Research Proposal Guidelines

When due  Due Date: No later than Tuesday, May 8 – 2:00 pm In my box in main Sociology Office No attachments unless approved ahead of time

Specifications Typed in regular font (12 point) Stapled in upper left hand corner only Include a cover page, but No folders, binders, or other holders No fancy pictures, ribbons, or other adornments Must be grammatically correct (including spelling) Use ASA format for citations

Proposal Organization Cover Page with your name, date, course, and title of your proposal Cover Page Proposal Body with the Following Sections. 1. Introduction and statement of the research problem (1 – 2 pages) 2. Background/Review of Literature (3 – 4 pages) 3. Method and Data (3 – 4 pages) 4. Limitations (1 page) Works Cited/References Appendices

Introduction and Statement of the Research Problem Briefly introduce your topic Why did you choose the topic? Why is it of interest (to you and/or sociology) What specifically will you focus on? State your research question.

Background/Review of Literature This is an integration of the existing theoretical and empirical sociological studies related to your research question. Draw on your annotated bibliography. annotated bibliography Include at least three articles from your annotated bibliography must be from peer-reviewed sociology journals Other items ok as long as three refereed articles are included A literature review is not a summary of the articles. It is an integration of ideas, theories, concepts, and findings from the articles. Approximate length: 3-4 pages

Note: For a good example of a literature review see the "Previous Research" section of the "Explaining Rape Victim Blame..." article in the Adler and Clark text (pages ). Also: See the SSU library guide to literature reviews.guide to literature reviews

Data and Method (Use Headings) 1. Proposed Data and Data Collection Method Describe the method (survey, interview, fieldwork, content analysis) Describe the nature of the data you will collect (including units of analysis) Discuss how the method and data are appropriate for your research question 2. Proposed Sampling Strategy Be precise and use appropriate terminology Keep in mind that the research is to be doable in a semester as a student (i.e., you will have few resources and little time

Data and Method – con’d 3. Conceptualization and Operationalization of Variables As much as possible define your variables using the existing literature (not the dictionary). Discuss how you will operationalize each variable (i.e., develop appropriate measures for each variable using your research instrument). Include a copy of your data collection instrument (in most cases, a survey or interview schedule) in an Appendix. Be sure that your instrument follows appropriate guidelines for development and design.

Limitations and Conclusions Conclude your proposal with a discussion of the limitations or weaknesses in your proposal Offer suggestions for minimizing the limitations

Works Cited/References Using appropriate ASA format, include a list of the resources cited in your proposal. ASA format The works cited must be among the items on your annotated bibliography but not all items on your annotated bibliography will necessarily appear on the works cited. A minimum of 3 articles should appear, but more are expected Reminder: The body of your paper is to be a continuous paper with proper headings and subheadings.

Appendices Appendix I: attach a copy of your data collection instrument. Appendix II (Optional): Attach a copy of a mock bivariate table showing the main categories for your proposed research Appendix III: attach a copy of your annotated bibliography (See Annotated Bibliography Assignment Instructions)

Evaluation of Proposals Do you ask an appropriate research question? Are your proposed data and method appropriate to the research question? Does the literature review: Integrate ideas and findings from the articles (rather than summarizing each article separately) Include at least three articles from peer-reviewed sociology journals Avoid non-scholarly resources Demonstrate how your research fits into the existing literature

Evaluation – con’d Do you adequately conceptualize and operationalize each variable? Is your instrument of high quality? Is it precise, thorough, thoughtful, and well-designed? Is your sampling procedure clearly described and appropriate to the question? Do you provide a complete and thoughtful discussion of the study’s limitations? Do you use ASA style in your works cited? Is the proposal well written and professionally presented?