1. Describe their research question in one sentence- needs further development and
refinement.
2. Describe dependent variable in one sentence. Both the research question and the
dependent variable must be on page one of the proposal.
3. Identify and briefly describe their research objectives.
4. Paper must offer brief lit review [attached] on previous work done to investigate the same or similar
research question/RQ. This lit review must describe how other scholars have gone about studying the same or similar research question. What worked well, what did not work well?
5. Clearly identify and describe the concrete, specific ways in which the project
contributes to theory. This component should include both a formal explanation
and a substantive explanation. In other words, how do methodologists describe
the type(s) of theory contribution(s) you make? And what “gap” in existing
theory within your sub-field do you aim to fill?
6. Hypothesis(es) should be derived from lit review
7. Paper must describe research design choices, including
a. operationalization/measurement of major variables (Both DV and IVs)
b. list of possible observable implications (esp. for DV)
c. list of possible data sources/cases
d. Description of techniques/methods used to carry out data collection and analysis discuss case selection, if applicable to project
8. Using course readings [King, Keohane, & Verba: Designing Social Inquiry/
Creswell & Creswell: Research Design/ Weimer & Vining: Policy Analysis/
George & Bennett: Case Studies and Theory Development] and additional seminal works on
research design and methods.
9. Paper must justify research design choices and convince readers their research design
enables them to meet their research objectives. This will entail an explanation of how the
nature of the data informed the selection of the appropriate methodology.
a. must discuss the ways in which the research design is constructed to
avoid common research design pitfalls.
b. must identify the strengths and weaknesses of their research design
c. must offer concrete solutions for minimizing weaknesses
d. After thoroughly explaining and justifying research design choices.
e. Describe how the work contributes toward the evaluation and/or building of
public policies. Ground this explanation in the principles/methods for policy
analysis studies [Weimer& Vining].
Paper must include at least 20 references, in addition to the course readings, and must
demonstrate integration of biblical principles. APA format.