The Research Proposal

Purpose of the Research Proposal

1. To inform the reader of nature of your proposed research. What is the problem? What is its extent?

2. To convince the reader of the value of your proposed research. Is this project worth the time and money? Will it make a difference to the world?

Purpose of the Research Proposal 3. To demonstrate your expertise and

competency in a particular area of study. Do you have the qualifications to conduct this

research? Have you informed yourself of the existing theory and

data relevant to your topic? Do you have the necessary skills to conduct the

research?

4. To plan the research project and provide a step-by-step guide to the tasks necessary for its completion. What are the key stages of the work? What are the priorities? How do the various components fit together?

FYI…

This is a first draft. It will be revised! You must email your Proposal to your

advisor and make him/her aware this is your first draft, and that you will follow up at a later date for their signature, after you make their/my suggested changes. Please cc me on this email.

The final version will be due, with the advisor’s signature, in 3rd quarter.

Formatting Issues Typed, single-spaced, 12 point readable

font. Include the headings – in BOLD print Respond in paragraph format.

Complete sentences Complete thoughts Third person POV

Don’t forget the area for signatures. Attach Rubric when you submit.

Structure of the research proposal Title Overview of Research Background and

History Problem Statement

and Rationale Research

Methodology Product Overview Logistical

Considerations Approval

Structure of the Research Proposal

Title - Clear, informative, and “catchy”

Make it clever. Is Your Fido Fat or your Tabby Flabby? An Analysis of Pet

Obesity Ask a question.

What Happens When You Die Without A Will? An Academic-Year-Long Study of Estate Planning

Use a common phrase. Humpty Dumpty had a Great Fall: A Study of Teens and Brain

Injury Provide a visual image.

Mirror, Mirror on the Wall, Am I Thin Enough? A Study of the Psychological Roots of Anorexia and how the Transition to College may Exacerbate Them

Be straightforward. Laboratory Simulations of Surface Alteration on Small Bodies

through Seismic Activity

Structure of the Research Proposal

Overview of Research (new section): What is the general area(s) of

investigation? What specific area(s) within the field will be investigated researched and/or studied?

What proven need will be addressed? What real problem will be solved? (In other words, why is this important and why should we care?)

What will be the topic of the synthesis paper? What specific components will you argue in your thesis?

Structure of the Research Proposal

From Research Hypothesis Assignment – Include revisions when writing proposal Background and

History Problem Statement

and Rationale Research

Methodology

Structure of the Research Proposal

Product Overview (new section): What will be the product(s) and/or outcome(s) of the year

of study? (In other words, after you do primary research, what will you create to showcase your information?)

Who is the specific, targeted audience of the project? Who, other than the student, will learn or benefit as a result of the work? To whom will the outcomes be communicated? For whom is the product or result intended?

How will the product and outcomes be communicated to or performed for the selected audience? What will be the outlet vehicle (i.e., presentation, performance, etc.)?

A Side-Note about Products

When selecting the format of your product, consider… What will best address the need or gap in the

knowledge identified through your research? How do professionals in your field of study

communicate their results? Who will be the intended audience for your

product,, and what would most effectively communicate your information to that group?

Logistics (new section) Budget

What specific resources will you need to complete your project?

Other considerations Are there transportation needs? Are there equipment needs? Does special permission need to be obtained? Are there copyright considerations?

Structure of the Research Proposal