Research Proposals and Multimodal Projects

Calendar and Schedule

• The instructor has posted a calendar for the rest of the semester.
• There was an initial mistake on the calendar regarding Monday/Wednesday classes, which has been corrected.
• Mondays are regular class days, while Wednesdays and Fridays are optional.
• This Friday's class will be held in the computer lab.

Project Overview

• The multimodal project incorporates elements of a traditional research proposal.
• The class will review what constitutes a traditional research proposal to integrate these elements into various project genres.

Key Dates and Deadlines

• Annotated bibliography is due on the 26th.
• Peer review is scheduled for the 2nd; it will be a sharing session to gain feedback on the multimodal project.
• The multimodal project is due on Monday, May 5th, at midnight.
• In-person presentations (optional) will be held during class on that Monday.
• Reflection revision, the last essay, will be addressed with an in-class activity that day.

Portfolio Details

• The portfolio is due on a Monday with no extensions.
• Instructors aim to complete grading before the final Sunday.
• Students who receive a notification may revise their work to improve their grade.
• Optional writing conferences are available on Wednesdays by appointment.

Connecting Research to Proposal Writing

• An annotated example of a research proposal is provided, breaking down sections and their rhetorical functions.
• Two sample research proposals are available to review different approaches.
• While specific formatting isn't crucial, understanding structural and rhetorical conventions is important.
• All proposals generally include an introduction and a clearly presented research question.

R1 vs R2 Institutions

• The assignment is based on the idea of a senior capstone project, common in many programs.
• An R1 institution is graded mainly on research output, not overall quality (e.g., UC Davis, Harvard).
• Faculty at R1 institutions are expected to produce research, often involving students.
• Sac State has been upgraded to an R2 institution, beneficial for those pursuing PhDs or master's degrees by building a research knowledge base.
• This upgrade is largely due to strong construction management and engineering programs with significant STEM involvement.

Research Methods and User Experience

• Terminology and concepts connect when one actively engages in research.
• Students don't need extensive prior knowledge to propose data collection methods.
• The focus is on the thought process behind choosing a method.
• Example: To study the user experience of the student association app, one might survey users on ease of navigation using a scale.
• Inspiration for methodologies comes from scholarly articles within one's discipline, each containing a methodology section.
• Some rhetorical analyses or philosophical studies might emphasize theory over specific methods.

Introduction Section and Title

• A meaningful title reflecting the research is essential.
• ChatGPT can assist in creating academic titles.
• Avoid generic titles like "Multimodal Research."

Essay Details

• The essay focuses on personal learning experiences in the class, not traditional research or citation.

Portfolio and Reflection

• The portfolio link is already available, but the instructor will review the portfolio and reflection activity in class.
• Failure to submit all four projects, including the final essay, results in failing the course, regardless of prior grades.

Research Proposal Sections

• A research proposal includes the following sections: Introduction, Problem Statement, Objectives, Preliminary Literature Review, Methodology, and Reference Page.

Introduction

• Provides a description of basic facts and importance of the research area.
• Connects to disciplinary knowledge, explaining what is important in the field.
• Defines terms and situates the research for readers from different fields.
• Addresses the motivation and importance of the research and its potential impact on industry practice and knowledge advancement.

Problem Statement

• Presents a clear and concise description of the issue or specific problem the research will address.
• Includes the research question to be investigated.
• Explains why the specific question is important and provides a rationale.

Objectives

• Outlines the long-term goals of the project.
• States the anticipated benefits and impact of the research, such as better understanding or improved productivity.

Preliminary Literature Review

• Demonstrates where the research fits into the existing scholarly conversation.
• Summarizes the sources that provide evidence and support for the research.
• Explains how the research connects to and contributes to the field.

Methodology

• Defines the methods and logical steps for conducting the research.
• Describes the process of data collection and analysis.
• Ensures the research is conducted ethically and does not cause harm.
• Aligns with the methodologies commonly used in the researcher's field.

Key Questions for Research Proposals

• What do you plan to accomplish (goals)?
• Why is it important (justification)?
• How will you do it (methods)?

Common Mistakes

• Failure to be concise.

ChatGPT and Research

• ChatGPT can help with phrasing and titles but should not be relied upon for generating original ideas.
• ChatGPT has been found to hallucinate and create fabricated references, making Google Scholar unreliable.
• The library is a more credible source for research materials.

Presentations

• Starting next semester, students will be required to turn in presentations.
• Presentations may include voice-over slides or infographics.
• Students will post their presentations on a public discussion board for the class to view.

Research Proposal Samples Analysis

Sample 1: Divorce and Fatherhood

• Includes an introduction that justifies the research.
• Poses specific research questions related to tension in police governance.
• Employs individual semi-structured interviews for data collection.
• Details the sampling methods and locations for finding divorced fathers.
• Discusses data analysis and ethical considerations.

Sample 2: PhD Proposal

• Includes a theoretical contribution section detailing issues and approaches.
• Employs ethnographic methodology involving document review and theme identification.
  Ethical issues and thematic categories are considered.
• Presents a timetable for the research and writing phases.

USC Page on Research

• Research aims to justify the need for study and present practical methods.
• Research proposals address what you plan to accomplish, why it's important, and how you will do it.
• Students are encouraged to copy and answer these questions to guide their project.