview PART 1B – Theory of Change PART 2 – Evaluation Design 2A – Measurement of the Outcome 2B – The Estimator 2C – Construction of the Counterfactual 2D – Study Timeframe 2E – Treatment Effects PART 3 – Justification for your Proposed Design 3A – Literature Review 3B – Justify your Design Decisions PART 4 – Threats to Validity • Campbell Scores

Grading Rubric:

Part 1 – cover page Part 2 – outcome measure • Identification of appropriate latent construct • Justification • Proper citation of reliability Part 3 – theory of change • Coherent theory of change • Quality of the diagram • Explanation of assumptions Part 4 – model and competing hypotheses • Explanation of the counterfactual • Diagram of expectations • Justification of the design • Campbell Scores

[JasonSills]

@varvel ,

Sorry for the confusion, the grading rubric is the more complete and best to use. Note that there is some potential for overlap here. For example, a literature review could still be included in the justification or even theory of change section if you would like to include it. I do believe the grading rubric does a better job of what we've covered this summer, so that is the best framework for you to use. This is what I'll use to grade the final paper.

[varvel]

Sounds good. It will be easier to follow the rubric outline rather than reorganizing the steps. Thanks

[JAHirsh]

Hi Professor,

This might be a silly question, but if we have been doing our project parts each week, is it okay to use them verbatim in the final project, or do we need to reword them in order to not plagiarize our own work?

Thanks! Jessica

[JasonSills]

@JAHirsh

You can use them to the extent you feel is proper. I would think of them as a first draft, but if yours were more of a final draft you can use them directly in the final project. You will want to double check against the grading rubric in the final project instructions.

[JAHirsh]

Thanks for the super fast reply! I have a good deal of refining/reworking to do, but there are pieces here and there that I might want to use as is, so this is very helpful.