Moorpark College Sociology Paper

/0 Comments/in /by

Individual or Group Assignment #3: Final Research Proposal (RP) Paper & Presentation.

Use your research proposal draft ideas (Assignment #2) and your related in-class and out-of-class studying and discussions to complete the final research proposal paper and presentation. Select a topic of interest that is related to one or a couple of course-interconnected topics or themes. Provide a background on your topic, state why research is needed in the area, organize research questions, conduct a literature review, propose a methodology, explain the significance and implications of your project, and use references to support and contextualize your ideas. Follow the research proposal writing and presentation protocols you’ve learned in the course. These protocols are commonly used by researchers.

Submissions:

  • The final written proposal should include ALL sections (see below). The paper should be at least 7 – 14 pp., 10 to 12 pt. font, and single or double-spaced. Use headings to identify each section. Include at least three references (at least two should be empirically/research-based). One to two additional pages for references is okay. Cite references within the paper and at the end using APA, ASA, or another appropriate format for your topic.
  • The final proposal presentation should include ALL sections (see below). The presentation should be 7 – 14 slides (1-2 additional slides for references is okay). Cite references within slides and at the end using APA, ASA, or another appropriate format for your topic.

NOTE:

THERE ARE THREE PARTS TO THIS ASSIGNMENT: (1) PRESENTATION SLIDES UPLOADED TO THE COURSE ASSIGNMENT PORTAL (WITH ALL REQUIRED SECTIONS; NO AUDIO & NO VIDEO; ONLY 1 DAY EXTENSION WILL BE GRANTED TO SUBMIT); (2) WRITTEN PAPER UPLOADED TO THE ASSIGNMENT PORTAL (WITH ALL REQUIRED SECTIONS; EXTENSION OF 2-3 DAYS MAY BE GRANTED); & (3) POST ON THE COURSE GOOGLE DOCLinks to an external site. Links to an external site. THE ONLINE SHAREABLE LINK TO THE PRESENTATION (IF APPLICABLE, PRE-RECORDED OR WITH AUDIO/VIDEO), FINAL RESEARCH PROPOSAL TITLE, AND GROUP MEMBERS’ NAMES AND EMAILS.

Consider using this template to guide you with the development of your written proposal and corresponding oral presentation/slideshow. Under a written research proposal and oral presentation, it is customary to use the following sections/headings (the bolded items below).

Title of the Proposed Research (at least 1 word or 1 to 2 sentences and note in the written abstract/proposal and PowerPoint/Google Slideshow)

  • The title should be focused, descriptive, and catchy (You do not have to include the heading under this section-Title of the Proposed…)

Abstract (½ to 1 proposal page and ½ to 1 presentation slide)

  • The abstract is written after organizing and finalizing the research proposal sections; it can also introduce a draft proposal
  • Include key areas from the Introduction Sections, Literature Review, Design/Methodology, Limitations/Delimitations, and Conclusions/Summaries

Introduction (1 to 3 proposal pages and 1 to 3 presentation slides)

  • Brief background information on the topic (provide a context to set up your project)
  • Statement of the Problem/Need for the Research/Knowledge Gaps/Etc. (note the problem, need, the gaps, and how your research can help address this concern)
  • Research Question(s) (one specific question, no more than three is suggested; you can have an overarching questions and sub-questions)
  • Hypothesis (sometimes used in qualitative research; mostly used under certain quantitative research)
  • Theoretical Framework (if applicable, clearly state the lens, theory, guiding framework you’ll use)
  • Purpose of the Study (what you are going to do, how you are going to do this, and why you are going to do this)
  • Significance of the study (for research, practice, policy; note the micro‐ and macro-level issue/implications, as relevant)

Literature Review (1 to 3 proposal pages and 1 to 3 presentation slides)

  • Identify the types of literature included in this section (former studies, reports, key concepts, theories, pilot data)
  • Use the literature to support your project (addresses a knowledge gap, provides an alternative explanation, adds to/expands an area, other researches/field authorities indicate support, etc.)
  • Use this section to also support your theoretical frame, if used, as well as study design, study methods, etc.
  • Demonstrate your understanding of the research overarching project area/specific topic (show you are well‐read, indicate that you scoped out the relevant literature critically and thoroughly)

Design & Methodology (1 to 3 proposal pages and 1 to 3 presentation slides)

  • Provide details related to the design, note the types of methods, and explain how methods will be utilized
  • Describe the methods used: qualitative (interviews, focus groups, observation, ethnography, document/text analysis, etc.); quantitative (experimentation, surveys, etc.); or mixed methods (qualitative & quantitative, such as interviews, observations, surveys, experiments)
  • Note sample characteristics, how the sample will be identified, how you will work with the sample (sample can refer to people, places, documents, other artifacts)
  • If experimental/quantitative, describe the independent and dependent variables, your measurements, facilitating validity and generalizability
  • Describe how you will collect and analyze your data (tape record, take video, observe, secondary sources, transcriptions, use of coding, identify patterns/themes, applying a theoretical framework, statistical analysis)
  • Talk about ensuring confidentiality and adhering to ethics throughout your data collection and analysis stages
  • Outline your steps using a research timeline (to illustrate a start date, midpoint, conclusion)

Limitations & Delimitations (½ to 1 proposal page and ½ to 1 presentation slide)

  • Limitations are influences that cannot be controlled or cannot be avoided due to research setup, timeline, issues that arise, etc.
  • Delimitations define the parameters (scope/limits/boundaries) of the research

Dissemination Plan (½ to 1 proposal page and ½ to 1 presentation slide)

  • How will the findings be shared? (academic journals/papers/conferences; practitioner reports/booklets/presentations; social media/websites)

Conclusion (1 to 2 proposal pages and 1 to 2 presentation slides)

  • Briefly restate main research proposal parts, including background, need, question(s), methods, significance (micro- and macro-levels), etc.

References (½ to 2 proposal pages and ½ to 2 presentation slides)

  • Cited accordingly using appropriate format (APA, ASA, MLA, etc.)

Appendices (this section is often part of a fully developed research proposal; usually not included with an abstract or a presentation, but you may)

  • Include supplemental information (interview questions, focus group questions, survey questions; analysis protocols; code book; etc.

Enjoy learning about and going through the process that real-world researchers experience as they advance scholarly ideas, propose projects aimed at addressing a problem, and engage in systematic investigative studies.

REFERENCES:

0 replies

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *