International Relations Problem Analysis Paper Proposal

Research Paper Proposal

To get started with your research paper, you need to submit a proposal. This proposal should be 1 page long (single-spaced, without citations, and the cover page). This proposal is part of your IR problem analysis paper grade. The proposal is worth 20 points. In this research paper proposal, you will pick a contemporary IR problem that you think defined the first quarter of 2021.

The contents of a research proposal

The cover page: working title, your name, and class information

Proposal page (1 page single-spaced) should include the following sections:

Topic: describe the topic of the paper. Give a bit of background information. What is interesting/significant about this topic (to society or international affairs)? Why did you pick this topic?

Thesis statement: should include a working thesis statement that states your stance on the topic. The point is to get you to start thinking about it. You can change your thesis statement later.

Method: explain some of the information that you will include in the body paragraphs of the paper. What arguments will you make in the body paragraphs? How will you structure the paper? Where will you look for information? What types of sources will you use (academic journals, newspaper websites)? Please identify specific sources.

Need to know: in order for this proposal to help you write the final paper, explain what you need to know. In other words, identify the gaps in your knowledge that you need to fill in order to write a good quality paper.

Citation: please include at least two potential sources that you will use in the final paper. Use MLA or APA format.