Reference no: EM133202031

Purpose:

What is the background to your topic and its relevance or significance to your reading public? Why is this topic important? What is your personal interest in this topic? This should also include an initial version of your thesis statement.

Areas of Investigation and Scope:

What are the main areas of your topic you expect to explore? What general perspectives or opposing standpoints on the topic do you expect to uncover? This would be an elaboration of the points made in your thesis statement, and an indication of the depth or substance of your research.

What are the techniques or persuasive strategies that you expect to uncover in the resources you find?

Research Methods:

What resources are you planning to use? Will you be using library database searches, government documents, company websites, personal interviews or information from other sources? 

What are some of the specific search terms or keywords you would search for in the databases or on the web? You could speak with, or email the librarians for resource help here. Remember, your sources must be credible, or else you need to warn your readers of possible bias.

Have you uncovered any articles, books or other resources on the topic to date that have stimulated your interest? If so, indicate how they have impacted your interest, and include them as an initial list of references 

Timeline for Research Project:

How will you approach the actual research and writing of this project, and what is your plan or timeline for completing it? Be realistic about how much time you expect to spend on each phase.

Request for Approval:

Make a formal request to have your topic approved and to provide any feedback.

Annotated Bibliography:

Provide a list of six (6) to eight (8) sources that you intend to use in your research.  With each source, be sure to provide your own description/summary of the information contained within the source.  Please note that items listed in the annotated bibliography do not have to be maintained in your final paper's reference list.

Sample Entry for an Annotated Bibliography:

Analysis of data gathered by the Project on Human Development in Chicago Neighborhoods indicates that although racial and socioeconomic inequalities are relevant factors, they are not the singular or primary influences on neighborhood crime. Findings suggest that neighborhood violence is predicted by measures of informal social control, social cohesion and trust, and perceptions of violence. Consistent with the social organization model, collective efficacy is shown to mediate the influence of residential stability in predicting neighborhood violence.