Overview
Topic:My research focuses on social interactions and behavioral patterns at UCLA bus stops.
Research Proposal Guidelines for the Final and Final Instructions
In preparation for the final, you should complete a modified (this proposal is a shortened/abbreviated
version of a typical proposal which would have a more thorough introduction and literature review)
research proposal.
Each highlighted section and sub-section below is a required section to be included in the proposal
Introduction (This section title should be used in the proposal)
Research Topic and Question (This sub-section title should be used in the
1) proposal)
What is your research topic and question(s)?
a. Be careful of leading questions – are there any assumptions
included in your question(s)?
Research Topic Interest (This sub-section title should be used in the proposal)
2) Why do you want to ask this/these question(s)? What sparked your
interest?
Sociological Importance (This sub-section title should be used in the proposal)
3) How
4) Why do you think that this question is sociologically important? What
might we learn about society, behavior, norms, power, group
organization, identity etc.?
Reflexivity Statement (This sub-section title should be used in the proposal)
5) Please:
a. b. c. Define and cite researcher positionality and researcher stance,
what are they
Why are they important to consider when conducting research
How your own positionality and stance may influence this project:
selection of topic, method, and analysis
Audience (This sub-section title should be used in the proposal)
6) Who is the intended audience for your project? What audiences do you
want to reach with your work and why?
Ethical Considerations (This section title should be used in the proposal)
In this section please discuss any ethical considerations relevant to your project and
how you would address them.Relevant Literature (This section title should be used in the proposal)
Please list four sources relevant to your topic. Using the ASA guide for citations provided in the
final project module, please list your four sources with a short explanation underneath each of
how you think this source might be relevant to your project.
Discussion of Method(s) (This section title should be used in the proposal)
Please discuss which method or methods (qualitative mixed methods, interviews and user
generated research, for example) you would select to conduct your study and answer your
research question.
Please describe:
The method(s) - only one method is necessary, but you may find that mixed
methods are advantageous to your study.
What are the core/key ideas associated with your methodological approach(es)?
Please cite from course materials.
Why did you select this method(s)? Why is this method specifically relevant to
your topic and collecting data relevant to answering your research question?
Discussion of Sample (This section title should be used in the proposal)
Please identify, describe/define, the type of sample you would use/recruit for
your study (please cite course materials). How would you recruit
participants/select items (content analysis) or your study? Please be specific and
walk us through the steps. Who or what would be included in your study and
why?
Expected Data Collection (This section title should be used in the proposal)
Please discuss the specific type(s) of data you would plan on collecting and how much data you
would collect/how many anticipated participants. How long would you anticipate collecting data
(duration)? When would you stop collecting data? Why?
Analyzing Your Data (This section title should be used in the proposal)
How would you organize and store your data for this project? What would be your approach to
analyzing your data and developing findings? Most qualitative data analysis utilizes coding.
Please walk us through how you would analyze the data you collect. What steps would you
take? Why?
Assignment Requirements/Expectations
No page expectations (no minimum) – you should answer all of the questions in each section and that
may take different lengths for various projectsYou are expected to address/answer all of the questions/information asked for in each section
The proposal should be written in a narrative format as if it were an actual proposal
No bullet points
Please use section titles as indicated for each section
Please follow the order of the sections as they appear in these guidelines
Please follow ASA guidelines for full citations in your relevant literature/literature review section
Please follow the following guidelines for in-text citations within the proposal in other sections
Textual sources (last name, page number)
If a last name is missing then name of resource (name of resource, page number)
If numbers are missing (last name or name of resource, online resource)
Video (last name or name of video, time stamp)
Slides (Name of slideshow, date of slideshow)
Use of AI is not allowed for this assignment