Chapter 8 is a guide to writing the research brief. A research brief is a carefully crafted 6 to 10-page written (1.5 spacing) report that showcases the most important and relevant findings obtained after completing the descriptive and investigative research activities in Chapters 2 through 7.
This research brief answers the core questions:
1. In what ways do you currently support, or fail to support, the neighborhood that surrounds the place that matters?
2. Should support be increased? If so, in what ways?
The format for the research brief that must be followed is described on page 181. It is important that you not just copy your working drafts together. The final paper needs to be a cohesive document that is clearly organized around the core questions provided.
Answers must be bolstered by data and observations that reinforce your assessment of the neighborhood’s strengths and needs. The brief includes an action plan or strategy for increasing or maintaining support for the neighborhood tha hugs the places that matters. That support meets a specific need or reinforces to an existing strength.
Review the six draft sections you have written, select the most important and relevant findings and drop what is least impactful. By chapter 8, the necessary groundwork has been laid to put together the final version of the research brief. That groundwork is the key ingredient for success. Not that all data and observations gathered cannot be included in an 8-10 page brief. You must be selective. It is important to explain the relevance of the data points you include in your final paper.
The brief should be a piece of polished writing. The final version of the brief is not something to put together the night before it is due. It is recommended that you contact The Writers Studio for assistance if needed. Here is a copy of the grading rubric for this final assignment. Please submit the final document in Word so that I can use the included tools for reviewing a document.
