communication- research method

CN304— PAPER THREE

Preliminary Proposal for a Qualitative Undergraduate Capstone Project

OBJECTIVES:

· To demonstrate understanding of approaches to qualitative research covered this semester

· To select an appropriate text or data as the focus for a research project using one of these approaches

· To develop an appropriate framework for developing a qualitative research project using this text or data

· To create a Preliminary Proposal for a qualitative Capstone project which can be used in a WTE Declaration & Activity Plan

CONTENT: Required Elements (business report format; APA for internal citations and bibliography)

Please develop each of these topics in this order; use descriptive headings and sub-headings

· Descriptive title

· Introduction

· Problem/ Purpose Statement (explanation of research topic, question, and purpose)

· Significance Statement (explanation of why the research is important within Communication Studies discipline and to human communication competence or understanding generally)

· Theoretical Basis (identification and explanation of most relevant CN theory or concept) (Consult with Dr. Reynard if needed)

· Short Literature Review (at least three relevant, authoritative sources)

· Qualitative Approach and Procedures – Create sections and sub-sections for developed topics, using descriptive headings.

· Include: explanation of topic or data set, explanation and discussion of possible qualitative approach(es)

· Discussion of your chosen approach, and reasons for that choice

· Explanation of specific procedures and/or processes you will follow

· Be certain to quote and properly cite page numbers and material from Lapan, et al. to support your major points

· Definitions of course concepts, theories, and similar terms must be provided in these sections.

· Discussion of IRB, whether it is required or not and why, must be included in this section.)

· Sources (preliminary bibliography and brief literature review, 5 to 7 sources, excluding textbook). Briefly annotate each item as to:

· Its primary content or topic focus

· How it is relevant to your study

· What use you plan to make of the source

· Do include the textbook

· In your Bib, cite only the relevant pages or chapters of a text, not the entire book.)

· Timeline (detail realistically the time increments likely to develop to each step of research, writing, and presentation; the completion date for the project will be a 14-week period beginning with Week One of the semester)

· NOTE: The Timeline assumes a proposal has already been developed and accepted. DO NOT INCLUDE PROJECT-DEVELOPMENT TASKS.

FORMAT:

· Sources must be cited using APA 6th ed. style for bibliographies and internal cites

· Use business report format; for details, see posted “Business Report Format” file

· Use bullet points sparingly, if at all - Never “sub-bullet”

· Follow guidelines for headings, subheadings, and correct use of paragraphs

· Be sure to proof-read and spell-check

· Visual cues impact credibility, so appearance and mechanics “count,” as do critical thinking, use of scholarly sources, attention to detail, timeliness, and evidence of effort

ADDITIONAL DETAILS:

Please see the following web sites AND/ OR consult with Dr. Reynard to discuss any questions or ideas that arise.

Baltimore County Public Schools: http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/researchcourse/key_elements.html#problemstatement

University of Southern California: This Guide is for Social Sciences research (quantitative approaches) but much of the information will be very useful to developing your proposal for research in Humanities (qualitative approaches). http://libguides.usc.edu/content.php?pid=83009&sid=818072

See the following “EXAMPLE: Good / Bad WTE Activity Plan” for information on expectations for completing a WTE Declaration /Activity Plan

Develop your ideas and questions into talking points for the graded in-class discussion on Wednesday, December 6.