Over the course of this term, you will be creating a research
project, which should examine a research problem or issue on a topic of
your choosing that should connect to your previous academic experiences
or intended career plans. You will then examine that problem using an
interdisciplinary perspective, preferably one that has emerged out of
your individualized curriculum in the general studies program. Meaning,
you should focus in on a research question or problem that you have
thought about as a result of the course work in which you have engaged.
Ideally, this research will be relevant to both your future professional
and/or academic goals. At the very least, this project allows you to
demonstrate the critical thinking, writing, and research skills that you
have amassed as a student here at YSU. Your FINAL CAPSTONE PAPER should
be approximately
12-15
pages plus bibliography, while the PROPOSAL should be around
7-10 pages plus bibliography
. You may also choose to propose an alternative project
that in some way applies your research to a new context, providing
original insights
into your field of study if you feel that is more appropriate to your subject matter.
The first assignment for this project is the research proposal and
annotated bibliography, which should be written in a standard essay
format.
You will need to explain the research work that you
plan on doing for your senior thesis. This project was designed to help
you as you begin researching your topic. You will be looking for various
research (differing perspectives from multiple disciplines) sources
that inform your topic. These sources should give general information
about the topic, explore various critical positions related to your
research problem, discuss any legislation related to your topic, give
background on various groups involved with your topic, and/or discuss
the public discourse regarding your topic.
A specific set of guidelines for this project have been attached, but in general, this project will have the following parts:
I. Introduction (Should outline your thesis)
II. Literature Review
III. Methodology
IV. Conclusion
