Race and Ethnic Relations
Research project proposal
Assignment:
Think of a question related to a issue related to race and ethnicity that you would like to write a research paper on. Discuss each step with respect to your proposed research project. Here are the steps. See the sample below.
Also, discuss each step as if you are going to do this research project for this class.
1. Define the problem
2. Review the existing evidence
3. Formulate a hypothesis
4. Develop a research design
5. Collect the data
6. Analyze the data
7. Develop conclusions
8. Present the findings
Due date:
Due the day of the first midterm by midnight.
How to turn in:
Turn in a copy to Canvas on the day we take midterm 1.
Point value:
This research project proposal is worth 20 points.
Considerations:
We will discuss this topic in class and you are encouraged to talk about this topic with your classmates outside of class. You can even read each other’s papers. However, simply copying and editing another person’s paper is considered plagiarism and you will, at a minimum, get a zero on this assignment. Canvas is very good at catching plagiarizers. Please do not attempt.
Resubmission policy:
Any proposal that receives a score of 18 or less can be revised and resubmitted. There is a section on Canvas where you can turn in a resubmission. You will have until the next exam to resubmit. The maximum grade for resubmissions is 19 points.
Grading rubric:
1. Covers every step
2. Demonstrates understanding of each step
3. Clearly explains how each step applies to their research topic
Sample:
Proposed research steps to be applied to the research topic: Control of children in public places
1. Define the problem
Do control strategies used by parents in public places vary by type of public place?
2. Review the existing evidence
I will search the Cuesta library databases and the internet looking for books and articles related to the control of children in public places. I will then discuss the most relevant information in the literature review section of my research paper, making sure to cite my sources. (You can largely copy this, change the part about control of children in public places.)
3. Formulate a hypothesis
Hypothesis: Parents will use more coercive strategies in situations where there is a stronger demand for good behavior.
4. Develop a research design
I will do an ethnography. I will spend time examining parents using control strategies in public places.
5. Collect the data
I will spend two hours in several different public places where there are parents and children. I will document in a notebook the control strategies observed.
6. Analyze the data
I will compare the control strategies used in restrictive places (e.g., restaurants) to control strategies used in permissive places (e.g., playground).
7. Develop conclusions
In the conclusions section of my research paper, I will discuss how my findings relate to larger issues. In particular, focusing on how my research reflects parent-child relationship dynamics in late modern society.
8. Present the findings
I will present my findings in class. (You do not have to modify this part. Just copy this sentence.)
Link to table from sample article: https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1QMmHJIB-7XEBNuKuq9Qn8wnXqru3vfEh0tCz7a0wDsg/edit?usp=sharing