PS7710: ASSIGNMENT

TOPIC: RESEARCH DESIGN

For those students who intend in the fairly near future to pursue a PhD, this project provides an opportunity to make an initial trial run.  The paper may take one of two forms:

1) A preliminary dissertation proposal.  In this case I will expect the following.

• A well-defined research question on a topic that has not been sufficiently explored by social scientists. 
• An extensive examination of existing literature to demonstrate the way in which your research possesses the potential to add something new to the sum of scholarly knowledge
• An appropriate framework for scholarly research on your question
• A series of meaningful hypotheses
• A discussion of how those hypotheses might be tested including a discussion and assessment of relevant data sources and methods of analysis.
• A brief discussion and conclusion that suggest how your potential findings might fit within the broader scholarly literature

2) A full-fledged research paper designed for presentation and publication.  In this case, I will expect the following (note the differences from the above):

• A well-defined research question on a topic that has not been sufficiently explored by social scientists. 
• A careful examination of relevant literature to demonstrate the way in which your research possesses the potential to add something new to the sum of scholarly knowledge
• An appropriate framework for scholarly research on your question
• A meaningful hypothesis (or related hypotheses)
• A test of your hypothesis using appropriate data and methods.
• A discussion and conclusion that suggest how your findings fit within the broader scholarly literature

If you wish to write either of these two research papers in lieu of the mid-term and final exams, you must ask and receive my permission in advance.

DEADLINE:

• December 18, 2006

FORMAT:

• 20-30 pages
• normal 1 inch margins
• 10 or 12 point type
• double-spaced
• spell-checked
• your name is on it

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:

You must submit the paper in hard-copy form in class on Dec. 18 and also submit it to me by email or digital drop box (if the latter, send me an email or tell me in person that you have done so).

CONTACT:

If you have any questions or difficulties with either of these questions please

• call me at 248-336-2538,
• visit me at 2053 FAB
• or email me at:

Good luck, and enjoy.