The proposal should contain at least 5 articles published in scholarly, peer-reviewed journals.
These articles serve as the foundation of the literature review, which serves as the basis for your
research. The proposal should include:
1. Introduction – This should satisfy the reader about the “so what?” question.
2. Theoretical Rationale / Framework – Remember that theories have names (see p. 2).
3. Literature Review – Establish your credibility as a researcher in your topic area.
4. Hypothesis or hypotheses – Derive your hypothesis(es) explicitly from the logic of your
theory(ies).
5. Research Design
a. Discuss the key concepts and how they will be operationalized.
b. Identify dependent and independent variables.
6. Methods and Data Analysis
a. Identify data collection methods to be used.
i. Will you collect primary data? If so, include survey, focus group or
interview questions (protocol) in appendix.
ii. Will you use secondary data? Is so, what data set?
b. Discuss how you will analyze the data and why you selected this approach.
c. Describe the limitations of your method and/or data.
7. Conclusion
a. What do you expect to find?
b. What does it propose to contribute to the greater body of knowledge about your
topic?
c. Discuss expected contributions in the context of what you said in the introduction.