Each student will write a research proposal (essay) DUE Friday Week 6. Each student will write one (1) paper on a question of their own formulation. Each paper will be approximately 4 to 5 double spaced pages (1000 words), and it should demonstrate a significant research effort. Papers will be evaluated on the strength (and quality) of the research, as well as the clarity of the written expression and organization. It is an individual assignment and should be completed as such. While essays can certainly cite newspapers, magazines, and websites, they should go beyond this to reference at least five (5) academic sources (i.e. books or journal articles).
The essay will be submitted electronically via Wattle using Turnitin.
Assignment submission
Online Submission: ALL Assignments are submitted using the course Wattle site. Keep a copy of the assignment for your records.
Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalized at the rate of 5 marks of the
possible marks available per working day or part thereof.
Returning assignments
Assignments will be returned to the students via Wattle.
The word count total must be shown on the cover sheet. An essay may exceed the word length by no more than 10 per cent. Thereafter a 10-mark penalty (i.e. 10 marks off assessed grade) will apply
Assessment Task
In the following assignment we require you outline and justify:
1. Research question
a. Provide a description of your research question and why it’s important or interesting, including the research puzzle it addresses
2. Literature review
a. What is your research topic about?
b. What do we already know about this topic in Australia, Globally, and comparatively?
c. Are there competing ideas about your specific area of political behaviour?
3. Theory
a. What is your theory and causal mechanism?
b. Outline what your hypotheses/expectations are?
POLS1009, Assessment 1 (Research Proposal): Semester 2 2020
Your research design proposal will be marked within Turnitin against the following criteria.
It is not the sole basis for calculating your final mark. Rather, it indicates areas of achievement and areas where you could improve. This is your guide to our expectations for assignment 1.
• Provides an ‘empirical’ research question
• Identifies a ‘Research Puzzle’ to be Solved
• Explains ‘why’ it matters (the so-what question)
• Provides an adequate literature review related to the topic
• Referencing Style Acceptable and includes a minimum of 5 academic references
• Identifies and selects one or multiple theories related to the RQ/topic
• Identifies a general hypothesis, including provisional research expectations
• Few grammatical and spelling errors
• Excellent writing style
• Defines/understands the exercise
• Provides an enticing title to the research
