Instructions

Consider the ideas and discussions you have had so far in the class, and compose a research paper proposal. Your proposal should be a minimum of 3 double-spaced pages in length or 750 words and should be written in edited, formal English.

The research paper proposal should be written as an essay that argues that your proposed research question will work for this class. A good research question has four qualities:

1. It is specific. The question clearly indicates the scope of your research: when, what or who, and where. 

2. It is clear.  The question is written in such a way that it is easy to guess how your thesis statement should look and how you should best go about your research.

3. It is debatable.  Scholars and/or experts in the field do not agree on this topic and/or the question is currently under discussion.

4. It is research-able. You are able to find at least 10 relevant primary sources on the topic. At least half of those sources should be traditional primary sources (academic journals, peer-reviewed studies, government (.gov) websites, education (.edu) websites, legal documents, press releases, official statistics and data).

In justifying your research question, the proposal should address the following questions: 

1. What is your research topic?

2. Why does this topic interest you?

3. What is your research question? (Remember that your research question should be specific, clear, debatable, and research-able.)

4. What is your working thesis statement? (Remember that your working thesis statement should answer the research question.)

5. What are ten relevant sources that you found that speak to your research question, and how did you find them?

6. How do they prove that your research question is specific, clear, debatable, and research-able? 

You should include a 

working bibliography
 that cites 10 sources you found. The sources should be cited in the most up to date 

MLA
 or 

APA
 documentation style.

Please note: You must earn a passing score on the research proposal rubric, indicating that your research question is approved by your instructor, in order to see Week 11 and 12’s assignment, “Outlining and Peer Review.” Please work with your instructor if you do not receive a passing score the first time to revise your proposal until it receives a passing score.