Effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on racial minority groups in the US

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FAM SERV 1140
Learning Assignment #2
Learning assignment #2 is a research-based assignment that will focus on investigating effects, consequences,
implications, etc. of the Covid-19 pandemic on racial minority groups in the US. Given the severity this
worldwide pandemic, its continued presence in our lives, and the topic of this course, it seems remiss to not
address it. The body of knowledge is still accumulating, but there is information available, and this assignment
will provide student(s) with the opportunity to practice important skills related to finding information (e.g.,
investigation), evaluating the sources of information, and comparing/contrasting various sources to evaluate the
data/information being provided (e.g., what information be reported appears similar, what appears different,
why?).
Ø You will gather scholarly information focused on exploring the effects, consequences, implications, etc. of
the Covid-19 pandemic. Your investigation should focus on how the pandemic has impacted individuals,
families, and communities differently—with specific attention paid to racial minority groups in the US.
But, this may also extend to other groups of people impacted disproportionally (e.g., women, LGBTQ,
lower SES) and may also extend internationally (e.g., India).
Ø I have provided six questions/prompts below to guide your investigation. However, this is not an inclusive
list of questions. I encourage you to formulate (and investigate) additional questions you are interested to
learn about (or think is important for others to know).
Ø As you are investigating and finding information, you will compile a table of information. This is an
annotated bibliography of sorts. You are not “writing” a structured research-type of paper. But, you must
make sure to link the information with the source/reference (i.e., citation information).
Ø You will likely need to pull specific information from certain articles/reports to answer the questions. You
can put the information in exact quotes or you can summarize in your own words.
Ø Lastly, you will need to evaluate the data/information. For example, asking yourself questions (and
answering them) such as (a) is this a credible source–why/why not, (b) what do you notice about the
data/information being provided (e.g., is it preliminary, controlled study, etc. ) (c) where does the
data/information come from (e.g., state, local, national), (d) does the information match/contradict other
information you found, etc.
Ø You must organize your information into a table. Here is an example of the annotated notes (it is only a
start… but you should get the gist):
Questions What I found Source Evaluation/Credibility
Define health disparity and
economic disparity
“Health disparities are the
inequalities that occur in the
provision of healthcare and
access to healthcare across different
racial, ethnic and socioeconomic
groups.” By Dr. Anaya Mandal, MD
Mandal, Ananya. (2019,February 26). What are
Health Disparities?. News-Medical. Retrieved on
May 21,2020 fromhttps://www.newsmedical.net/health/What-are-Health-Disparities.aspx.
These are BOTH credible sources
b/c….
What is known (in general) about
health and economic disparities in
the USA?
*This is an example from a
previous student*
“In capitalist economies, the vast
majority of workers are employed
by others and, by definition, a
relationship of unequal power exists.
As divisions between advantaged
and disadvantaged groups widen,
power relationships in the workplace
and in broader policy settings have a
tremendous and growing potential to
affect the health of workers. We live
in a society that values work, yet this
value does not always extend to the
worker.”
Lipscomb, H. J., Loomis, D., McDonald, M. A.,
Argue, R. A., & Wing, S. (2006). A conceptual
model of work and health disparities in the United
States. International Journal of Health Services,
36(1), 25-50.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.2190/BREDNRJ7-3LV7-2QCG
This is from a scholarly research
journal article. This article gives
coverage on how the U.S.
government creates a disadvantage
for ethnic minorities in healthcare and
economics.
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Questions/Prompts:
Below are questions to address with this assignment. As I’ve already indicated, these are not all inclusive, so
you are encouraged to gather and share any topic-related information you deemed interesting/valuable/etc.
1. Define health disparity and economic disparity.
2. What is known (in general) about health and economic disparities in the USA?
3. What is known (or suspected) about how the COVID-19 pandemic is impacting individuals/families of
different groups in the USA (e.g., racial groups, women, LGBTQ)?
4. What are the hypothesized/suspected reasons for differential impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on
different groups in the USA (e.g., racial groups, women, LGBTQ)?
5. What are suggested responses/solutions to help individuals/families in these communities deal with the
COVID-19 pandemic?
6. Your concluding thoughts (e.g., unanswered questions, challenges, suggestions, etc.)
Ø In addition to the instructions above, here are additional required components/expectations:
o For question #3, you need at least 2 different sources of information. For all other questions
(excluding #6) you need at least 1 source of information. For question #6, you need to draw at
least 2 conclusions from your research.
o You must make sure to link the information with the source/reference (i.e., citation information).
You need to provide clear references for any information you use. The audience needs to be able
to access the information so basic requirements would be: title of the article, date, source, and
weblink. Use APA format the best you can (I don’t expect it to be perfect).
Grading
Ø This learning assignment’s purpose is to accumulate and share information. There are not necessarily
“right” answers to all of the questions posed… the evidence/information is still building. The “learning”
happens from gathering information, evaluating it, and examining for similarities and differences that
will prompt further study.
Ø Thus, the assignment will be graded for completion (e.g., effort put forth to engage with the learning).
See additional grading criteria below.
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Evaluation of the assignment is primarily an assessment of the effort put forth to engage in your learning. In
general, the expectations and values are described below.
Expectations Met (100-85%)
Work will demonstrate the
following:
Expectations Partially Met (84-70%)
Work will demonstrate the following
Expectations Not-Met (65-0%)
Work will demonstrate the
following:
Assignment fully adheres to
instructions.
Assignment mainly adheres to
instructions.
Little or no discernable effort to
complete the assignment, follow
instructions, demonstrate
understanding of the material,
etc.
Did not submit assignment
All questions/prompts are
answered/responded.
All questions/prompts are answered,
but some responses reflect a lack of
thought and/or reflection (e.g., more
thought could have been shared).
Does not answer all questions/prompts
(e.g., less than 20% missing).
Does not answer most
questions/prompts (e.g., more
20% missing).
Responds to questions/prompts
but significant lack of thought
and/or reflection (e.g., one
sentence response).
Consistently presents accurate
statements and/or numerical
results.
Presents mainly accurate statements
and/or numerical results (e.g., appears
student may not have clear
understanding of information they are
reporting).
Presents mainly accurate
statements and/or numerical
results (e.g., appears student may
not have clear understanding of
information reporting).
Content is organized so it is
easy to follow (e.g., titles,
paragraphs, headings, etc.).
Content is most organized, but some
difficulty in reading/following.
Content is un-organized/difficult
to follow.
Few/no grammar/spelling
errors.
Frequent (or repeated)
spelling/grammar errors.
Frequent (or repeated)
spelling/grammar errors.
Quotes are properly attributed
and referenced (If applicable)
All (or most) quotes are properly
attributed and referenced (If applicable)
Many quotes are not properly
attributed and referenced
(If applicable)
Adheres to APA style
(If applicable)
Somewhat adheres to APA style, but
repeated or major errors (If applicable).
Little/no adherence to APA style
(If applicable).