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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.