6619648_133282945_ResearchProposalAssignment(1)

Research Proposal Introduction: Academic research and writing are amongst the most challenging and important tasks faced by post-secondary students. The ability to locate quality research and discern and clearly communicate the value of that research to others is a distinguishing feature of the truly educated, critical thinker. While many students think their research and writing abilities are strong, the standards in post-secondary are often very different than those required in high school or the workplace. Moreover, no matter who you are (elementary school student to university professor) and no matter what your current abilities, your writing and analytical skills can always be improved. The purpose of this assignment is to:  explore an issue that has a connection to you as an individual,  learn how to analyze and assess the merits of ideas in scholarly papers (peer-reviewed scholarly articles),  learn to cite and acknowledge the scholarly sources on which your arguments are grounded appropriately using APA format. Research Proposal General Requirements:  Write a research question that relates to your topic and find at least 2 peer-reviewed academic sources that pertain to your research question  Paraphrase the information from your articles in bullet points (maximum 2 points related to the issue and maximum 2 points related to possible solution/suggestion/counterpoint),  Make in-text citations, a reference list in APA style and complete the Academic Integrity and Plagiarism tutorial (make sure the badge appears on your Moodle course page).  Reflect on your own position in the research. (i.e. positionality statement) Outline ： 2-3 pages (double-spaced). Size 12 font – times new roman or arial. References for your scholarly journal articles will be on a separate page (see example below).

Research Proposal Detailed Components:  Title: Clear, catchy title  Introduction: Provide a brief background to your topic that summarizes the history. You may also explain any terminology (English translation when needed) ( 1 paragraph )  Main Argument(s) : One to two paragraphs that summarize the focus of your scholarly article(s). This must include the main claims/arguments. Stay focused – one idea for one paragraph! Use at least one peer-reviewed scholarly article in this section. (1-2 paragraphs)  Recommendations/Suggestions : One paragraph with solutions/suggestions as to how to promote/support/ enhance/or solve the issues that you have presented. Use at least one peer- reviewed scholarly article in this section. For some topics instead of solutions it might be more suitable to provide an alternative or opposing view to the issue. (1 paragraph)  *Reflective Analysis/Positionality Statement: One paragraph of personal connection to this topic. Explain why this topic is important to you. Why it is important for the reader to know about. How you understand your positionality in your research. ( 1 paragraph ).  Conclusion : Briefly sum up your sources and how each contributes to your research question. Draw a conclusion based on your evaluation of the sources. (1 paragraph)  References: Reference List in proper APA format (a minimum of 2 scholarly sources*) Example:  Title: The language barriers of international students in Canada  Main arguments: 1. Communication challenges: International students have difficulty in class participation and communication 2. Academic challenges: International students have difficulties in written assignments and exams.  Recommendations/solutions: Support that should be available for international students (e.g. language support, tutoring)  Reflective analysis/positionality statement: Reflect on personal experience as an international student and reflect on and explain the impact of your positionality on your research.  Conclusion: Sum up your finding and draw a conclusion. Make a clear thesis statement such as: “ I argue that despite the challenges international students face they can still be successful because there are many resources and supports available to students”.  References: in-text citations (APA) and APA style for the reference page

Outline Example Topic: Post-Secondary Education and Recreational Marijuana Use Research Question: In what ways does recreational marijuana use impact academic outcomes in post-secondary education? Issue: Recreational marijuana and poor class attendance  Arria, Calderia, Bugbee, Vincent & O’Grady (2015) argue the association of skipping classes to the lowered academic dedication, commitment and focus from the negative cognitive effects of recreational marijuana use.  Arria, Calderia, Bugbee, Vincent & O’Grady (2015) argue the link between the frequency of missing class, poor class attendance, lowered GPA and extended graduation time to recreational marijuana use in post-secondary students. Solutions/Suggestions/Counterpoint:  In both studies by Suerken et al. (2016) and Arria, Calderia, Bugbee, Vincent & O’Grady (2015), past behaviours were not reflected in results of semester GPA fluctuations, therefore not providing distinct, reliable, results of the impact of recreational marijuana use and academic outcomes.

References Arria, A. M., Calderia, K. M., Bugbee, B. A., Vincent, K. B., & O'Grady, K. E. (2015). The academic consequences of marijuana use during college. Psychology of Addictive Behaviours, 29 (3), 564 - 575. doi.org/10.1037/adb0000108 Suerken, C. K., Reboussin, B. A., Egan, K. L., Sutfin, E. L., Wagoner, K. G., Spanglar, J., & _____ Wolfson, M. (2016). Marijuana use trajectories and academic outcomes among college _____ students. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 162 , 137-145. doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.02.041