Prospectus Research Assignment Outline
I.
Introduction
A.
B.
C.
D.
Opening paragraph
Brief explanation of Variable 1
Brief explanation of Variable 2
Statement of research significance
E. Purpose statement and organizational paragraph
II.
Review of Literature (Please note: you may have more variables than this).
A. Variable 1
1. Definitions and related terms (conceptual and operational)
2. Older approaches to the study of Variable 1
3. Contemporary approaches to the study of Variable 1
B. Variable 2
1. Definitions and related terms (conceptual and operational)
2. Older approaches to the study of Variable 2
3. Contemporary approaches to the study of Variable 2
C. Relationships between Variable 1 and Variable 2
1. Explanation of key study findings
a. Cluster Cluster 1
b. 2
c. ()
2. Limitations of existing studies or somehow point to need for new
investigation
D. Rationale
1. Overview of theory or argument that addresses the relationship between
Variable 1 and Variable 2 (unless you have addressed the theory in the
section above). Note: some of you may not have a theory at this point!
2. Interpretation of findings from the theoretical perspective (build from and
reinterpret items covered in point II.C. [above])
3. Explanation of how the new argument or theoretical view deals with
limitations of existing studies
4. Hypothesis or Research Question: Formally state these as predictions of
differences across categories or as statements of expected relationships,
or identify exploratory research questions