What are one or two of the most significant writings on the research subject and what makes these important?What will be the significance of these writings in making your own argument on the issue?

Assignment 2: Research Proposal

The Research Proposal paper will essentially make the case for why you should be approved to write a research paper on the subject you have chosen. The paper asks you to describe a specific topic area (the topic of your research paper) and propose a working hypothesis or thesis, as well as to provide descriptions of the paper’s purpose, the problem(s) to be addressed, the significant literature written on the subject, and the major points your paper will cover. Your paper must offer a working thesis (meaning you must take a stance on the issue addressed); however, it should be open to revision based on the evidence you find as you continue your research. The paper should include the following sections and answer the questions listed under the section descriptions:

Introduction:
Provides some introductory description of the subject to be researched and the specific area within that subject on which you will focus your research. Offers a working thesis for the research paper.

What will be the subject of your research project and what issue will be addressed? Be as specific as you can be.
Why does this issue need to be addressed?
What is your working thesis? In other words, what stance will you take on the issue raised.

Statement of Purpose:
Describes your reasons for conducting research on the chosen topic. Provides a more specific description of the area of research.

Which specific group(s) will find the subject important? Why is subject important to this group?
What is your interest in the subject you have chosen? Provide a specific personal interest, not just a general interest in the overall subject.
What will your perspective add to the existing discussions on the subject?

Statement of the Problem:
Describes in some detail the problem or problems associated with the issue that will be addressed. Makes the case that the problem(s) are significant and that your perspective on them will be a valuable addition to the discussion of the issue.

Which problem(s) related to your research subject most need to be addressed and why?
For each problem discussed, explain why the problem needs to be addressed. Why is it a significant problem and why should people be concerned about it?
How will your own stance on the issue address the problem(s) and why will your approach be effective? Try to answer this question for each problem discussed.
What other solutions to the problem(s) have been offered, if any, and why are these ineffective or less effective than yours?

Review of the Literature:
Describes one or two articles, books, book chapters, etc. that most significantly address the issue to be addressed in the research paper. Offers explanation for why these texts are significant to the issue as well as to your research paper and discusses how these texts will be used in the research paper.

What are one or two of the most significant writings on the research subject and what makes these important?
How have these writings influenced your own views of the subject and the issue addressed?
What will be the significance of these writings in making your own argument on the issue?

Project Description:
Provides an explanation of the major points that will be made in the research paper and how these points will develop your thesis. Offers a sense of the organization and logic of the research paper.

Which major points will need to be addressed in order to make your overall argument work?
Why are these points important to your overall argument?
What is the order of importance of the points?

Conclusion:
Briefly reemphasizes the importance of the research project and its contribution to the discussion of the issue addressed. Explains what you hope to accomplish by researching and writing on the subject.

How will researching and writing your paper add to your own knowledge and education?
What will your research add to the existing discussion on the issue?
What do you hope that readers will take away from the paper?

Works Cited Page:
The works cited page must list the source(s) included in the Review of the Literature section. The citations must follow the format of a specific style guide, either MLA or APA.

Format
The paper should be typed, double-spaced, using one-inch margins, and a 12 point font. The final draft of the essay must be at least 750 words (not including the works cited page). Put your name, my name, the course, and the date in the upper left-hand corner of the first page (title pages are unnecessary). Include page numbers. Be sure to cite your sources using a specific style guide (MLA, APA) and include a works cited page. Elements of the assignment will be addressed in class discussions and activities. A draft will be due on Tuesday, October 13th. The Final Draft will be due to the Canvas Dropbox on Thursday, October 15th by the start of class time. Peer review sheets should be handed in in class on Oct. 15th.

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