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Guidelines for Undergraduate Proposals

A good proposal provides a blueprint for the work its author seeks to finance. Mostsuccessful submissions in the social sciences provide the following information in

roughly the order set forth:

1. Clear statement of the question the project will try to answer. Devising a clear

and feasible research question is often the toughest part of the job. Remember

that a question ends with a question mark; it is not an allusion to a broad topicarea. I want to understand why some people decide to vote while others do

not is a question, while voting behavior or turnout are both topics.

2. A paragraph or two on the significance of the project. Social resources arescarce. Why is it important to find an answer to the question you have posed?

Does the question have policy significance? Will it produce a general

important to a lot of people? To whom does your answer potentially matter?

Have others pointed to the importance of the subject?

3. A few short paragraphs on the answers others have offered to this question orto related questions and a note about why you consider these answers

inadequate. In a short proposal, we do not ask you to go into great detail, but

no one should offer a proposal without having done some investigation first.In a few rare instances we may accept proposals that simply state your

thoughts about the likely answer to the question, but in almost all instances

reviewers want to see that you have done some homework.

4. A short description of your research design or methods for answering your

question. What information do you need to obtain to determine whether yourfavored answer is wrong or whether alternative plausible answers are wrong?How will you secure this informationthrough case histories? Small surveys?

Examination of patterns in client records? Again, please consult with faculty

members in developing your 2-3 paragraphs and consider whether it isfeasible to do what you propose.

5. Remember that interviews and surveys usually require university human

subjects clearance, under federal law. Please consult the university websiteson this subject (OPR). If you are using historical materials or other peoples

survey data, you generally wont need this clearance. In many instances

clearance is fairly pro forma, but you must be familiar with the rules andprepare your project for review.

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6. If you propose to carry out work abroad, particularly in difficult contexts or in

Africa or Central Asia, pay attention to what is involved:

Understand that countries usually require official clearance to conduct

research within their borders. Apply very early (several monthsbeforehand). Be prepared to pay a fee and to secure a corresponding

affiliation with a local institution. If you plan to carry out your work

under the auspices of an internship with an NGO or governmentorganization, you may not need official clearance, but you should have

the written permission of the organization, whose own status your

activities may jeopardize.

Most countries require visas. If you intend to travel within the region,

get visas for all of the countries before you travel.

Remember that you cannot set up all of your arrangements from here.If you dont have a high tolerance for uncertainty and strong survival

skills, consider an internship under the auspices of a respectedinternational organization.

Do not expect faculty members, government officials, or ordinary citizens to help you

carry out your work. Remember that you are imposing on busy schedules. It is generally

a good idea to request meetings in writing, then to follow up with a phone call or a visitto a secretary upon arrival. Not all people will have time for you, and no one is obligated

to provide you with information, records, etc.