MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Location: file:///C:/1C69C638/308ProspectusSum2008.htm Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Type: text/html; charset="us-ascii" Prospectus Paper

Dr. Gass

HCOM 308

Fall 2008

 

Research Prospectus Paper

(Proposal for a Communication Experiment)<= /i>

 

Your goal is to craft a “working” proposal for an original communication experiment.  It is understood that the specific= s of your proposed investigation will be somewhat sketchy at this initial stage, since you will be refining your proposal in the subsequent stages of the paper.  Your prospectus will f= orm the basis for my suggestions on how to modify or revise your experiment.  Nevertheless, you should try to= be as specific and clear as possible.  You should address the following concerns in your research prospectu= s:

 

1. Identify the basic topic area, o= r line of research.  Explain the rele= vance of the topic area to the field of human communication.  Demonstrate that the line of inqui= ry you’ve selected constitutes a legitimate area of research inte= rest in your discipline.  Identify = the theoretical framework for your experiment.  Good research is theory-driven.&nbs= p; What theory or model forms the backdrop for your experiment?<= span style=3D'font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial'>

 

2. Identify the research problem.  Why is research in this area needed?  What is the ration= ale or justification for conducting your experiment?  How would research in this area fu= rther knowledge in your discipline?

 

3. Identify and define the key conc= epts you want to investigate (don’t rely on standard dictionary definitions for communication concepts).  Clearly explain what your independent and dependent variables are.  If you know at= this point, explain how the independent variable(s) will be operationalized.  Explain how the dependent variable= (s) will be measured.

 

4. State your h= ypothesis(es) and/or research question(s).  Formulate a tentative hypothesis or research question that predicts a “functional relationship” bet= ween two or more variables, and that is empirically testable.

 

You should cite a minimum of three scholarly references (e.g., current, published, peer-reviewed articles in scholar= ly journals), primarily to define concepts and demonstrate that you’ve selected a current area of research interest.  Your paper should be 3-4 pages in length, typed, double-spaced, and carefully proof-read for spelling, typographical, and grammatical errors.&nbs= p; References must conform to the APA style manual, 5th edit= ion.

 

This assignment represents 5% of your course gr= ade and is due Sept. 18th.