Produce a brief research proposal
Sections:
1.Introduction
Brief intro to topic/issue: Is this an important issue? To what extent? Does it need further research?
Overall research question: What is the specific question you want to answer? Why is it important to answer this question in
regards to the overall issue?
Importance/Relevance: What could be the importance ofyour findings ifyour hypothesis is supported? What if it is not
supported? What are the implications of your proposed study?
2.Research Design
What is the main method you will be applying for your study? (e.g., survey, interviews, fieldwork, observation, experimental
method, evaluation, etc.)
How are you structuring your study?
Variables: What are they? How are they measured? Do these properly align with your research question?
Hypotheses: How do you expect your variables to interact? What is the expected interaction ifyour hypothesis is true? The
expected interaction ifyour hypothesis is not true?
Sample: Will you be employing a sampling method? If so, what type? If so, what is going to be your sample size?
What are some considerations for ensuring your study is objective? How will you address these issues?
Resources: What will you need to conduct your study? Material stuff? Physical/people assistance? Support or agreements with
agencies?
Are there any possible IRB issues? (there almost always will be). How will you address the possible IRB issues you see?
3.Timeline
When will your research begin? How long will your study take?
(LProposal Conclusion
‘So what?‘ – Why again is this research question important? Why again is this important in a way that has measurable impact on
people or systems?
