Proposal

INTRODUCTION/RESEARCH AIMS: For research project, the topic I chose was ‘Serial Killers’, focusing on the
warning signs exhibited. As I have an interest in true crime, something regarding that category was of interest.
Serial Killers, Mass Murderers and False Confessions were considered and originally, ‘Mass Murderers’ was
chosen. However, due to a lack of information changed this topic, resulting in ‘Serial Killers’ to be the focus. My
goal for this project was to create a question to better guide my research and show any potential links between
serial killers and their crimes, with the aim to identify future killers before they commit murder. By comparing
two killers and the warning signs exhibited, similarities would outline potential information to identify killers,
contributing to the field of research as all the information would be collected and in the same place. This led me
to the question, ‘What can we learn from John Wayne Gacy and Archibald Hall that can help identify future
serial killers before they commit murder’.

REFINING/DEFINING QUESTION: Initially, for my original topic was , ‘Mass Murderers’, and my main question
was ‘What warning signs are present amongst Mass Murderers?’. This was later refined to ‘The Comparison of
Influences between American and European Mass Murderers’, focusing on the 2016 Kalamazoo shootings,
Graz car attack, by using multiple lotus diagrams to select the focus that would include the most information
and parameters to add onto the question. The sub-questions, ‘What is the definition of a Mass Murderer?,
What are the influences to Mass Murderers?, Do all Mass Murderers have similar influences?’ were created to
further guide my research of the topic and refine information, helping to answer the main question.

After the topic had been changed from ‘Mass Murderers’ to ‘Serial Killers’ due to a lack of information, the main
question was switched to ‘What warning signs can identify future Serial Killers?’. Later, this was refined to
‘What can we learn from John Wayne Gacy and Archibald Hall that can help identify future serial killers before
they commit murder’, using multiple lotus diagrams to select the focus, parameters that would add to the
question and researching killers that would suit the category and include enough information. Sub-questions,
‘What is the definition of a Serial Killer?, What are the warning signs of a Serial Killer?, Do all Serial Killers
exhibit warning signs?’ and ’What warning signs did John Wayne Gacy exhibit?, What warning signs did
Archibald Hall exhibit?’ were created to refine and acquire further information on the topic, helping answer the
main question.

CAPABILITY: The capability that best suits this project is critical and creative thinking. Critical and creative
thinking will be needed to effectively research information and will be used and developed throughout the
project when applying knowledge and understanding from a range of resources. I will use a variety of research
methods to obtain and ensure correct information is used, clarifying and evaluating information.

ETHIC/SAFETY CONSIDERATIONS: Due to the theme of this topic, ethical and safety considerations will need
to be included. Secondary trauma may be a possibility, to reduce this, participants involved in surveys will have
voluntary participation and the right to withdraw and witnesses and victims will remain anonymous. The survey
participants will know the survey topic, have voluntary participation and anonymity and all information/research
used will be credited and referenced.

PROCESS/TIMELINE: To properly answer my question ‘What can we learn from John Wayne Gacy and
Archibald Hall that can help identify future serial killers before they commit murder’, I will need to acquire
information from both primary and secondary sources. Initially, information will be gathered from various
secondary sources, such as websites or books, to acquire prior knowledge and understanding of the topic.
After a collection of information has been documented, the primary source will be the focus of research and a
survey will be created to obtain additional opinions and statistics.

OUTCOME: The predicted answer for my main question ‘What can we learn from John Wayne Gacy and
Archibald Hall that can help identify future serial killers before they commit murder’, is that common warning
signs, such as previous criminal activities or psychopathic tendencies, may indicate the possibility of a potential
serial killer. These findings will be presented in the form of an essay, this will ensure the information will be
structured clearly and allow me to present the findings from the primary and secondary sources and the
analyses in an organised manner, contributing to the field of research as the information gathered will be
collected and structured in the same place, outlining important information.