What theory, existing feminist problem, or historical issue does your question address? What argument will you make to better our understanding of this question/problem/issue?

• What is your research question?
• What theory, existing feminist problem, or historical issue does your question address?
• What argument will you make to better our understanding of this question/problem/issue?
• What significant works of scholarship has been published on your topic? Please identify some of the leading academic scholars and/or published works in the field.
• What method(s) will you use to make your argument and answer your question?
• Does your project have a micro or a macro focus?
• What kind of data do you intend to employ to answer your question?
• Is it a qualitative project or a quantitative project?
  • If your project is qualitative:
    • What materials/literature/evidence will you analyze?
    • What kind of analysis will you use?
    • Do you have access to your research materials/site?
    • (If working with contemporary society) Where will you conduct your fieldwork? How will you conduct your fieldwork?
    • (If doing an oral history project and/or conducting interviews) How many interviews are you conducting? How will you record and transcribe interviews?
  • If your project is quantitative:
    • What is the source of your data?
    • Is it a credible source?
    • What variables will you be using? Are these variables appropriate?
    • Does your data-source have all the variables you are interested in?
    • How do you intend to obtain access to the dataset?
    • What kind of analysis will you use?

The proposal is a contract: a statement of intentions for your final product, and a detailed explanation of how you will accomplish your project. It is important to have a solid, detailed, well-written proposal. The better the proposal, the better the final paper.

You will be graded on:

1) Detailed description of the research question/problem
2) Detailed description of the research methods
3) Theory / Literature awareness / Preliminary bibliography (primary & secondary)
4) Quality of writing / Clarity of presenting ideas
5) Do-ability of the project (data, time, availability restraints, theoretical problems etc.)