This is a major written undertaking. The research proposal includes a SUBSTANTIAL literature review to introduce both the topic of interest and your particular research proposal. Following the literature review you will provide a summary of what you think needs further investigation, clarification, etc. Then you will briefly describe your independent and dependent variables and provide your hypotheses (keeping in mind psychology is grounded in both theory and empirical research, therefore the exclusive use of a priori hypotheses should be avoided). You will then provide a detailed method section. As previously discussed we will discuss this in class but there are many variables and you must make sure you understand your topic and the methods you choose to use.
100 points: Depth and breadth of research – Do not omit studies with significant findings (using only peer reviewed journals)
100 points: Critical thinking – your ability to explain why the literature is adequate/inadequate, applicable/narrow, how it has directed your proposal etc.
100 points: Methods – Completeness, appropriateness, and your ability to understand WHY you chose the methods (including groups, numbers, etc) that you used
