Research Proposal Guidelines Feminist Theory Prof.

Ross Spring 2014 The research proposal should consist of two parts: 1) an overview of the project and statement of possible thesis or research questions; and 2) an preliminary annotated bibliography. The overview should be no longer than two double spaced pages; the overview should clearly state which option for the research paper you are completing. !t should also provide a description of your research topic and a clear and concise statement of your thesis at the end. !f you do not yet have a firm thesis in mind" you should list the #ey research questions you plan to as# that will lead to a thesis. $emember: this is to be a thesis driven paper so all of your research should proceed toward that end. The second part of the proposal should be an annotated bibliography with at least eight sources. !f you are completing option 1" you should include your cultural artifact as one source; if you are completing option 2" you should include at least four primary sources. %ou should annotate four of the sources. The annotation should provide a brief summary &one paragraph) of the wor# and its value to your research. %ou should include the following information in each annotation: 1. ' one sentence statement of what the boo# or article is about" including a statement of the author(s thesis. 2. ' brief description of the author and his or her qualifications. ). ' brief description of the evidence the author uses to support his or her thesis. *. 'n evaluation of the author(s use of these sources +. ' brief discussion of the value of the wor# for your paper. ,ntries should conform to a bibliographic citation style of your choosing; please be consistent. The bibliographic entries should be single spaced but the remainder of the te-t should be double spaced. !n addition to grammar and construction" this assignment will be graded on thoroughness of conception" choice of sources" clarity of thesis" and completeness of annotations. .erely listing boo#s and summaries without thin#ing through the project as a whole will not result in a high grade. The proposal must demonstrate that you have read the sources you have included in the bibliography. The more evidence that you can display that you have read the wor#s and thought about the project the better. !f you articulate a thesis the substance of the annotations should prove the thesis. !f you have research questions the annotations should provide preliminary answers. /or e-ample" if your thesis is that .artin 0uther 1ing was the most popular blac# leader" your annotation for an article would include a statement li#e" 23ones4 article contains e-tensive polling data. This data clearly shows that 1ing was far more popular than any other leader.5 This assignment is your roadmap for the paper and it should read that way. ! should be able to read this proposal and be convinced that your research question has been well thought and designed and that you have begun considering how you will answer the question. Than#s to 6lenn .c7air.