Research Proposal Memo

You will compose a 1-page, type-written research proposal memo on a business communication topic, which will provide the basis for other assignments, including a 5-7-page research paper, information graphic, and research presentation. To identify a potential research topic, look at the list of approved topics. You can also get an overview of all the related assignments.

Since you will be spending a large part of the semester working with this topic, it should be interesting to you. It should also be interesting to the audience. Some aspects that make a topic interesting include when it challenges conventional wisdom, offers good examples, and has real-world application. Be prepared to explain how your topic relates to a business communication problem in an industry, organization, or profession and addresses any of the criteria that make the topic interesting.

• Advantages of medium: A memo is pithy form of communication. It provides a written record that can be read/re-read at any time by recipients. Writers have time to prepare and edit responses.
• Limitations of medium: A memo is often text-based (though it can have images or graphics), and relies only on few cues (mostly visual, but can also be read aloud by a screen reader). Space constraints can create less opportunity for depth on the subject. The writer has limited opportunities for immediate feedback to reduce misunderstandings, but asynchronous feedback is possible. As with all static written communication, a memo can create more psychological distance (compared to other forms) between the writer and her/his audience.

In addition to the memo, please answer the following questions in a separate document:

Communication Consideration	Explanation
Message: How did you select and incorporate credible sources? How did you organize information in message? What did you do to ensure that your message is clear, efficient, and cohesive?
Audience: Who is your intended audience? What do you know about them? What did you do to engage the audience?
Medium: How did you maximize the benefits, and minimize or overcome the limitations of the channel?
Context: How did you communicate appropriately for the setting/context and create a positive identity as a business professional?
Results: What is the purpose of your message? What is/are the expectation(s) for your audience? What did you do to convey and reinforce the purpose and expectations to achieve your desired results?