research proposal

Initial Research Proposal Assignment Sheet

Assignment: Research Proposal with Annotated Bibliography

In Class Conferences: 2-16-26

Paper Due Date: 2-23-26

Length: 23-page Paper (double-spaced, MLA or APA format) + an Annotated Bibliography with 2 peer-reviewed sources found using the UM library website.

All right, Team Back2Back (formerly Team Phoenix). Our first major assignment is our proposal. This is 500-700 word document that introduces your topic, your research questions, and your preliminary thesis.

You are allowed to write this research paper on any topic you like, so long as you can find academic, peer-reviewed sources on the topic.

My recommendation is to try to solve a specific problem in the world. Let’s try to make the world a little better place. We can’t solve everything all at once, but we have to start somewhere. What problem would you like to solve? Consider your academic interests, your personal interests, your future career, and the issues, big or small, that are currently hurting our world. Find the intersection of them and you may very well find your unique topic.

Above all, I want you to tell me something I dont know!

Teach me something me new. Expand my mind. And remember the harder you work, the stronger we get. The healthier I get. Help me flush out the Adversarys poison!

This proposal will form the basis of your semester-long research project that will culminate in a 8-10 page final research paper so that means make sure you really like your topic!! Your proposal should reflect your curiosity, passion, and critical thinking. We will work on invention activities to find topics related to your major, future profession, and/or interested area.

Your topic/proposal must be approved by me before you can start the research project. Please try to avoid topics that have been over-discussed or are too general (marijuana, abortion, melting polar ice, gun control, recycling, bullying is bad, etc.).

Your proposal will also include two annotated peer-reviewed sources (found through the UM library or JSTOR.org) that help you begin to understand scholarly conversations around your topic.

This is an exploratory stage, so your ideas do not need to be fully formed. However, you should demonstrate thoughtful engagement with your topic and a clear sense of direction. Consider the scope of your topic – your focus must be manageable for a semester-long project (for example climate change is too broad!).

Instructions and Check List:

Part 1: Research Proposal Paper (2 – 3 pages)

Your paper should address the following components:

Introduction to the Wicked Problem
1. Briefly introduce the wicked problem youve chosen. Why is it complex, multifaceted, and difficult to solve?
2. Explain why this problem matters to you. How does it intersect with your major, discipline, and/or personal interests?
3. Why should others care about this problem? What makes it significant or urgent?
Research Focus and Preliminary Questions
1. Narrow your focus: What specific aspect of the wicked problem do you want to explore? Consider intersections with your major/discipline (see point b above).
2. Propose 23 preliminary research questions. These questions should be open-ended and exploratory, not yes/no questions. For example:
  1. What are the root causes of [specific issue]?
  2. How does [specific factor] contribute to [wicked problem]?
  3. What are the potential solutions to [specific aspect of the problem], and what are their limitations?
3. Methodology and Approach
  1. How do you plan to explore your topic? Will you focus on context, current debates, case studies, or something else?
  2. What types of sources might you use as you develop your research beyond the proposal (e.g., scholarly articles, news or magazine articles, blogs, TED talks, reports, interviews, survey data)? Although you will need to use 2 peer-reviewed scholarly sources for this proposal, you may branch out to use other types of sources as the project develops.
4. Conclusion: Bringing home the Purpose and Significance
  1. What do you hope to achieve through your research?
  2. What do you want your audience to take away from your work?

Part 2: Research Journal (this will have its own post on Canvas)

Research Journal: Find two peer-reviewed sources (you must use the UM library) that are relevant to your topic. Print your sources and engage with them by highlighting and making comments on the pages. (You will upload pdfs of your sources to Canvas with highlights and written comments). You should also keep a Research Journal Document with a formal citation, summary, and Notes and Quotes section for each source in your workbook. This will also make your life easier.

Yes this is all handwritten. Trust me, its better.

Part 3: Annotated bibliography

Place the annotated bibliography at the bottom of your proposal paper in alphabetical order do not number the sources. Each annotation should be 150 200 words total (summary, evaluation, and reflection) and include the following:

Formal Citation, MLA or APA
Summary
1. Briefly summarize the source. What is the main argument or purpose? What topics or ideas does it cover?
Evaluation
1. Assess the credibility and relevance of the source. What is the journal or publisher? What kind of research and data does it use? What bias might it have?
Reflection
1. Explain how this source connects to your research topic. How will it help you explore your research questions? Does it raise new questions or ideas for you?

Tips for Success

Choosing a Wicked Problem

Pick something youre genuinely curious about. Passion will fuel your research!
Look for problems that have multiple perspectives.
Consider how your major or discipline might inform your approach. For example:

Writing the Proposal

Be clear and concise. Avoid jargon or overly complex language.
Show enthusiasm for your topic. Let your voice come through!
Remember, this is the starting point. Its okay if your ideas evolve later.

Finding and Annotating Sources

Use the UM library databases to find peer-reviewed sources. library.miami.edu
Use the librarys Ask a Librarian Chat and/or schedule a session with a librarian to work on your research!
Look for sources that offer different perspectives on your topic.
Take notes as you read. Highlight key arguments, evidence, and questions (annotating your document).
Be specific in your annotations. Avoid vague statements like This source is useful.

Assessment Criteria/Goals

Clarity and Focus: Is your topic well-defined and appropriately narrowed?
Engagement with the Wicked Problem: Do you demonstrate a thoughtful understanding of the issue?
Research Questions: Are your questions clear, open-ended, and relevant?
Annotations: Do your annotations summarize, evaluate, and reflect on the sources effectively?
Formatting and Mechanics: Is your proposal well-organized and clear?

Requirements:

WRITE MY PAPER