water pollution in usa
Assignment 3: Long Proposal
Objective:
The objective of the long research proposal is to refine your main thesis, identify a few main arguments you will pursue, and articulate your research methods
Learning Outcome:
Students will be able to write a clearly articulated long research proposal.
Tools and Resources:
• Writing Research Papers by Lester & Lester Chapter 2
• Detailed example is available on pp. 26-30
• For the bibliography: chapter 14
• Craft of Research Chapters 3-4
• Blackboard
• Microsoft Office
Requirement Overview:
• Total length: title + 5-7 paragraphs + bibliography, around 3 pages
• Title
• Abstract (one paragraph)
• Main Arguments (one paragraph)
• Literature Review (minimum of one paragraph)
• Research Methods (one paragraph)
• Expected Findings and Implications (one paragraph)
• Bibliography
Requirement Details:
A. Title. Note: this is a working title for the project as a whole, not for this assignment only. If I suggested improvements to your title, please make them!
B. Abstract: write one paragraph of 50 to 120 words. It must be a summary of your project.
a. Write a sentence stating the topic
b. Write 1-2 sentences stating the purpose of the project
c. Write 1-2 sentences explaining your methodology.
d. Include a revised thesis statement. Note: if I said that your thesis statement needed to be improved, please improve it!
e. Write 2-3 sentences stating your expected conclusions and implications.
C. Main arguments: Write one paragraph of 4-6 sentences identifying a minimum of three sub-topics or main arguments you plan to include in your project.
D. Literature review: write a minimum of one paragraph (5 -7 sentences each) reflecting on books, articles, etc. you have examined in preparation for your project. Each paragraph must include a minimum of three relevant references in MLA format.
E. Research Methods: Write one paragraph of 5 – 10 sentences describing how you will conduct your research.
Discuss the discipline or fields of your research – is your research historical, sociological, literary, philosophical, pertinent to a scientific field, etc.
Explain in detail any other kind of research you plan to conduct (e.g. a survey or interviews).
Whether you should conduct a survey or interviews depends on your topic. For some topics, this kind of research is absolutely essential; for other topics, it would be unnecessary or inappropriate.
F. Expected findings or implications: write one paragraph of 4 – 6 sentences stating what you expect to find out and possible implications.
G. Bibliography: Include a list of at least 10 references. Use MLA format (Writing Research Papers, chapter 14). Note: if you are more familiar and comfortable with APA format, you may use APA format instead. However, if your style requires extensive corrections, I will ask you to use MLA format.
