Proposal- research

More Options:

Option 1:  Overview of Research

An alternative option is to write a paper that focuses on a substantive topic of your choice that is relevant to the seminar.  Appropriate topics might be factors explaining current trends in the development of specific theoretical approaches, the gender patterns, the factors affecting the quality of life or the effect of early life disadvantage on later life outcomes in terms of health, income security, mortality, life expectancy etc.  This paper option is particularly appropriate for students in their first year of college who are interested in developing greater expertise on a particular subject based on their majors.

Option 2:  Research Proposal

Using one of your expertise/major as a starting point, write a research proposal. Research papers should be based on one of the topics covered in the assigned readings or on a closely related subject in marriage and the family.

  • Part I: Literature Review: The class readings should be the take-off point for a thorough literature review on your chosen topic.  The literature review should comprise approximately two-thirds of the paper.
  • Part II: Identifying a Researchable Question: After you have reviewed the literature, identify a researchable question.  For example, you might ask, “which theory best fits patterns of racial and gender inequality in people’s life, the theory of cumulative disadvantage or labeling theory?” In describing what other studies have contributed to your question, you will be providing the groundwork for your own project.  The main purpose of your project should be to identify a “gap” in the literature where you might be able to make an original contribution.  The gap may take the form of 1) a theoretical debate about issues that have not been resolved, 2) an issue where you choose to challenge an author’s interpretation, 3) a subject on which there is a lack of empirical evidence.  In this case, your “hook” would be the need for more research on a given topic related to marriage and the family.  An example might be the lack of comparative research on long-term care or the neglect of Asians in studies of cumulative disadvantage varies by gender and race/ethnicity.
  • Part III: Describing a Research Method:  The final section of your paper should be devoted to developing a proposal for a research project.  If you were to conduct the project you have described, how would you go about doing it?  What kind of data would you need? Who would your subjects be?  Would you use a quantitative or a qualitative method?  You do not need to go into great detail here but you should think about whether this project actually is feasible.

Option 3:  Empirical Analysis

The third option is to write a paper using original data.  The ultimate goal would be to eventually present the paper at a professional meeting and/or to submit to a journal.  This option is most appropriate for advanced graduate students who want to work on a project for eventual publication and students who wish to work on a project in which they are already involved (e.g., their MA thesis or dissertation).  The model for this paper is a journal article.  Students should not attempt to write empirical papers if they do not have the methodological expertise to do so.

Data Suggestions:

  1. United States Census Bureau (http://www.census.gov/) Poverty and Current Population Survey (CPS). The survey provides information on poverty in the U.S. This report will provide students with more data on the current problems of any population by gender and racial/ethnic groups.
  2. The Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) website (https://www.icpsr.umich.edu/icpsrweb/ICPSR/) is the other suggested place to get data for your research. Please register their website and Sam Houston State University is one of their members.