Initial research proposal: 2-3 pages; The initial proposal will be a draft. I expect to see:

• sections that are somewhat unfocused, but areas where connections are being made betweensections.

• relevant, credible sources being cited, even though these sources might not be fully integrated atthis stage

• a sense of audience, even if the audience is conceived in broad terms at this stage

• an attempt at making an argument based on the current version of the research question.

Again,the argument might not be complex, but it should show engagement with the research.We will complete several activities prior to the first draft that should help you choose a topic toresearch and begin orienting it towards an audience.After the proposal, we will spend several weeks working on narrowing the research question, craftingan argument, and developing the necessary research to provide a narrative (see below, underliterature review) justifying the proposed study, including how it addresses a gap in the currentresearch, A gap in the research question generally means some aspect that is insufficientlyunderstood, currently under-explored, etc. The proposal will answer the “so what” question: whyshould this specific audience care about this specific problem and about the recommendations youare making?

Final research proposal: 6-8 pages (4-6 pages will be the literature review);

The final research proposal will be a polished document. I expect to see:

• significant progress in how you have articulated a research question that has resulted in acomplex thesis

• made an argument supported by a literature review

• provided a coherent narrative crafted to persuade a narrowly defined audience

Title: A descriptive statement of the project.

• Literature review: Explain your scholarly question and provide a rationale for your project. Includea narrative review of appropriate literature with in-text citations. What is your question and whyis it significant?

• Process: Describe your project design and methods. Include a description of materials andequipment necessary to complete the project. What will you do to answer your question?

• Expected outcomes: Describe the anticipated outcomes, products and/or results of your projectand its contribution to the scholarly community. What will you produce? How will your results bedisseminated in your field?

• References: Include complete reference list of works cited and consulted in the style mostappropriate to the discipline.