(12-15 pages, 12-point font; double-spaced; 1-inch margins)

All components should be in a SINGLE PDF DOCUMENT

I. Cover page (see cover page template on BB)

II. Introduction: Topic, Problem or Objective (1-2 pages)

a. What you plan to study

b. Why you plan to study it (significance or rationale of research)

III. Literature Review (3-5 pages)

a. What other researchers have written on this topic (ONLY FINDINGS & CRITIQUES)

b. Must Include 5 articles & 1 book

c. What contribution will your study make to the literature?

IV. Theoretical Framework + Hypothesis OR Speculations (1-2 pages)

a. Describe what paradigm/theory will you frame your research with (specify macro or micro and why)

b. Explain your choice and how this theory will help guide your explanation of the relationship between the concepts

c. Specific Hypothesis (&Null) or Speculations

d. What do you hope to find?

e. How does the literature or theory guide your hypothesis or speculations? How does your study advance the current knowledge in the literature?

V. Research Design, Measurement, Methods, and Analysis (3-4 pages)

a. Sampling design

Units of analysis:

i. Who are your subjects? Why this study population? Provide rationale?

ii. How you plan to reach subjects (including time dimension)

b. Data-Collection Method (what type of data collection method you will use: For example: survey, interviews, experiment, participant observation, primary data collection or secondary data (using a dataset), etc.)

· Define why this measurement is appropriate for addressing your RQ

· Example your recruitment strategy (e.g. flyers, an informant)

· Will you need IRB? Explain why or why not?

c. Measurement (list of key variables and how you plan to define and measure them)

i. Independent variable(s) or Characteristics

ii. Dependent variable(s) or Primary Observation

iii. Control variable(s) or Other Indirect Observations to Consider

d. List 5-10 example questions you hope to ask your respondents (e.g. survey questions or interview questions or questions from a dataset)

e. Strengths and Limitations of your Research Design

VI. Conclusion (2 pages)

a. Describe possible ethical issues with your research (potential benefits + potential harms)

b. Imagine if your hypothesis or speculations were TRUE: State what this would mean for POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS (State 3-4 policy recommendations)

c. Write suggestions for future research (State 1-2 future studies to consider)