This document provides a template for a research design proposal with sections for the research topic, what is already known about the topic and why it is interesting, questions to explore, an initial research plan, a draft research question, learning standards and skills to focus on, choices for multigenre elements to demonstrate learning, and a preliminary bibliography. The proposal is intended to help structure pre-research work and planning for a research project.

1. Research Design Proposal Template 1
Example research proposal from Tom Romano http://www.users.muohio.edu/romanots/Tom_Romano.html
Approved and filed  (Keep for your records)
 Revise and Resubmit ASAP (see comments in your draft proposal)
Approved with conditions (see notes below)
Schedule a conference with Ms. Rust and Ms. Hamilton
Research Design Proposal Ms. Rust, Fall 2014 Introduction
A “research design” jump-starts your project and gets you thinking about your topic in a concentrated way. Your pre-search work of the last few days should inform the content that will go into this proposal.
The research design must be typed and may be single-spaced or double-spaced using the electronic template we will provide you.
Structure of the Proposal Research Paper Topic
Share your research topic statement that has been narrowed and focused.
What I Know about the Topic at This Point and Why I’m Interested in This Topic
Complete a paragraph of 6-10 sentences explaining what you’ve learned at this point through your pre- search about your topic and why you are interested in this topic.
What I Want To Learn
In a paragraph of 5-8 sentences, briefly describe what you hope to learn through your research.
My Initial List of Questions I Have About My Topic
You should identify at least seven (7) questions you have generated as a result of your pre-search; most of these will probably come from your KWLs and/or mindmap. You may also add additional questions that you want to explore that have come from your reading but may not have made it onto the KWL or mindmap. Please create your list of questions as a numbered list.
Next Steps Research Plan
1. Identify which resources (print materials, digital information sources, and databases) seem the most promising right now. You can number these from your Easy Bib list.
2. What additional sources do you need to use or go deeper with?
3. What questions should you explore?
4. What search terms do you think you should try next?
5. What help, instruction, and/or mini-lessons might you need from Ms. Hamilton and/or Ms. Rust with your searching?

2. Research Design Proposal Template 2
Example research proposal from Tom Romano http://www.users.muohio.edu/romanots/Tom_Romano.html
Draft of My Primary Research Question
This is your central question driving your research project . It should be “how”, “what,” and “why” questions that go beyond answering with basic facts. We will conference with you as needed to help you develop the research question. Examples: Topic: Is a college degree still valuable in the 21st century?
Research question: How are the changes in the United States economic landscape impacting choices students are making in course and degree major selection? Skills/Learning Standards You Want to Master and How You Will Demonstrate Your Growth and Mastery of These Skills
Take a look at the information literacy skills, dispositions, and responsibilities in the AASL 21st Century Learner document AND the chart of content area standards for this course related to our research project.
Choose any three of these as your personalized learning targets for this unit. We’ll follow up with a self- assessment and ask you to share and show how you have mastered each of the three learning targets you self-select. Please type the three standards you have chosen in your document and include the identifying number and letters at the beginning or end of the standard.
Multigenre Elements Choices
Identify which learning products you plan to create and why you think each medium will be the best way to represent your key learnings from your inquiry/research experiences. Please number the choices and provide 2-3 brief sentences explaining why you want to use that medium and what ideas/information your product will convey about your topic/research question.
How might you sequence and structure your multigenre elements effectively and coherently? Will you publish your project as a Word document or in a virtual format ? (Ms. Hamilton will help with both mediums)
Preliminary Bibliography
Please copy and paste this list from your EasyBib bibliography.