1. FORMAL RESEARCH PROPOSAL: DETAILED OVERVIEW WITH EXAMPLES
PART I: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
Write two paragraphs, using outside sources as necessary, providing background information about the
problem or topic.
Example:
Instructors in the field of Economics have typically relied on lectures to convey information.
Studies have shown that 90% of class time at the college level and 70% of class time at the
secondary level is spent with the teacher at the front of the room talking (Simpson, 2003). While
lectures can be useful, students do not always remain engaged. In fact, educators have long
suggested that shorter min-lectures and small group work are more effective in terms of getting
students to retain information (Jacobs, 2000; Smith et al., 1998). . . . .
As we enter the 21st century, educators are exploring new ways to engage students.
Whether it be through using a television show (Luccasen and Thomas, 2010), computer programs
designed to encourage group work (Jacobson, 2000), or assigning students journal writing (Wilson,
2001), teacher of economics have discovered new teaching techniques . . . .
PART II: CENTRAL RESEARCH QUESTIONS AND RELATED QUESTIONS (I HAVE ALREADY HELPED YOU WITH THIS.)
Example:
 Question 1: What types of teaching strategies have been used in the past to teach Economics
courses?
 Question 2: Has research been conducted to find out what strategies work best with students?
 Question 3: What are some strategies that work?
 Etc.
PART III. SOURCES WITH PARAGRAPHS
List five sources, following proper APA formatting style. After you have listed a source, write a
paragraph explaining: 1) Why the source is reliable; 2) A summary of the source; 3) Why you find the
article/essay interesting; and 4)How and where you plan to use the information in your essay.
Example:
Source 1:
Luccasen, R., & Thomas, M. (2010). Simpsonomics: Teaching Economics Using Episodes of The
Simpsons. Journal Of Economic Education, 41(2), 136-149.
This is an article published in the Journal of Economic Education, which is a peer-reviewed
journal published by the National Council on Economic Education and the Advisory Committee on
Economic Education of the American Economic Association. The authors are high school and college

2. instructors who are interested in how to teach economics effectively. “Simpsonomics” is about using
episodes of the television show, The Simpsons , in an economic class. The ideas for lessons plans are
interesting, and the section of the essay where the authors discuss how to use specific episodes to
teach specific concepts will be useful in my essay. I want to use one or two of their lesson plans as
examples of how teaching economics can be exciting. My discussion of these lesson plans will likely
come in the middle of the essay where I explore what instructors are actually doing in the classroom.