Seminar in Natural Science (online)

Research Proposal
(for the Web-based Presentation)

The proposal is the first concrete step in your research project this semester.  Before you read on, though, take another look at this Introduction to the 391 Research Project for a global view of the research project, the options you have in the assignment, and some tips on searching for a topic.

OK, you're back.  The basic purpose of the research proposal is informative: you want to give me concrete information on the scope and organization of your topic.  However, it's also speculative in the sense that you're trying out ideas, exploring possible directions of inquiry, and asking questions of yourself and me. This speculation also suggests another important fact: your proposed research plan is subject to change and revision.  If need be, you can modify the ideas and plan you propose here, as long as you discuss those changes with me beforehand. In a nutshell, the proposal addresses two major questions:  (1) Where are you in the research process at this time? (2) Where will you go from here?

Your proposal should be approx. 2 single-spaced pages long (be sure to put an extra space between paragraphs and headings--this handout is a good model).  Use 12-point font size and 1-inch margins. Proposals should be thorough (in terms of content), well-organized, clearly-written, and neat.  A cover page is not necessary; simply put your name, Research Proposal, and the date on the top of your first page.  If you have a working title for your project, you may include that, as well.

The major sections, along with some questions to get you going, are as follows.   Note: you don't necessarily have to answer the questions in this exact order; also, be aware that some questions overlap.  They're intended to get your mind working and in "proposal mode."  Make sure you organize your proposal according to these sections.

Introduction

• Describe the purpose and scope of your project, and identify the topic you're investigating.  What are the key questions you want to address?  In what sense will your research address a problem?  Does it have practical applications?  How is it connected to our course material?
• Discuss any relevant background information by contextualizing the topic and defining its key elements.  If the topic involves debatable points, or some kind of controversy, put that into perspective, too. 
• If you have an argument in mind concerning your topic (e.g., such as proposed solution to an identified problem), spell it out as clearly as you can.  If you're unsure, articulate the possibilities or put forth a hypothesis.  Either way, give me an idea of an argument that could work.
• Optional points to address:
  • Explain why this project relevant to you and/or your field of interest, if at all.   Does this resemble the kinds of research your major field requires?  Is your project related to a research assignment or opportunity at work?
  • Mention any special qualifications you have, if applicable, for this investigation:  Have you done prior research? Do you have particular expertise or personal experience that would be relevant in some way?

Tentative Outline

Provide a preliminary, 2-3 level outline of your project; make all similar elements of your outline parallel in structure and grammar.  This will facilitate us discussing your work in terms of organization, and will help you in focusing your topic.  Don't worry if the outline seems hard to write now--your ideas will change as you do your research, and you'll be changing the outline as you go along in the process.  Just give yourself a starting point for organizing your discussion, much as you would in the early brainstorming stages of writing a paper.

: : Need help outlining?  See this page on Developing an Outline from the Online Writing Lab at Purdue University.

Discussion

This is a catch-all section where you can discuss issues or ask questions of me which don't neatly fit into the other sections of your proposal.  Consider this list of questions as a starting point for reflection:

• What kind of presentation format do you plan to use (e.g., PowerPoint, Word, or webpage)?  Do you have any questions or concerns about the format?  (Note -- please review the presentation info page before you address this question.)
• What types of library-based information are you gathering (print sources)?
• In terms of the web-based sources, what kinds of information do you hope to find?  What websites seem to be useful, and why?
• If you've already done some reading about your topic, what key issues or problems seem significant?  Which will you pursue?
• What other questions do you have for me?  How can I help you in this process?

Working Bibliography

List three key sources (including a minimum of one scholarly source) you have identified and/or gathered thus far, using APA citation style.  (If you wish to use MLA style instead, you may do so.)  List the sources even if you've been unable to review them thoroughly -- some you may use, others you may not.

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Last updated 09/09/09