Research

Type of essay: Research proposal paper

Due: Thursday March 16th, 2023, before 11:59pm

TOPIC: GLOBAL POVERTY CAUSES

FORMAT

DOUBLE-SPACED, AT LEAST 1 INCH MARGINS, 12 POINT EASILY READABLE FONT, PAGE NUMBERS

NO MORE THAN 8 (EIGHT) PAGES OF CONTENT TEXT PLUS BIBLIOGRAPHY AND FIGURES/TABLES

PROFESSIONAL – clear, concise, well-organized, scholarly language, correct spelling and grammar, etc.

APA ACADEMIC CITATION FORMAT (provided) should be used for in-text citations and bibliography.

CLEARLY INDICATE EACH OF THE 10 CONTENT REQUIREMENTS (use section headers, bold font, etc.)

Page numbers: 8 PAGES

Use

Scientific: Apply Scientific Method principles

Conduct background research, justify assumptions, design a scientific study, limit bias, evaluate uncertainty,

address alternative explanations, validity and reliability. Think through the entire design and keep it consistent.

Practical: Make it specific, doable and realistic

Clear objectives, focused research question, doable design. Others should be able to check, implement, and

CONTENT

1. RESEARCH PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES

 A BRIEF INTRODUCTORY NARRATIVE ABOUT 1 PARAGRAPH – MOTIVATE YOUR STUDY

2. RESEARCH QUESTION (RQ)

 A CLEAR AND CONCISE STATEMENT OF A SPECIFIC RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VARIABLES that your study

will investigate including your Dependent Variable (DV) and least one Independent Variable (IV)

 Briefly explain why the question arises and is worth exploring scientifically.

3. RELEVANT LITERATURE REVIEW

 A BRIEF NARRATIVE ABOUT 2-3 PARAGRAPHS: Synthesize & demonstrate your knowledge of the field.

Frame your study and expected contributions accordingly. For example, what are the main debates in this.

field that motivates your study. What is missing (e.g., unanswered questions, disagreements)? How does

your study fit and contribute? Conduct background research, synthesize and cite appropriate sources.

4 . HYPOTHESIS

 YOUR CONCISELY STATED HYPOTHESIS: a plausible answer to RQ that relates your variables.

 RATIONALE FOR YOUR HYPOTHESIS: a few sentences explaining the basis of your hypothesis (e.g., existing

theory, prior work, observed yet unexplained phenomenon), why is it plausible and reasonable? Explain

and justify your assumptions.

 Note the status quo (null hypothesis) and what potential ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATION(S) your study will.

challenge. What other variables may affect your hypothesis and how will your account for their impact?

(Preview here and address throughout your research design)?

5. SPECIFIC RESEARCH DESIGN APPROACH & METHODOLOGY

 CHOOSE ONE OF THE FOLLOWING AND EXPLAIN KEY POINTS SPECIFICALLY, INCLUDING:

If STATISTICAL: is it survey research, experiment, large-N data analysis?

o identify specific analysis type (e.g., correlation, regression, other?) and justify assumptions

o identify your sampling method, sample size, representativeness, confidence level

o how will statistical significance be established? comment on inference potential & generalizability

o what data types and sources are needed to quantitatively measure your variables

o if survey research, what is your questionnaire design, how will it be administered, provide key

questions and answer scales designed to collect data according to your variable measures.

If CASE STUDY: apply the “Structured, Focused Comparison” method (use George & Bennett)

o what are your specific cases and what is the general phenomenon of which each case is an instance?

(One case is sufficient if the design in principle could be applied to multiple cases, explain how)

o what is the case selection method and why (clearly state a theoretical rationale)

o identify your specific qualitative analysis type (e.g., process tracing, historical explanation)

o justify assumptions, comment on inference potential and scope of your qualitative design

o what data types and sources are needed to qualitatively measure your variables

if GAME THEORY: clearly identify your model, 2 players – sufficient (use handout, Bueno de Mesquita, etc.)

o specify the strategic interaction, players, their action options and preferences over outcomes

o what are the decision points, paths, possible outcomes, and payoffs – draw a decision tree

o what specific consequences/payoffs are associated with each outcome

o what are the probabilities (likelihoods) and conditions for reaching each outcome (your reasoning)

o what data types and sources are needed to provide evidence for each of your model elements?

 THE REST OF THE DESIGN SHOULD SUBSTANTIATE AND BE CONSISTENT WITH YOUR APPROACH

6 . VARIABLE DEFINITIONS AND MEASUREMENTS

 How is each of your variables DEFINED and OPERATIONALIZED in order to measure and collect data?

 How exactly will each of the variables be MEASURED? This should be practical and fit the design approach.

 Discuss other variables that may affect your RQ – how will you measure and account for their impact?

7. DATA COLLECTION

 Outline what SPECIFIC DATA (exact records/measurements/observations) will be collected and how.

 Identify the SPECIFIC SOURCES of these data and how you would access them.

 Include an EXCEL TABLE with categories you would use to record and prepare your data for analysis.

8. DATA ANALYSIS PLAN

 Explain your SPECIFIC ANALYSIS METHOD: include purpose, steps and procedures; explain how to

achieve, evaluate and interpret results; explain how to establish validity and reliability.

 DISCUSS UNCERTAINTY AND ALTERNATIVE EXPLANATIONS: How will your study isolate the impact of your

test variable(s) vs. potential other variables and explanations? What uncertainty may remain and why?

9. BRIEF CONCLUSION

 Address possible limitations of your design and briefly comment on expected findings and contributions.

10 . REFERENCES

Use the provided APA reference style for in-text citations and bibliography; include at least 3 (three) academics.

peer-reviewed scientific journal articles plus at least 1 course book, among other appropriate sources.