Paper Assignment: Preliminary Proposal for a Qualitative Undergraduate Capstone Project

OBJECTIVES:

• To demonstrate understanding of approaches to qualitative research covered this semester
• To select an appropriate text or data as the focus for a research project using one of these approaches
• To develop an appropriate framework for developing a qualitative research project using this text or data
• To create a Preliminary Proposal for a qualitative Capstone project which can be used in a WTE Declaration & Activity Plan

CONTENT: Required Elements (business report format; APA for internal citations and bibliography)

Develop each of these topics in this order; use descriptive headings and sub-headings

• Descriptive title

• Introduction

• Problem/ Purpose Statement (explanation of research topic, question, and purpose)

• Significance Statement (explanation of why the research is important within Communication Studies discipline and to human communication competence or understanding generally)

• Theoretical Basis (identification and explanation of most relevant CN theory or concept) (Consult with Dr. Reynard if needed)

• Short Literature Review (at least three relevant, authoritative sources)

• Qualitative Approach and Procedures - Create sections and sub-sections for developed topics, using descriptive headings.

o Include: explanation of topic or data set, explanation and discussion of possible qualitative approach(es)
o Discussion of your chosen approach, and reasons for that choice
o Explanation of specific procedures and/or processes you will follow
o Be certain to quote and properly cite page numbers and material from Lapan, et al. to support your major points
o Definitions of course concepts, theories, and similar terms must be provided in these sections.
o Discussion of IRB, whether it is required or not and why, must be included in this section.)

• Sources (preliminary bibliography and brief literature review, 5 to 7 sources, excluding textbook). Briefly annotate each item as to:

o Its primary content or topic focus
o How it is relevant to your study
o What use you plan to make of the source
o Do include the textbook
o In your Bib, cite only the relevant pages or chapters of a text, not the entire book.)

• Timeline (detail realistically the time increments likely to develop to each step of research, writing, and presentation; the completion date for the project will be a 14-week period beginning with Week One of the semester)

• NOTE: The Timeline assumes a proposal has already been developed and accepted. DO NOT INCLUDE PROJECT-DEVELOPMENT TASKS.

FORMAT:

• Sources must be cited using APA 6th ed. style for bibliographies and internal cites
• Use business report format; for details, see posted "Business Report Format" file
• Use bullet points sparingly, if at all - Never "sub-bullet"
• Follow guidelines for headings, subheadings, and correct use of paragraphs
• Be sure to proof-read and spell-check
• Visual cues impact credibility, so appearance and mechanics "count," as do critical thinking, use of scholarly sources, attention to detail, timeliness, and evidence of effort.

Attachment:- Paper-Proposal-Assignment.rar