INLS
781 – Proposal Development - Fall 2014 (1.5 credits)
Fridays,
9:00am – 11:45am
Manning Hall,
Room 001
Class runs
from August 22nd – September 26th
Dr. Brian Sturm
Office: Manning Hall #215-A (962-2460)
Office Hours: Drop-in or by appointment
This class is a 1.5-credit
hour course designed to prepare students for writing a research or project
proposal as the precursor to their master’s paper or project. By design it is more of a collaborative
mentorship between each student and the professor, but the class periods will
include peer learning, small group work, and limited lecture. All work, both in-class and out-of-class, is
geared to further each student’s individual proposals. Each student, then, will be pursuing unique –
though related – areas of interest, and the class period will serve as time to
share questions, ideas, and problems.
Please come to class prepared to work further on your own project and
bounce ideas off your colleagues and professor.
Graduate students in their
third semester as full-time students or in the semester preceding the one in
which they plan to write their master’s paper.
INLS 581 – Research Methods
Overview is a prerequisite for this course.
By
the end of the class, students should be able to:
·
Express the functions of a research proposal.
·
Understand the general framework of a research
proposal and critique its component parts.
·
Design a literature review that supports and frames a
research area.
·
Formulate a concise and focused research question.
·
Select and justify their choice of research method(s)
for their proposed study.
Required
Text
Punch, K. F. (2007). Developing effective research proposals (2nd ed.). London, England: Sage.
Additional
Readings:
http://ils.unc.edu/courses/2014_fall/inls781_002/781-additionalreadings.html
UNC Honor Code
It
is your responsibility to read the Honor Code, which can be found online at: http://instrument.unc.edu/instrument.text.html. Here are a
few pieces that are relevant to your course work and conduct:
A.
General Responsibilities
It
shall be the responsibility of every student at the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill to:
1. Obey and support the enforcement of the Honor Code;
2. Refrain from lying, cheating, or stealing;
3. Conduct themselves so as not to impair significantly the welfare or the
educational opportunities of others in the University community; and
4. Refrain from conduct that impairs or may impair the capacity of University
and associated personnel to perform their duties, manage resources, protect the
safety and welfare of members of the University community, and maintain the
integrity of the University.
It shall be the responsibility of every student
enrolled at the University of North Carolina to support the principles of
academic integrity and to refrain from all forms of academic dishonesty including,
but not limited to, the following:
1. Plagiarism in the form of deliberate or reckless
representation of another’s words, thoughts, or ideas as one’s own without
attribution in connection with submission of academic work, whether graded or
otherwise.
2. Falsification, fabrication, or misrepresentation of data, other information,
or citations in connection with an academic assignment, whether graded or
otherwise.
3. Unauthorized assistance or unauthorized collaboration in connection with academic
work, whether graded or otherwise.
4. Cheating on examinations or other academic assignments, whether graded or
otherwise, including but not limited to the following: (a) Using unauthorized
materials and methods (notes, books, electronic information, telephonic or
other forms of electronic communication, or other sources or methods), or (b)
Representing another’s work as one’s own.
5. Violating procedures pertaining to
the academic process, including but not limited to the following: (a)
Violating or subverting requirements governing administration of examinations
or other academic assignments; (b) Compromising the security of examinations or
academic assignments; or (c) Engaging in other actions that compromise the
integrity of the grading or evaluation process.
Professional Conduct
In addition to the UNC Honor Code, I expect that you
will demonstrate integrity and professionalism in your participation in this
course, and in the fulfillment of all of your course assignments. This includes
completing the assigned readings on the dates they are due, attending class
sessions, dedicating adequate time for your participation (both in-class and
out-of-class), and putting forth effort, care and thought in preparing your
written assignments. I also expect you
to show respect for all members of this course and all comments and questions
posed by them.
Grading
[H]
High Pass (95% - 100%) |
Truly
outstanding work that goes well-beyond the requirements specified in the
assignment description. This is a mark of distinction. Very few papers will receive this
grade. |
[P]
Pass (80% - 94%) |
Papers
that receive this grade will meet all or most of the requirements specified
in the assignment description. Work that is quite good will receive this grade
because of the large range. Most papers will receive a score in this grade
range. All scores in this range are
completely acceptable, although if you are towards the low end, you might
want to speak with me about how to improve your work in the future. |
[L]
Low Pass (70% - 79%) |
Papers
that receive this grade are barely acceptable. I usually do not assign this grade.
