Guidelines for Proposals

• Literature review summary. Once an initial topic is identified, the literature review can help the student identify a specific area of the topic that warrants further investigation.
• Study rationale. Has the study be done before? If so, how will your study advance the understanding of the topic area? Why is this study of interest to others?
• Study problem or purpose. What are the goals of the projects?
• Research objectives. Identify the purposes of the study. What questions will be addressed?
• Research design. An overall plan for answering the research question, including identifying strengths and weaknesses of alternative designs.
• Work plan. Identify tasks and milestones, with approximate dates, for the study.

The proposal should be developed in cooperation with a faculty adviser.