A research proposal is an overview of the argument contained in your working thesis statement, sometimes called a hypothesis. It is not based on research, but on what you already know, or think you know, about your topic.
If done well, a research proposal will almost serve as a preliminary outline of your paper. It offers your working thesis (hypothesis) and explanation, which should list the points you want to make. The sub-points are the main points of your paper. And the objections represent the other side of the argument.
This is a good time to reconsider the initial thoughts you had earlier in the module about your thesis (or hypothesis): do you need to rewrite it? If you have trouble filling in the sections below, an improperly formed thesis might be the problem.
The research proposal has 5 parts:
Working Thesis: a one-sentence paragraph; no introduction is necessary.
Explanation: a statement that includes the points you think you will be discussing in your paper.
Subpoints: each sub-point explains more fully a point mentioned in your explanation.
Possible Objections: a brief discussion of the opposition’s point of view.
Reply to Objections: your brief answer to the opposition.
Your research proposal should look like the five parts listed above. The number of sub-points may vary, but if you have only two, you may not have enough material for a good paper. For a simple undergraduate paper, limit your sub-points to 4 or 5.
The point of this exercise is to give you a focus, to force you to think about your topic independently of any research you may do or have done. This will probably serve as a basis for your paper, although it is quite likely that, once you begin your research, some of your ideas will change. That is the point of research: working to find an answer to a question!
Although your early research may have given you some great information, it is not necessary to rely on research for a good research proposal: you are simply outlining the argument that you expect to make in your final paper.
A good research proposal follows the standard format described in this module.
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Assignment 3 Grading Criteria
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Maximum Points
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Working Thesis (making your claim clear)
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12
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Explanation (what do you expect to cover in your argument)
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12
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Sub-points (explaining the points covered above)
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14
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Possible Objections (what does the “other side†think)
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16
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Response to Objections (how do you plan to answer those objections listed above)
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16
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Format (have you presented this information in APA style, and in a way that your reader can easily follow)
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10
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Usage and Mechanics: Grammar, Spelling, Sentence Structure
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10
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Style: Audience, Voice, Word Choice
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10
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Total:
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100
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How can you know if you have done well with this assignment?
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This criteria:
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Is well written if:
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Working Thesis(making your claim clear)
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You state your thesis (your main point) in a single, declarative sentence that can be argued using scholarly research. Your thesis is neither too narrow nor too broad. You use no conjunctions.
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Explanation (what do you expect to cover in your argument)
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You offer a short overview of the main points that you expect to cover in your paper.
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Subpoints (explaining the points covered above in detail)
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You expand on your overview, with a statement of what you already know about the subject that supports your claim, as well as areas where you will need to do research to fill in your knowledge.
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Possible Objections(What does the “other side†think?)
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You fairly and completely offer the strongest arguments against your position.
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Response to Objections (How do you plan to answer those objections to your thesis listed above?)
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You offer your possible responses to the objections listed above. You avoid fallacious argumentation and note the areas where the other side is correct.
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Format (Have you followed APA style, and presented this information in a way that your reader can easily follow?)
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Your proposal is saved in Microsoft Word®, with an APA style title page. You have five headings (THESIS, EXPLANATION, SUBPOINTS, OBJECTIONS, REPLY TO OBJECTIONS) in capital letters and in the order listed here.
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Vocabulary, grammar and punctuation, voice, and word choice. (Are you presenting this work in an academic manner?)
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You use appropriate language, avoiding wordiness, while giving the reader all necessary information. You have no spelling, punctuation, sentence, apostrophe, or homophone errors. You remain in the third person voice.
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