If your paper is a disorganized mess or if you have clearly missed the
mark, then I will assign you a temporary grade and ask you to do it
over. A ‘do-over’ at this level will
not receive a grade higher than the lowest grade received by someone who did
not have the do-over option. |
[F]
Fail (0% - 69%) |
Papers
that receive this grade are unacceptable and meet very few (if any) of the
requirements specified in the assignment description. This is another grade that I usually do not assign. Instead, I will
assign you a temporary grade and ask you to re-do the assignment. A ‘do-over’ at this level will not receive
a grade higher than the lowest grade received by someone who did not have the
do-over option. |
Course
Outline
1. Definitions, Functions, and
Framework for Research Proposals
2. Writing Effective Research
Questions
3. Designing a Literature
Review
4. Selecting an Appropriate Research
Method
5. Research Ethics
Class
Schedule
August 22nd
Proposal Frameworks
Topic: Purpose and organization of a research proposal;
overview of “keyhole” model; theoretical frameworks for your research; overview
of faculty research
Readings:
Punch, K.F. (2007). Developing Effective Research Proposals. Sage.
o Chapter 1, Introduction
o Chapter 2, The proposal -- Readers,
expectations and functions
o Chapter 7, Tactics
o Appendix 2, Questions to guide proposal
development
In-class:
1.
We
will begin with an overview of the readings and questions that they raised for
you.
2.
We
will then move to a brief overview of a proposal’s purpose and organizational
structure.
3.
We
will take some time to write a paragraph or two discussing your initial ideas
for your research: topic area(s), possible data sources, and questions that
interest you.
4.
We
will then share these ideas in small groups to elicit peer feedback.
5.
You
will have a bit more time to make changes to your ideas, and then you will
email your ideas to the professor at the end of class
August 29th
Research Questions
Topic:
Research questions: identifying, formulating, and positioning the question in
relevant theory; BRING TO
CLASS one example of a past master's paper that could serve as a model for
your work (search for master’s papers in the Carolina
Digital Repository)
Readings:
Punch, K.F. (2007). Developing effective
research proposals. London: Sage. [Chapter 3, A General
Framework for Developing Proposals]
Wildemuth, B.M. (2009). Applications
of social research methods to questions in information & library science.
Westport, Conn: Libraries Unlimited.
[Chapter 2, Developing a research question]. SILS library reserve.
Agee,
J. (2009). Developing
qualitative research questions: a reflective process. International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, 22(4), 431–447.
In-class:
1. We will begin with a review of your
research ideas from last week
2. We will have a brief overview of the
readings
3. We will discuss how to frame a research
question
4. We will then form small groups based on
related topic areas and share our chosen master’s papers. Explain its basic structure, its relation to
your proposed research, and any other benefits you draw from it (style, clarity,
length, etc.). Also look for any glaring
problems you see with that study. Then
share your ideas for your own study. The
point here is not only to get your ideas aired, but for everyone in the group
to challenge each other with questions and concerns. You’re trying to help each other avoid major
pitfalls down the line.
5. Then we will take some time to write a
draft research question for your own study.
Once everyone has a draft, we will share those with your groups for
feedback and exploration.
ASSIGNMENT 1: Draft Introduction/conceptual
framework
September 5th
The Literature Review
Topic: Literature
Reviews: identifying pertinent literature and organizing/presenting it for
reading ease. Please BRING YOUR LAPTOPS so you
can search relevant databases
Readings:
1. Punch, Chapter 4, The role of theory and
dealing with the literature
2. Randolph, J. J. (2009). A guide to writing the
dissertation literature review. Practical
Assessment, Research and Evaluation, 14(13).
3. Webster, J., & Watson, R.T. (2002). Analyzing
the past to prepare for the future: Writing a literature review. MIS
Quarterly, 26(2), xiii-xxiii.
Further Readings if you wish [on reserve at SILS
library]:
1. Fink, A. (2010). Conducting
research literature reviews: from internet to paper. Los Angeles, CA:
Sage. [Chapter 1]. SILS library reserve.
