Research synopsis or mini-research paper: This paper allows students to demonstrate the learning they have acquired regarding components of a typical political science research project, and to illustrate the steps they would follow to complete a full research project. It assesses their ability to follow direction and develop the skill of systematic writing. It entails the preparation of a 5 to 10-page paper that includes framing a research topic or title, writing a thesis statement related to the topic, stating clearly the research question(s), specifying the independent and dependent variables as well as the hypothesis(-es) and unit(s) of analysis related to the topic. Students are also required to identify the sources of data, methods of data collection, methods of data analysis. They are to provide justification for the methods of data collection and data analysis they wish to adopt and how that is relevant and appropriate for their specific research topic. They also have to explain possible or expected findings, and propose suggestions/policy recommendations to address the issues raised in the study.
