1-2 page proposal

SOC391/FAS361: Research Methods Visconti

Research Proposal Funneling Worksheet Overview: The goal of this worksheet is to help you narrow down your ideas for your proposal project. Your research proposal should include three variables: two distinct predictors and one outcome that measures academic success.

Selecting Your Predictor Variables

In the space below, brainstorm different predictor variables. Write down the things that you think influence whether or not a student will be successful in college. A few potential variables have been listed to help you get started. Study skills Family

Next, circle two of those predictors that you listed above that are most interesting to you. Then….

Predictor #1: What is the first predictor that you selected? List it here: _______________________

Now, let’s make sure that it is clear, specific, and measurable! First, is your variable clear and specific? To test this, use the space below and write a definition of your variable.

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SOC391/FAS361: Research Methods Visconti

Can you define it with just one sentence? If not, it may be too broad or complex. Does your variable contain a lot of different things? If so, you may want to narrow it down to something more specific! To do this, use the funneling method. Think about your broad topic and list the different sub-topics that are found within it below.

Select a sub-topic to be your predictor and start this section again to make sure that it is clear, specific, and measurable!

Second, is your variable measurable? Can you measure this variable by either asking questions about it or observing it? If the answer is no, this is not a good predictor to include. Consider whether you can adapt it into something that is measurable, otherwise select a different variable. Use the space below to brainstorm how you would measure your variable using observations (i.e., watching it), questionnaires (i.e., asking questions about it on paper), or interviews (i.e., asking questions about it in a conversation).

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SOC391/FAS361: Research Methods Visconti

Predictor #2: Now it is time to repeat this process for the second predictor variable that you selected on page 1! What is the second predictor that you selected? List it here: ___________________

Now let’s make sure that it is clear, specific, and measurable! First, is your variable clear and specific? To test this, use the space below and write a definition of your variable. Can you define it with just one sentence? If not, it may be too broad or complex. Does your variable contain a lot of different things? If so, you may want to narrow it down to something more specific! To do this, use the funneling method. Think about your broad topic and list the different sub-topics that are found within it below.

Select a sub-topic to be your predictor and start this section again to make sure that it is clear, specific, and measurable!

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SOC391/FAS361: Research Methods Visconti

Second, is your variable measurable? Can you measure this variable by either asking questions about it or observing it? If the answer is no, this is not a good predictor to include. Consider whether you can adapt it into something that is measurable, otherwise select a different variable. Use the space below to brainstorm how you would measure your variable using observations (i.e., watching it), questionnaires (i.e., asking questions about it on paper), or interviews (i.e., asking questions about it in a conversation).

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SOC391/FAS361: Research Methods Visconti

Selecting Your Outcome Variable Finally, select how you are going to measure academic success. First, complete this sentence: You know that a person is successful in college if they ______________ . You may want to fill in the blank several times to brainstorm ideas! List your ideas in the space below. A few ideas have been listed to get you started: Graduate Earn a 3.0 GPA

Next, choose an outcome variable that is most interesting to you or that you think best represents success in college!

Now let’s make sure that it is clear, specific, and measurable!

First, is your variable clear and specific? To test this, use the space below and write a definition of your variable. Can you define it with just one sentence? If not, it may be too broad or complex. Does your variable contain a lot of different things? If so, you may want to narrow it down to something more specific! To do this, use the funneling method. Think about your broad topic and list the different sub-topics that are found within it below.

Select a sub-topic to be your predictor and start this section again to make sure that it is clear, specific, and measurable!

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xc

xc

SOC391/FAS361: Research Methods Visconti

Second, is your variable measurable? Can you measure this variable by either asking questions about it or observing it? If the answer is no, this is not a good predictor to include. Consider whether you can adapt it into something that is measurable, otherwise select a different variable. Use the space below to brainstorm how you would measure your variable using observations (i.e., watching it), questionnaires (i.e., asking questions about it on paper), or interviews (i.e., asking questions about it in a conversation).

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