Part 1
From the final project, I learned that the public transit system in Washington D.C. is currently facing a wide array of challenges impacting commuters in a significant way, creating the need for well-structured solutions. Additionally, I learned that it would be necessary for the leadership to come up with a policy framework that seeks to establish a clear front through which to ensure that the issues affecting public transportation are dealt with effectively.
The biggest challenge that I faced when completing the project was finding relevant information that I would include as part of the project. I intended to create an evidence-based plan that focused on relevant evidence touching on the issue of discussion. However, finding evidence pertinent to include as part of the project was a key challenge. Another fundamental problem was in the presentation of data in a manner that would be effective to pass the message along.
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The first type of problem that was addressed by the story maps I examined was a problem in public transportation, specifically focusing on the commuter system within Washington, D.C. The second type of problem that was addressed by the story maps I examined revolved around the issue of housing, which was a vital issue of concern, taking into account that housing affordability has reduced significantly. The story maps provided information that sought to suggest that the United States was facing a key challenge in dealing with transportation and housing.
The first group that benefited from my final project is Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), which is an agency mandated with managing transportation within Washington D.C. The second group that would benefit from my final project is the U.S. Census Bureau, which would use the information gathered towards determining the housing crisis that the country is facing.
Part 2
The primary skill that I gained from SOCU 301 reflected upon the ability to design and conduct surveys and experiments. The course provided me with knowledge about what I ought to expect when designing and conducting investigations on social life, which I believe I am ready to apply as part of my professional experience.
The connection between social research and social problems is that the use of social research plays a critical role in solving some of the social issues. Social issues can be examined in a somewhat useful way through different social research approaches as a way of trying to find viable solutions.
The first step into breaking down a social issue before the research is conducted is creating a research question that must be based on the issue at hand. It is expected that the researcher would use his/her knowledge in social research to create a research question that he/she will seek to answer as part of the study.
The connection between research, data, and the media can be seen from the fact that the media finds itself in a position where it ought to present data that is well researched. To determine whether the media is portraying factual information, it is essential to consider whether the media sources provide or highlight their sources of information.
The connection between communication and research/data is that all research information and data ought to be communicated to the populations that are affected in a manner that would be of value towards highlighting the solutions to a specific social issue. For the researcher, communication is essential, as it aids in building a positive avenue for engagement with society on the social aspect.
The one thing that I learned from this class that surprised me was as a consumer of social research, it was my duty towards ensuring that I make sense of reports from sociological findings. This surprised me because I believed that news outlets were only expected to use information that was accurate and correct.
