1. Integrative Projects: Getting Started
sina mccants mossayeb
teachers college, columbia university

2. selecting a research topic: range and scope
part one
selecting a research topic:
range and scope
concept by charles tilly, columbia university (2006)

3. an instance: one time and place
changes accept
answer and questions
innovatory contribution: you contribute a seemingly new idea outside of existing arguments in the field
provides new
answer to old question
significant contribution: you contribute new evidence / support to an existing argument, that has bearing on a controversy of the topic
challenges accepted
answer to old questions
RANGE OF CONTRIBUTION (RESULTS)
confirms contested
answer to old questions
basic contribution: you contribute more evidence / support to existing arguments
modifies accepted answers to old questions
an instance: one time and place
confirms accepted answers to old questions
fills in
information gap
SCOPE OF CONCLUSIONS
an instance
several instances
all instances
concept by charles tilly, columbia university (2006)

4. IMPACT RISK greatest risk greatest impact area of impact least impact
changes accept
answer and questions
greatest risk
provides new
answer to old question
greatest impact
challenges accepted
answer to old questions
IMPACT
ON THE FIELD
confirms contested
answer to old questions
RISK
ASSOCIATED
area of impact
modifies accepted answers to old questions
least impact
confirms accepted answers to old questions
fills in
information gap
least risk
SCOPE
The potential for impact on the field increases as scope and range of research increase
however, there is a direct correlation between impact of innovatory research / more instances AND risk of strong opposition to your research findings
concept by charles tilly, columbia university (2006)

5. IMPACT RISK area of impact
changes accept
answer and questions
greatest impact / greatest risk
provides new
answer to old question
challenges accepted
answer to old questions
IMPACT
ON THE FIELD
confirms contested
answer to old questions
RISK
ASSOCIATED
area of impact
modifies accepted answers to old questions
confirms accepted answers to old questions
fills in
information gap
least impact / least risk
SCOPE
the red shaded area represent the most risky area but potentially bears the greatest impact
the blue shaded area represents the ideal range and scope of research for dissertation work
the green shaded area represents the ideal range and scope of research for masters thesis / integrative projects
concept by charles tilly, columbia university (2006)

6. Questions by Charles Tilly (2006)
AN ALL-PURPOSE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS
What main questions will your study address?
Why, how, and to whom do those questions matter?
What sorts of answers to those questions are worth considering?
How will your study address the questions?
What form will the evidence take?
What are some possible conclusions from the evidence?
What are the main technical problems you will have to solve?
What are the main conceptual problems you will have to solve?
What are the main theoretical problems you will have to solve?
What are the main practical problems you will have to solve?
Where will you start? Why there?
What form will the final product(s) take?
AN ALL-PURPOSE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR PAPERS, THESES, & BOOKS
In one sentence, what question(s) does this work answer?
In one sentence, what answer(s) does it give?
Who should care about the question(s)? Why and how?
What other answers must we reject if we accept yours?
Why should we prefer your answer(s)?
How have you investigated the question(s)?
What arguments and evidence are you presenting for your answer(s)?
Why should we believe your arguments? Your evidence?
If you are right, what general conclusions should we draw?
Questions by Charles Tilly (2006)

7. part two
ip proposal writing

8. IP Proposal Template 1. Title of Project
2. Research Question (1 sentence for each question)
3. Anticipated Findings (1-2 sentences)
4. Importance & Relevance (1 paragraph)
5. Foundational Theories (2-5 sentences)
6. Methods (2-5 sentences, use bullet points)
7. Unit of analysis (or) object of inquiry (1 sentence)
8. Selective Bibliography of Sources (5-10 sources)
9. Timeframe (create table or chart indicating the stages of your IP research/writing
IP Proposal Template. Copyright 2006 – Sina M. Mossayeb

9. IP Proposal Template – Example
Title of Project:
Emigration and Education: The Case of the Iranian-American Community
Research Question:
Do Iranians immigrate to the United States only because of “push factors” (i.e. situation in Iran) or are there “pull factors” that attract Iranian immigrants to the United States? More specifically, does perceived educational opportunity in the United States effect Iranians’ decision to immigrate to the United States.
Anticipated Findings:
While I anticipate that push factors are a driving force for migration, pull factors (such as perceived educational opportunity) might also play an influential role in the decision to immigrate specifically to the United States. If perceived educational opportunity in the United States and limited educational opportunity in Iran does affect the decision of Iranian immigrants, a new area of research related to emigration and education in the Iranian community will be opened.
IP Proposal Template. Copyright 2006 – Sina M. Mossayeb

10. IP Proposal Template – Example (continued)
Importance & Relevance (Why is it important? To whom is it important?)
Over 900,000 Iranians live in the United States today. Popular discourse about Iranian immigration to the United States focuses on the social and political freedoms associated with relocation. The prevailing literature on Iranian immigration explains why people leave Iran; but accounts remain limited to a unilateral force--namely, unfavorable conditions in Iran. I regard the study as a contributive investigation of the potential correlation between perceived educational opportunity (or lack thereof) and immigration. This study will highlight new areas requiring further research and identify a new motive for Iranian immigration to the United States. Subsequent findings will inform policy makers in the United States and Iran.
IP Proposal Template. Copyright 2006 – Sina M. Mossayeb

11. IP Proposal Template – Example (continued)
Theoretical Foundation (theories, concepts, previous research, etc.)
I draw on the historical and economic analysis of primarily three scholars (Sakurai, Habibi, and Torbat) who point to Iran’s (a) higher education screening policies; (b) degrading higher education quality; and (c) limited higher education access and capacity. According to the three authors, these constitute contributive “push factors” for emigration (in addition to social, political, and religious suppression). Therefore, the theoretical foundation on which I build my inquiry has to do the push factors above, inciting me to ask if there are any pull factors.
Methods (How are you doing to answer your question?)
Literature Review
Analysis of Statistical Data (i.e. census data, etc.)
Examination of Iranian Policies (government documents and statements)
Survey of 101 Iranian-American immigrants (using internet surveys)
Unit of Analysis (or) Object of Inquiry
Iranian Immigrants to the United States
IP Proposal Template. Copyright 2006 – Sina M. Mossayeb

12. IP Proposal Template – Example (continued)
Selective Bibliography
List of 5-10 books, articles, and other sources.
IP Timeframe (ex. Degree to be awarded in May)
Approval of IP by Advisor in February 1st
Degree Application turned in by February 1st
First Final Draft of IP to be turned in April
December
January
February
March
April
Do preliminary research on topic
Identify case and unit of analysis
Write draft of topic question
Collect 5-10 sources
Come up with research methods
Submit IP proposal(s) to advisor for consideration and feedback (come up with 1-3 proposals to be on the safe side)
After receiving “go-ahead” from advisor read further sources and compile data
If not begun, start writing IP
After first draft is complete give to others to read for opinion and feedback
Additional research if necessary
Revisions to IP and preparation for final submission
Make sure formatting is correct
Turn in 1st Final Draft to Advisor
IP Proposal Template. Copyright 2006 – Sina M. Mossayeb

13. … get started! sina mossayeb, peer advisor mossayeb@tc.edu
grace dodge hall + room wed (2-4) & thur (appointments) = advising