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Conducting Research and Writing Proposals

Conducting Research and Writing Proposals. TECM 4180 Dr. Lam. Proposal Assignment. Hypothetical research study, project, or initiative- This means you do NOT actually have to conduct the research, complete the project, or implement the initiative. Let’s take a look at the RFP.

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Conducting Research and Writing Proposals

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  1. Conducting Research and Writing Proposals TECM 4180 Dr. Lam

  2. Proposal Assignment • Hypothetical research study, project, or initiative- This means you do NOT actually have to conduct the research, complete the project, or implement the initiative. • Let’s take a look at the RFP

  3. What we’ll cover today: • Basics of research • Superstructure of a proposal • Analyzing three proposals

  4. How Research fits into our “thinking” theme • We learned yesterday that all communication is persuasive • We also learned that “off the cuff” communication isn’t conducive to being persuasive • Therefore, much of the evidence we must provide has to be researched • We won’t actually perform formal research in this class, but I think it’s essential to start talking and thinking about it

  5. General “research” process • Conduct search • Evaluate sources • Synthesize findings into trends

  6. Conducting Searches • Consider your search options: Google, google scholar, library databases • Use only credible online resources (wikipedia is OK to inform yourself, but not to cite) • Understand boolean operators (AND vs. OR) • Plan and be flexible when defining keywords by thinking about keywords as concepts • Trace information back to the original source (Google this: what are the most populated cities in Texas?)

  7. Search Activity • Find scholarly articles that answer this research question: • What is the relationship between reality tv and self-esteem? • What are the keywords you should search for? • What are some related concepts? • Now search for a combination of those concepts.

  8. Evaluating Sources • Understand the advantages and disadvantages of popular vs. scholarly publications • Scholarly is likely more credible, but less timely • Popular is less credible, but more timely • Consider the rhetorical purpose of the source (i.e., what is the author’s purpose or intent for writing this article?) • General rule of thumb: use popular articles to inform yourself about a topic, use scholarly articles as evidence for your claims • Use multiple sources, and not just 1 source, especially if it is not scholarly

  9. Compare these three sources What is the purpose of each source? Which is most credible? • http://smexchange.ogilvypr.com/2012/05/skinny-unscripted-reality-tvs-effect-on-body-image-beyond-the-small-screen/ • http://well.wvu.edu/articles/body_images • http://musejhuedu.kmvhr3.biz/login?auth=0&type=summary&url=/journals/configurations/v015/15.2.albright.pdf

  10. Synthesizing Sources • Find as many credible sources to answer the following research question: • Should we change the legal bac limit in Texas? • Is drunk driving a problem in the U.S.? • Is it a problem in Texas? • Is it getting better or worse over time? • Is there anything significant about the .08 legal limit?

  11. Connecting research to proposals • Yesterday we talked about claims, lines of reasoning, and evidence • Research is used to support claims and lines of reasoning • The key, then, is determining which claims require research • In a proposal, there are usually three areas that require research: • Statement of the problem • Solution • Costs

  12. Proposal Objectives • What are some objectives of a proposal?

  13. Proposal Superstructure

  14. What’s required in your proposal? • Funding agencies use all different kinds of terminology to describe required sections • To be clear, your proposal must have the following sections: • Abstract • Introduction • Problem Statement • Project Objectives • Project Description (solution) • Method • Budget

  15. Readers’ thought process • Readers learn generally what you want to do (Introduction) • **Readers are persuaded there is a problem, need, or goal, that is important to them (problem)** • *Readers are persuaded the proposed action will be effective in solving the problem, meeting the need, or achieving the goal that they now agree is important (Objectives, solution)* • Readers are persuaded you can plan and manage the solution (Method, resources, schedule, qualifications, and management) • Readers are persuaded the cost is reasonable in light of the benefits (Costs)

  16. Exercise

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