research proposal

It comprise Parts 1 and 2 of developing research proposal

Part 2: “Getting to the question” – Research question articulation (20 marks)

Part 3 : Research proposal development (20 marks)

Ideally, this project is best done in a group. It may be done solo.

1.      Focus your topic; set delimitations (what you are interested in learning about)

2.      Define search parameters to review the literature on a topic area covered in this course

3.      Conduct search

4.      Select articles (per requirements for Assignment 4)

5.      For each article/source:

·        in one paragraph, provide an overview of what the article/source is about

·        in one-two sentences, describe how the content of this source is relevant to your research topic

6.      Provide a synthesis of findings, pulling together learnings from all sources. This is in the style of a standard essay; state your purpose, then ‘build the story’ of how the resources you selected help inform your emerging research proposal and project, then bookend by responding to the purpose in the conclusion. Many students forget to provide a synthesis. It is the part of the paper where you put together all of the ideas from the sources reviewed.

Domains

·        PEN (use one)

·        grey literature (use one)

·        peer-reviewed literature (use three)

·        research sources online (at least one)

For each source:

1.      use APA style citation as a heading

2.      in one paragraph, provide an overview of what the article/source was about

3.      in one-two sentences, describe how the content of this source was relevant to your research topic

Grading:

·        All APA heading citation – perfection expected (-.5 if 1-2 errors; 0 for >2 errors) (potential for -3 marks)

·        overview and statement of relevance for each source (1 each): (6 marks)

–        descriptive of topic and target group or location (if appropriate)

–        singularly focused (there is one question per issue or sub-issue, not several issues combined in a question)

–        reflects your declared topic and the literature/background

–        concise (not overly wordy yet provides sufficient information to know what you are talking about)

Perfection in use of APA citations expected (note that this means that if the citation was incorrect in the text, and cut and pasted, it will also be incorrect in the reference list)

Note: For any use of a database citation for a peer-reviewed article rather than the original source information, TWO MARKS will be deducted.

·       this may be a repetition of what you included in Assignment 5 or you may want to reword your question

·       -1 if revisions based on feedback from Assignment 3 were ignored

– describes what you will gather (give details of what, from whom, when, where, and how information would be recorded/organized)

–        reference to Research and Graduate Studies Ethics procedures (.5)

–        level of risk declared (.5)

–        rationale re: risk level (.5)

–        statement of whether or not the study would require ethics review? (.5)

This is an acknowledgement of what costs might be involved for supplies/equipment, travel, and human resources, not a detailed budget of what you would need to undertake your assignment.

Will be assessed on whether it is inclusive and reasonable.

For example, we will need funds for x and y, and give the rationale.

(-1)

Note: For any use of a database citation for a peer-reviewed article rather than the original source information, TWO MARKS will be deducted (for each incorrect citation).