Research: Study Design and Literature Review Essays

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LS 690 The Proposal Writing Process

Introductions, Thesis Statements, Research Questions, Background, and Literature Reviews

Important Due Dates: March 7: Submit to iLearn your ideas for your Research Topic, Question, Relevant Disciplines, Methodology (initial ideas for conducting your study—review Walliman, Ch 6-8 for ideas), Tangible Outcome (what will you do with your information—Master’s Thesis, workshop, presentation, program, lesson plan, exhibit, film, mural, book. . . )

March 14: Class work on refining topics, research problems, questions, study designs/methodologies, tangible outcomes. Read Walliman Chs 3-8, and bring your revised research proposal topic, problem, research question, relevant disciplines, study design, and tangible outcome. Include 3-5 sub-questions for each discipline (see Walliman Ch 3) to use as a starting point for your literature review research. (Research Workshop with Librarian)

March 21: Draft of Introduction Due (see below); continue gathering sources for Literature Review

March 28: Annotated Bibliography Due—submit to iLearn—6-10 relevant sources to be used in your Literature Review. Include an equal number of sources for each discipline. For example, if you are integrating two disciplines into your research proposal, then include 3-5 sources for each discipline.

April 4: Peer Response—three hard copies of Literature Review Due

April 11: Draft of Research Study Design Due—your study, methodology. . . more information to come on this section. . .

1. Introduction (~2-3 pages) a. Nature of the problem: Be sure to state how the problem is complex

Here you will introduce the general topic—start where you are. Narrate your interest How you became interested and why, leading up to:

b. Problem statement/thesis statement

What is the problem? What is lacking/needed? What do you want to know about? What do scholars say and what do you say in response?

c. Purpose of the study: Be sure to state why an interdisciplinary approach is needed, and which disciplinary perspectives will be utilized—at least two disciplines. Also explain why these disciplines are helpful. What insights will these disciplinary perspectives provide?

Typically, a problem is studied from one disciplinary perspective. You need to persuade the reader why an interdisciplinary approach is needed—the problem is complex, but what else? What can be gained from these disciplinary insights? This discussion leads to:

d. Significance of the study—so what? • What will you do with this research? • What is the tangible outcome (e.g., Master’s Thesis, workshop, book, presentation, afterschool program, film, mural, etc.) • Your study will contribute how and to what?

e. Restate your thesis: the purpose of