Research
Proposal
Stage 1: Select a
topic and do necessary background research and reading:
1. Select a research topic of interest and
value to you. Think of it as researching to give a speech. What
were some of the topics in your speech class?
2. Do necessary background research and
reading on your topic. This will help you write the schedule.
Stage 2: Prepare a
research proposal not to exceed 3 pages (Times New Roman, double spaced, 1Ó
margins):
Explain your general topic. What is your
motivation for choosing this topic? Why should this topic be studied
qualitatively? What have you learned in your preliminary research?
(Be sure to cite sources). What are you hoping to learn from the
interviews? What is/are your main research question(s)? (Keep these
narrow). What kinds of questions will you ask to answer the main RQ(s)?
(DonŐt just simply list your questions. Save that for the interview
schedule. Instead, talk about the motivation for the questions).
Whom do you plan to interview? (Keep this to
one population). How many people will you interview? (If you cannot
name names at this time, list characteristics of ideal interviewees). How
will you recruit participants? When and where do you plan to conduct your
interviews?
Example papers are
provided below. Remember, these are not perfect papers. They are
simply provided to give you some guidance.