Checklist for Research Proposal

[   ]  The entire document is double-spaced (one column, no right justified).

[   ]  The proposal is proofread with attention to the logic of your argument.

[   ]  The proposal is proofread and checked for clarity, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.

[   ]  Articles to which you refer are NOT quoted directly. No plagiarism.

[   ]  Literature is cited properly, both in the narrative and references section (using the format of the journals we have read in which the references are embedded in the narrative, e.g. Jones et al, 2013)

The proposal is organized with the following sections:

[   ] Title

[   ] Introduction-each sentence has content and specificity.  No extraneous sentences.

            -What is your question?

            -What is the context/significance of your question (cite at least 4 primary sources)?

            -A specific prediction will enhance your proposal and must be supported by prior research/mechanisms (I predict that…because…); if you do not have a particular        
            prediction (e.g. what is the relationship between x and y) describe possible results and the underlying mechanisms

[   ] Methods-each sentence has content and specificity.  No extraneous sentences.

            -Given your question, what will your methods be?

            -What will you measure?
            -What are your independent and dependent variables?

            -Use diagrams if appropriate

[   ] Analysis- each sentence has content and specificity.  No extraneous sentences.

            -How will you analyze the data you collect?

            -What are your independent and dependent variables?

            -Given your question, include putative graphs (if you don’t have a particular prediction, generate graphs that indicate a particular response).

            -You may use hand-drawn graphs (neatly drawn; use a ruler; label axes)

[    ] References-in the format of any of the journals we have read in which the references are embedded in the narrative, e.g. (Jones et al, 2013).

[   ]  The proposal is submitted as an attachment (.doc or .docx not pdf ) to Sherman@bennington.edu no later than 5:00 pm, April 6, 2018.