What is it?
The short answer: A document that resembles a research proposal for a case study on a global issue that could be presented to an entity (government agency, NGO, private business, research center, think tank, etc…) that has interests in that issue.
The longer answer: instead of another timed test as the final exam, I want to see if you can apply the lessons of this class about gaining global perspective to a topic of your own choosing. Some of these lessons were about learning how to structure social science research; others were about learning from the example set by GSS researchers. I have designed this assignment to give you a chance to apply both types of lessons. To be clear: you are only proposing research, you do not have to carry it out. Think of this as a take home exam, if it helps.
Directions
Below is the recipe for how to do the research project. I want it divided into the five major sections labeled A to E below, further subdivided into how many numbered sections are underneath each letter. Each section and subsection should be clearly labeled at its beginning. The inside of each sub-section should consist of paragraphs with complete sentences, as directed below. You can include charts, images, maps, etc… if you want, but if you do, they must have a caption explaining what it is and a citation for where it was found. In the Appendix, you need to include a properly formatted bibliography/works cited page in the citation style of your choosing.
The Parts of the Final Project
A: The Global Issue
Explain what your issue is and why it is “global” issue. Do not just assert: get quotes and statistics to prove its global nature from reputable sources, and then cite them. [1-3 paragraphs]. Remember, a global issue impacts more than one place. You’re global issue cannot be “some issue in Florida”. Your global issue would simply be “some issue”.
Explain how it impacts Multiple Scales/Locations differently (i.e. how it impacts different people, different locations, and different processes in similar and different ways). [1-3 paragraphs].
Three examples of other case studies on your global issue, published in academic journals or by major NGOs or government agencies. Include citation and a brief summary of each study’s research in your own words, and then reflect on how these studies are similar or different. [1 paragraph, with 2 to 4 sentences on each of the three case studies, and 2-3 sentences of comparison]. You should use the article you submitted with your proposal, but you will need two more case study articles from academic, peer-reviewed sources. These DO NOT have to use the same case study/site you will be proposing, but they do have to be on the same global issue.
B: The Entity you are applying for research funds from. (Remember the “who watches globalization” assignment from earlier in the semester).
You will need to find an entity (a government agency, NGO, or private firm) that sponsors research on your global issue. In this section, you will give me the name of the entity, a link to its website, and a description (in your own words) of what is the overall mission of this entity is. [1 short paragraph]
What specific programs/research does this entity engage in that is related to the research you are proposing. Give specific quotes from their website that prove their interest/involvement/importance. [1 paragraph]
C: Research Question and Case Study
State your research question and explain why it will contribute new knowledge/perspective to larger conversations on your issue. [1 paragraph]
What is your research site/case study? Describe it (use reputable sources) and explain why it is a good location for your research. [1 paragraph]. Remember, this CANNOT be exactly the same as any found in your three case study articles. It can be in the same country, even the same city, but it cannot be with the exact same group of people using the same method. Then it would not be making an original contribution, it would just be replicating someone else’s research
D: Lessons Learned from GSS researchers
There were six modules created by other GSS researchers during this semester (all but one of these is in the second half of the course). They are modules 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12. Pick three of them, and one at a time, reflect on how each module you picked has a lesson you could apply to doing research on your global issue issue. These lessons could be about any of the following (or anything else you find relevant): research design; interaction with research subjects; selection of topics/case studies; connecting the research to wider conversations; ethical consideration; the validity of data collected. [One paragraph each, for a total of three paragraphs. Be detailed, not vague. Show me you understood what was presented in the module, and give specific examples. The questions at the start of each module can give you ideas for lessons from each module, but you can also come up with your own lessons. This section is definitely the most like a traditional take-home exam}.
E. How the proposed research could be carried out?
Give a research overview/timeline. Where is it happening, for how long, and involving how many people. What questions will you be asking/procedures will you be following and what type of data are hoping to obtain? What methods will you use to gather that data? Why are those good methods to answer your research question. Be detailed here – I want to be able to read this paragraph and say “oh, this is exactly what they plan to do.” [One long paragraph — use your case study articles and readings from earlier in the semester to get an idea of how to do this. But whatever you write, it should be able to be done realistically by a single person, just as most social science dissertation and thesis research is. AND PLEASE NOTE: YOU ARE NOT ACTUALLY GOING TO CARRY OUT THIS RESEARCH YOU DESCRIBE, YOU ARE ONLY GOING TO PROPOSE IT]
Explain how this research will help others gain global perspectives and help people/the planet be better off and/or at least better understood on their own terms. [One paragraph]
Explain some of the challenges you might face while doing this research (ie what could go wrong, how people could potentially be hurt, etc…). [One paragraph]
How will the research results be shared and why were those methods chosen? (Must include a report to the agency and some outreach to affected population and/or the general public) [One paragraph]
Appendix: Bibliography (also known as Works Cited)
Tips and Grading
Sections A and B require you to find and read your own sources, as we have practiced doing previously semester. Go back and look at the instructions for earlier assignments if you need help, or go ask an FIU librarian. Sections C, D and E should be able to be completed using only course material.
In terms of grading, my three major criteria are: 1) does it make sense? 2) is it well-written? and 3) does it show sincere effort? I don’t expect you will have a perfect understanding of your global issue, the research around it or the entities that fund research. This is hopefully the start of the journey towards understanding, not the end point. Similarly, this is not a research methods course – I don’t expect you to be able to have a super-detailed, perfectly honed research protocol here. Again, I am thinking of this more as a take home essay test than an actual research proposal. BUT! There are some things you can control. You have to propose a project that you could actually, as one human being (or a human being leading a small team),execute about a real global issue, which is targeted to a real agency that really works on that issue. The understanding of all of this doesn’t have to be perfect, but it does have to pass the “does this make sense as a whole paper” test. It can’t seem illogical or improbable. Similarly, it must be readable. All of you can produce a well-composed essay if you take the time and edit or get help from friends or the Writing Center to help you edit. Incomplete or run-on sentences, crazy long paragraphs, and other issues that make your project hard to read will lose you points. And finally, if you just give half effort – wherein you are extremely vague, pick only the first citations you see and/or ignore parts of the recipe – that will also lose points. But if you put in the effort, proofread, and edit the document to make it readable, and follow the directions, you can expect a good score
*I have a attached the research proposal with a part of section D*
