Instructions for Final Research Proposal
Write your research proposal in the same order described below, and please number each section
of your paper. Incorporate all of the comments that I provided you on all assignments up to this
point. I will be checking to see if you made changes, the degree to which you incorporate
information from class lectures and readings, and your overall progress this semester.
1. Title Page: Write an Informative Title
Provide an appropriate title for your research project, and follow APA guidelines for your title
page.
2. Introduction: One or Two Paragraphs
The purpose of the problem statement is to tell the reader why the research is important.
a. Begin by providing the topic/subject area of the research.
b. Next, discuss the significance of your topic area, create reader interest, and discuss why
research is needed on topic x.
c. Provide relevant background information so that the reader understands the topic area and
any jargon specific to the topic area.
3. Review of the literature / Justification for research problem
Identify and review 10 or more peer-reviewed journal articles/academic books that relate to your
study question.
a. Synthesize findings from peer-reviewed articles and briefly state the importance of each
studys findings as they relate to your study question. Structure this portion of your
assignment like the Introduction, Review, and/or Background sections of academic peerreviewed articles are structured. **Do not review each article one-by-one or dedicate one
article to one paragraph; rather, synthesize previous research studies into 4-6 total
paragraphs that provide the reader with the most important information/findings.
b. In a separate paragraph, identify what is missing from the current literature and/or what
we need to know more about in this literature. This will allow for an easy lead up to the
study purpose and question. Minimize direct quotes; paraphrase.
4. Purpose & study question(s)
The purpose and study question(s) make explicit the intent of the research study and the
question(s) that the researcher will answer or address in the research study.
a. Briefly, in 1 sentence, re-state the importance of the topic.
b. State the intent or the objective of your research study.
c. Provide at least 1 study question and no more than 4 total study questions that succinctly
lay out the focus of your research project. Be sure that each study question contains an
exposure, disease/outcome/impact, and population of focus.
5. Research Methods
a. Identify the method(s) that you will use in your study.
b. Why did you choose the method(s)? Is this the same method that studies in your literature
review used? If different, explain the reasoning.
c. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using the method(s)?
d. What is your sampling design?
1) Clearly and concisely explain the population(s) from which you will collect data.
Identify the target, source, and sample populations for your study.
2) What method will you use to select the sample population?
3) Identify limitation(s) with your choice of sampling method.
4) How and where will you seek to enroll potential participants in your study?
5) How many participants will you seek to enroll in your study?
6) How did you arrive at this number?
6. Ethics consideration
This section outlines the steps you will take to ensure that your research study is conducted
according to ethical standards.
a. Discuss whether you will involve vulnerable populations in your research.
b. What are the risks and benefits to participants?
c. How will you ensure informed consent?
d. How will you maintain privacy and confidentiality?
7. Positionality & reflexivity
In this section, you will discuss the ways in which youon account of your background and
place in societymight influence your research study and the steps you can take to remain
mindful of your positionality.
a. First, discuss your interest in the topic: what led you to focus on this topic?
b. Second, discuss relevant socio-demographic aspects and other information about you
(e.g., sex, gender, sexuality, race/ethnicity, SES, political party, hometown, etc.). Discuss
how your positionality might influence how you perceive the problem, approach the
study, analyze results, and write-up data. It might be helpful to think about positionality
as a way of disclosing potential bias in study design and approach.
c. Third, discuss how you plan to be reflexive in your research.
8. Reflection
In 1-2 paragraphs, briefly reflect on the following questions (Note: feel free to edit and/or add
your own as you see fit!): How has your research project evolved over the course of the
semester? Do you have any remaining questions? What about the research process, if anything,
makes you insecure or worried? Do you envision using this research project for Senior Seminar
or are you hoping to develop a new project?
9. References
Provide complete citations according to APA standards.
Use standard formatting: 12-point font, Times New Roman, 1 margins. Refer to your book and
course lecture slides in addition to your 10+ research references

Topic : Obesity. There physical behavior/activity. Do they become obese because their neighbor, food habits, their jobs, genetic, etc.