Genres in Academic Writing: Research proposals

At the undergraduate level, you may be asked to write a research proposal before a major piece of writing (such as an end of year project or a final year thesis). The purpose of the proposal is to show how you intend to tackle the study and whether or not you have thought through the practicalities.

It will probably cover some or all of the following broad dimensions:

- Preliminary title. What is the topic? What exactly is the research question?
- What exactly do you hope to find out? What is the purpose of your work? Describe your research problem. What are your aims and objectives?
- Why the research is important? What new knowledge will your research provide, and to whom will that knowledge be important?
- What do you already know about this topic? What is already known or believed about the topic? What does the existing literature suggest, and how will this research fill in the gaps in the existing knowledge or correct exiting beliefs?
- How will the research be conducted? How do you propose to conduct your research? What methods will you employ and how long do you believe it will take to collect your data?
- What sources/resources will be needed? What resources will you need to collect your data (equipment, materials, etc.)?
- How will the findings be useful? How will you report the results of your research (academic paper; lecture; etc.) What are the practical implications for the field of your research?
- References. This includes full references to all the works you have cited in your proposal and may also include a preliminary reading list. This gives some idea of the reading you have already done.

There are many types of research proposals. The format I'm suggesting here for your DCE proposal is the following:

Title/Topic

Should provide a brief description of research. Ex:
"Topic: Ravelry

I'll be studying Ravelry, an online community devoted to fiber crafts. The social media site has existed since the spring of 2007. Because it is an online site, all communication between members happens through writing in an electronic environment. In addition, the site includes images. Members maintain profile pages where they can upload descriptions of projects they've working on or have completed. There are also online discussion forums related to a wide variety of topics (not necessarily craft-related), and

a database of knitting and crochet patterns. The site is free to users and carries only
advertising of potential interest to the members."

Method

Describe your proposed research methodologies and a time frame. Ex:

"Methods: Interview/Observation

I plan to focus on a specific genre of the community: the 'project page.' I intend to interview four members of the community: two long-time members and two new members. I want to find out what they include on their own project pages and whether and how they use other members' project pages.

I also plan to observe and record activity on the site for thirty minutes on two separate occasions-once on a weekend evening and once in the middle of a weekday.

So far I've scheduled three of my interviews; they'll be happening the weekend before the response draft is due. My fourth interview subject was not available before the first draft of the project is due.

I will observe the site on Thursday afternoon and on Saturday evening."

Background/ Experience/Interest

Describe your own relationship to the community and your interest in it. Ex:
"Background/Experience/Interest: I've been an active member of this online community for nine years and was one of the earlier adopters. My involvement in the community has fluctuated over time, but I would say that today I check the site at least three or four times a week for recent posts. I have a number of friends who also use the site, both RL friends and "virtual" friends I've met through our shared involvement with the site.

I plan to focus on one specific genre of the site because I think it's a genre that's unique to this online community. I hope to learn more about how members use the genre to promote the goals of the group, or how this genre reflects the values of the group."