44e Write a research proposal.

One effective way to manage your project and focus your thinking is to write a research proposal. A proposal gives you an opportunity to look back—to remind yourself why you chose your topic—and to look forward—to predict any difficulties or obstacles that might arise during your project.

The following questions will help you organize your proposal.

• Research question. What question will you be exploring? Why does this question need to be asked? What do you hope to learn from the project?
• Research conversation. What have you learned so far about the debate or specific research conversation you will enter? What entry point have you found to offer your own insights and ideas?
• Search strategy. What kinds of sources will you use to explore your question? What sources will be most useful, and why? How will you locate a variety of sources (primary/secondary, textual/visual)?
• Research challenges. What challenges, if any, do you anticipate (locating sufficient sources, managing the project, finding a position to take)? What resources are available to help you meet these challenges?