Q Format and detailed content guidance for the Senior Capstone Project Proposal Memorandum can be found in the Step-by-Step Guide to Completing the Graded Interim Assignments document under Content > Course Resources > Senior Capstone Project Toolkit in our classroom. You also can use the grading rubric associated with this assignment folder to help you develop your assignment. Please submit your assignment by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Sunday, Week 3. Overview Step 1 of the Senior Capstone Project will require you to write a comprehensive project proposal memorandum to your instructor. This memo should be viewed by you as your formal request for approval of your idea for a Senior Capstone Project. The proposal memo should accomplish two main tasks: • provide background information • argue for the viability of your idea You want to convince your professor that you know: • what the scope of your intended project is • who your audience is and what their needs are • how you will approach the project and the research • how you will complete the project within the given time frame Your memo should be 2–3 pages long, single-spaced. Project Proposal Memorandum Sections Your proposal memo should have the following sections: • introduction • statement of the problem or research question • audience analysis • scope of the research • research methods • timeline Here are general descriptions of the content that should be included in each section: Introduction Key Idea: The introduction is addressed to the project proposal memo's audience: your instructor. What does your instructor have to know in order to understand and appreciate your proposal? Include background information, context, and definitions. If your instructor is likely unfamiliar with your topic, include basic descriptions or definitions. If you think your instructor is fully familiar with your topic, use this section to establish common knowledge. Statement of the Problem or Research Question Key Idea: Your statement section should be brief. In a sentence or two, state the concern that your project will address, the problem it will solve, or the question it will answer. Audience Analysis Key Idea: The audience analysis should be your comprehensive analysis of the audience you intend to address in your Senior Capstone Project. The audience for the project proposal memo itself is your professor, but the target audience for your final Senior Capstone Project will be a professional demographic that you must define. You will do that research for this memo. For example, suppose you want to prepare a research report for an advocacy group, a research center, a business, an association, a foundation, or some other group. Describe the following: o the organization that will support or benefit from your research o name(s) and title(s) of people at that organization who will read your report o secondary audiences who may read/benefit from your report o possible publication homes for your research report Include a paragraph or two to demonstrate that you have analyzed your audiences and their needs with respect to your project. Include any of the following information, if relevant: o your audience's professional background o their role(s) in the organization o demographic information o their attitude toward the subject o possible persuasive strategies you will have to use o power issues o control over resources to effect solutions or strategies proposed in your final research report Scope of the Research Key Idea: The scope of research helps to focus your research and writing by showing o the smaller units of research (subtopics) that make up your general topic o the issues surrounding these subtopics o current and possible areas of research o your foundational assumptions about the topic and subtopics Write a paragraph to describe the scope of your research (i.e., the subtopics you will cover under your main topic). Alternatively, simply write a list of questions that your research will answer. Read enough background material on your subject so that you reflect on the following procedural issues that are typical for any project: 1.The broader perspective and more specific possible areas for your research You may be interested in the way technology is changing childhood, but then decide to focus your study on one specific technology, how that technology is used in the home or school, or a more specific age range of child development. For this course, a more targeted area for the project will help you to focus your efforts. 2. The most important, serious, vexing, or significant problem(s) that your project will address Money, time, and other resources are scarce. If you have to choose between solving a problem that affects people very little and one that could help people a great deal, think about choosing the project that will have more impact. 3. The most important research others have conducted that allowed you to build on that work You don't want to reinvent the wheel through your work, so make sure you know where your project's issues currently stand in terms of research, policy discussion, regulation, or laws. If you are writing a speech, for example, you will want to cite the most important sources, show those ideas, and build on them in the speech. If you are doing a training program, make sure you know how much and what kind of training can reasonably occur, based on previous similar programs. If you are doing a research project, look at the conclusions of published research articles to see where the authors suggest future research should be done. 4. The assumptions you are making as the foundation for your investigation By reflecting on your basic assumptions, you will get a better sense of whether you are in harmony with your intended audience(s) or whether you will have to persuade them. For example, you may see changing laws as a way to fix a problem, whereas other people think laws will be ineffectual. Check to see if your assumptions are correct. You may assume that the major impact of what you are studying influences all Americans, whereas the population affected lives in only some parts of the country. You will also want to be very clear that you know who is actually responsible for solving a problem. In other words, who has jurisdiction—individuals, parents, school boards, corporations, local or state or national governments, regulatory agencies? Research Methods Key Idea: You know what you must research and why after completing the audience analysis and scope of work; now focus on the how. Describe the strategies you will use to find information from primary sources and secondary sources that will help you answer your research question and fulfill your scope. Consider the following: o How will you locate information about your topic? o Can you use the same procedures others have used, or should you change them a little, or should you use new strategies to find information about the topic? For example, if you are creating a business proposal, ask yourself whether there are people you should interview or survey to gain insights into the problem you want to address or the solution you want to offer. Think about the primary research you can do (interviews, questionnaires, experiences) that will be especially relevant to this particular situation and add to what is known. List the names of experts you should consult or specific sources you will read. Be sure to consider a range of sources, including advocacy groups, research centers, think tanks, and foundations. Keep in mind that you are conducting research to gather information and data that will help you meet your central project goal. Timeline Key Idea: You want to convince your professor that you have a clear idea of how to complete the tasks you are going to undertake within the allotted time frame. Create a timeline for the subtasks of your project. You might begin by listing the weekly dates and itemizing the assignments as they are due. Then add in your time for information gathering, drafting, and revision. Alternatively, you might create a Gantt chart with the help of creating a Gantt chart with the help of Creating and Using a Gantt Chart in our classroom's Course Resources. Project Proposal Memorandum Format The following template shows how you should format your project proposal memo. TO: Professor xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (your instructor's name) FROM: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (your name) DATE: xxxxxxxxxxxxxx (date of submission) SUBJECT: Proposal to Complete <Insert Project Option #> , <Insert Draft project’s Title Here > Introduction This is background information, context, and definitions. Set the scene for what will make your research project important and worthwhile. Statement of the Problem or Research Question or Intent of Project In a sentence or two, state the concern, issue, or problem that your project will address. Audience Analysis Write a paragraph or two to demonstrate that you have analyzed your audience and your audience's needs with respect to your project. Scope of the Research Write a paragraph to describe the scope of your research (i.e., the topics you will cover). Alternatively, simply write a list of questions that your research will answer. Research Methods Describe the strategies you will use to find information from primary sources and secondary sources. List the names of experts you may consult or specific sources you will read. Include a range of organizations that may have information useful to your project, including advocacy groups, think tanks, research centers, and foundations. Timeline (or use a Gantt chart) Create a timeline for the subtasks of your project. You want to convince your professor that you have a clear idea of how to complete the tasks you are going to undertake within the allotted time frame. Example: Oct. 23: Submit Research Proposal Memo Finish background reading Begin Annotated Bibliography Oct. 30: Submit Annotated Bibliography Conduct reading and interviews Nov. 7: Research, interviews, drafting tasks Nov. 14: Post draft project, respond to students in discussions Nov. 21: Submit draft for peer review Nov. 28: Submit final project Go here or here for more help if you’d like to create a Gantt chart for your timeline. Additional Resources for Writing a Project Proposal Memorandum The following UMUC online resources provide additional support in writing your project proposal memo. Resource Guide for COMM 495: Communication Studies Capstone Course Tips on refining your research topic and finding background reading. Online Guide to Writing and Research: The Nature of Research Background information on the process of writing research papers. Online Guide to Writing and Research: Devising a Writing Project Plan and Schedule An alternative template for writing a project plan.