As part of your “road map” to graduate school, you will craft an initial research agenda. This will entail examining an area of research and doing a brief literature review on a topic of your choice. You will want to construct a brief 10-point plan to create/cultivate your research agenda. Use this list (https://www.insidehighered.com/advice/2009/05/20/creating-research-agenda) as your guide. You will also identify mentors in this field (currently known to you, at ASU but not yet known to you, at other institutions, etc.).
Your 10-point plan should include:
-What is your area(s) of interest (don’t say “children” or “HIV” – this is way too broad. Something more along the lines of: bullying experienced by transgender teenagers)
-What are your research questions? Create at least one. Use this document to guide you: Constructing research questions
-What are you hoping to do with this research (the outcome)?
-What courses have you taken that relate to this?
-What courses can you take in the future to cultivate this research interest?
-What activities can you participate in (working in certain labs, volunteering, etc.) to promote your research agenda?
-What past, present, or future mentors (ones you’d like to work with – name them) can assist with your research agenda?
-Who are the nationally renowned scholars in this area (research and find at least two, name them and their university or research institute affiliation)?
-What would be your ideal research setting/role (working in a lab, working in the community, doing experimental research, analyzing data, writing grants)
-What do you like about research (if you don’t like it – stretch! Make something up! Someone at an interview will ask this, or at least about your interest in being a researcher)?
When you construct your plan, number each of your answers. Please label it: Research Agenda_Your Name
This assignment is worth 15-points. Each question is worth 1.5-points.