2. Ridley, D. (2012). The
literature review: a step-by-step guide for students (2nd ed.). Los Angeles, CA: Sage. [Chapter 3]. SILS library reserve.
In-class:
1. We will begin with a broad discussion of
resources available for you to explore in building your literature review and
quickly review the readings.
2. We will then break into groups based on
topic areas and spend the first part of class working on our literature
reviews, searching databases, and comparing notes with our groups. The idea, here, is not to work alone, but to help
each other with search strategies, brainstorming search terms, and working
collaboratively on your own and each other’s projects; it’s the “many hands
make lighter work” approach.
3. Dr. Barbara Wildemuth will conclude the
class by offering us her specialized “searching workshop.”
ASSIGNMENT 2: Draft Research Questions
September 12th
Research Methods and Data Collection
Contact
potential faculty advisors this week and get a commitment from one by September
26th
Topic:
Research Methods: identifying an appropriate method and collecting your data
Readings:
1.
Punch, Chapter 5,
Methods
2.
An Overview of
Quantitative and Qualitative Research Data Collection Methods (National
Science Foundation)
3.
If you are doing qualitative
research, please read;
Marshall, C. & Rossman,
G. B. (2011). Designing qualitative research (5th ed.). London, England: Sage. [Chapter 6, Primary Data Collection Methods].
SILS library reserve and Sakai: Methods Readings folder
4.
If you are doing quantitative
research, please read:
Maxim, P. S. (1999). Quantitative research methods in the social sciences.
Oxford, England: Oxford University Press. [Chapter 12, Data Collection Methods
and Measurement Errors] SILS library
reserve and Sakai: Methods Readings
folder
See also: additional
method readings
Here is a link to a high school tutorial
on research proposals to build your methods section of the proposal; in
particular, you may find these two links useful (use these if you find them
helpful, but we will not be using this particular process in class):
Crafting the Proposal: III. The Methodology
(Qualitative)
Crafting the Proposal: III. The Methodology
(Quantitative)
In-class:
1. We will begin with a short overview of
the relative merits of quantitative and qualitative methods, but this should be
review from INLS 580, and discuss the readings.
2. We will break into small groups, this
time based on method, to explore why you feel your chosen method is most
appropriate and brainstorm other possibilities that might work as well (or
better). Also discuss the relative
strengths and weaknesses of your chosen method of data collection.
ASSIGNMENT 3: Draft Literature Review Search
Plan
September 19th
Data Analysis and Presentation
Topic: Research
Methods: analyzing your data and organizing/presenting it for the proposal
Readings:
For those working with qualitative data:
Wildemuth,
B.M. (2009). Applications of social research methods to
questions in information & library science. Westport, Conn:
Libraries Unlimited. [Chapter 30, Qualitative analysis of content]. SILS library reserve
See also: additional
method readings
For those working with quantitative data, select most useful
chapter from:
Wildemuth,
B.M. (2009). Applications of social research methods to
questions in information & library science. Westport, Conn:
Libraries Unlimited.
Chapter 33, Descriptive statistics
Chapter 34, Frequencies, cross-tabulation, and the chi-square
statistic
Chapter 36, Correlation
Chapter 37, Comparing means: t tests and analysis
of variance SILS library reserve
See also: additional
method readings
In-class:
1. We will discuss briefly the organization
of a methods chapter in a proposal and discuss any questions from the readings.
2. We will then break into small groups, again
based on method, and spend the rest of the class period working on our methods
sections and sharing with the members of the group.
ASSIGNMENT 4: Draft Literature Review
September 26th
Research Ethics & Synthesizing the Proposal
Topic:
Ethics and Morality in Research, IRB issues
Readings:
1. Punch, Chapter 6, Writing the proposal
2. Select one or two of the readings most pertinent to
you from those in the Sakai folder labeled “Ethics Readings,” or find a more
pertinent one of your own and bring it to class to share and discuss.
In-class:
1.
We
will begin with a review of the readings.
2.
This
should merge into a discussion of ethical considerations in data collection and
in working with human subjects, and issues of transparency and dissenting opinions
in presenting your work.
3.
We
can do an optional Institutional Review Board (IRB) workshop for those who wish
it.
