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Research Process
Directions to Students
Scenario
The state of the economy often dominates the national and world news. A fluctuating economy, brought on by the rise and fall of stock markets, unemployment rates, and demand for goods and services directly affects citizens, industry, and banking. Policymakers, such as the Federal Reserve Board, Congress, and the President intervene by altering government spending, raising or lowering taxes, and changing the money supply in an attempt to stabilize the economy; however, these interventions often do not affect the economy immediately, but instead work with a long lag time.
economic fluctuations to stabilize the economy? If so, when? If not, why not? |
Task and Product
You and your group will prepare to debate the use of macroeconomic policy to smooth the ups and downs of the business cycle. The debate may be filmed Based on your knowledge of aggregate supply and demand, decide whether policymakers should influence economic fluctuations to stabilize the economy. You will need to find evidence and documentation to support your stand as well evidence which supports the opposing viewpoint in order to refute arguments presented during a class debate.
When researching for the debate, keep in mind ...
- How does the economy in the short run differs from the long run.
- How do shifts in supply and demand cause booms and recessions?
- Consider the effect of variables such as the GDP, unemployment, interest rates, exchange rates, government spending, taxes, money supply, and the price level on the economy.
Use this graphic organizer to assist you in taking a stand.
After completing your research you will use your findings to write a persuasive letter to your Congressional Representative. Your letter should include
- your stand
- three pieces of supporting evidence
- introduction and conclusion
- request to support your views in future policymaking decisions
Assessments
You will be graded on your daily work on the research process as well as on your final product.
Question
Essential Question:
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Subsidiary questions to jump start your thinking!
- How have monetary and fiscal policies affected the economy in the past?
- How do changes in the money supply, interest rates, tax rates, and government spending affect economic indicators?
- How do the following concepts affect the economy
- consumer saving and spending
- pessimism/ optimism
- unemployment
- foreign and domestic events
- profit margins
- wages
- inflation
- investments / stock markets
- credit
- exchange rate
- foreign and domestic banking
- production
Gather and Sort
Gather information from a variety of sources.
Sort your findings using a graphic organizer when taking notes.
Remember to cite your references. Check the MLA guidelines and examples for citing resources; however, your school may use a different format.
To avoid risking plagiarism,
properly paraphrase and quote in your writing.
Organize
Analyze your research notes to determine whether or not fiscal and monetary policymakers should attempt to stabilize the economy. Make sure you indicate if and when interventions are appropriate.
Synthesize your findings by preparing materials for your class debate and draft your persuasive letter.
- What new insights have emerged about macroeconomics and the impact of fiscal and monetary policy?
- Which arguments are the most compelling and would have the greatest impact on your audience?
Evaluate the effectiveness of your research for the task.
- Have you gathered sufficient details about your issue?
- Have you gathered information on both sides of the issue?
- Are your details organized in the right categories or sub-topics to make sense for your audience?
- Refer to your decision making chart to ensure you have covered all aspects of the issue.
Conclusion
Presentation
Participate in the class debate. Present evidence to support your stand and refute opposing arguments.
Refer to the class debate scoring tool to ensure you meet all the criteria.
Write a letter to your Congressional representative advocating
your stand on the use of monetary and fiscal policy.
Persuasive letter scoring tool.
Reflection
Now that you have an understanding of macroeconomics, how will it affect your personal financial planning? Scoring tool for brief constructed response