Assignment Instructions:

The research proposal is a final written pitch that brings together all the work you've done during the semester. Like the presentation, it should draw on the short essays you have already written, along with your presentation, and all the feedback you have received over the semester. It should embrace all the feedback you have received over the previous assignments. It should absolutely not be a copy/paste of your previous assignments, but a reimagining of your project referencing your new understanding.

Similarly to the presentation, your proposal should provide detail for all of the following:

• What is your specific research question and why is it important to you and to the field of communication?
• What literature (be sure to include at least one significant source) helps you to address and theorize your question and why is this literature significant? What do these sources bring to the conversation and what is missing that you would address?
• What worldview and methodology are you using to approach your question and why is it appropriate?
• What is the method you propose to gather and analyze your data and why is it appropriate?
• How might you share your knowledge within academia and in the community environment? In what forms?
• Who might benefit from your research, and who might be harmed?
• Try to conclude by reminding us why this question is important, or perhaps where the research might go from here.
• Research question. You have identified a specific research question and explained how that question has emerged. You have explained how your question has evolved through your learning this semester.
• Literature review. You have integrated one or two major sources from your mini-assignment. You have clearly explained how the source(s) help to inform your research question.
• Worldview and Methodology. You have identified and explained your worldview and your methodology. You have made reference to our course readings to explain and justify your choices.
• Method. You have identified a specific method in alignment with your methodology. You have explained your specific process to gather/analyze your data. You have made reference to course readings to explain and justify your choices.
• Knowledge mobilization. You have considered mobilization within the academic context specifically. You have thought about community mobilization specifically. You have made reference to our course readings to justify your choices.
• Benefits and harms. You have specifically identified the community you are researching with. You have identified some of the benefits and harms. You have considered how you might mitigate those harms. You have made reference to course readings.
• Conclusion. You have summarized why you feel this research is significant and you have suggested a next step in the research process around your question (new method, additional question).
• Style and presentation. Your essay is well structured, with attention to spelling and grammar including paragraphs. You have NOT copied and pasted from your mini-assignments.