Notify
instructor of paper advisor acceptance
ASSIGNMENT 5: Draft Methods
October 10th
(two weeks later)
ASSIGNMENT 6: Final Proposal (in Microsoft
Word format, NOT as a .pdf) due to professor via email
Assignments
The purpose of this course
is to help you design and develop your research proposal or project for your
master’s capstone experience (INLS 992).
As such, my feedback to you will include commentary on each of your
draft sections, but the grading
will be on the finished product only.
This final product
(Assignment #6) will consist of three chapters:
1. Introduction (synthesizing
Assignments #1 and #2) that includes:
a. a short background to your
area of interest
b. your conceptual framework
and rationale for conducting this research (i.e., the need)
c. your research questions
2. Literature Review (revised
and expanded Assignment #4, building on Assignment #3)
3. Methods (revised and
expanded Assignment #5)
Grading for this class will
be as follows:
4.
Master’s Paper/Project Proposal (85%)
5.
Class Participation (15%)
Assignment Descriptions:
1. Draft Introduction Chapter
Research
proposals (and their subsequent studies) begin by elaborating the broad context
for the study. This is usually a
two-three paragraph overview of the general topic area to “set the stage” for
understanding the research. It helps the
reader see the big picture of your topic, and it should include a very brief
discussion of one or two relevant theories to help “situate” your study in its
broader theoretical context.
2. Draft Research Question(s)
This
should be an initial attempt to frame your research as a question that you want
to try to answer. Make sure it is a
question! Make sure you can answer that
question in a semester (keep it focused).
Think about what kind of data you will need to answer that question, and
ensure that you phrase the question such that your proposed data source(s) can
answer it.
3. Literature Review Search
Plan
This
is an outline of the sources (print, databases, etc.) you plan to use to search
for your background literature, and a two-sentence rationale for including each
source. Your rationale should show that
you understand the scope of each source and its potential relevance to your
research area.
4. Draft Literature Review
Your
draft of the literature review should be a 4-6 page overview of background
literature that pertains to your study.
This is not just a listing and overview of these background readings,
but a synthesis of them into a
coherent essay (often divided into increasingly specific subheadings). This structured
approach creates a literature review that leads the reader from the broad
introduction of the topic to the focused research question(s) that
follows.
Example
1: Let’s say you were doing research on
public librarians’ perceptions of “floating collection” practices in North
Carolina. You might organize your literature
review with the following sub-headings:
·
Circulation practices/collection development in public libraries
(general)
·
“Floating collections” in public libraries (more specific)
·
“Floating collections” in North Carolina (most specific)
OR
You may have three different
areas that need to be addressed that don’t move from the general to the
specific, but all are needed to understand your study:
·
Community needs reflected in library collections (general)
·
“Floating collections” in public libraries (general)
·
Librarian satisfaction studies (general)
Example 2: Let’s say you
were doing research on the credibility of crowd-sourced, metadata tags in
health information. You might organize
your literature review with the following subheadings:
·
Overview of ways to organize digital information (general)
·
Meta-data, benefits and drawbacks (more specific)
·
Professional metadata vs. user tagging (more specific)
·
User tagging in health information (most specific)
5. Draft Methods
Your
methods chapter should consist of three parts:
1. A short overview of your
chosen method including citations to 2-3 general methodology texts (perhaps
discussing quantitative and qualitative methods), and 2-3 background readings
about your specific, chosen method. This
introduction shows that you have done enough background reading to understand
the major issues and challenges related to your research method.
2. A “Data Collection” section
in which you describe how you will define the population you wish to address,
how you will determine your sample (a subset of that population), and what
criteria and processes you will follow to generate your sample to study.
3. A “Data Analysis” section in which you
describe how you intend to analyze the data you gather, what “lenses” you will
use to examine your data, and any potential problems with your method that
might skew the results.
6. Final Proposal
This is the culmination of
your work this semester. It should take
into account what you discuss with your colleagues in class, the feedback I
give you on your assignments, and ongoing reading you are doing. I want to see that you are actively thinking
and revising your work, so incorporate my feedback, but don’t stop there. The more work you do now, the greater start
you will have on your actual master’s paper, so do yourself a favor and produce
the best product you can in the time provided.