A Guide to the Research Plan
General comments
In the Research Plan you need to set out a hypothesis / working theory you plan to test based on the dataset you are looking at, the literature that informs it, and then outline the methodology you intend to use to test the hypothesis. What we are looking for in this first stage is for you to show that you have thought about the question, the data you are using, and the approach you are going to take.
The questions are deliberately broad to allow you freedom to explore aspects of the datasets that interest you.
The suggestions below are only a guide - while we suggest you generally follow the basic structure, re- member this is your paper and you can tailor it to what you want to present. Make sure it covers the key elements, is written clearly and is formatted logically so that your reader grasps your meaning.
Introduction
(150 to 200 words - suggestion only)
Outline the question you are answering and your hypothesis here. Provide a succinct summary of your approach and rationale.
It is helpful to state upfront what your theory is and why you think this. A targeted introduction to the topic can help frame. the paper for the reader.
Literature and theory
(200 to 300 words - suggestion only)
Outline your literature and theory here (cite at least 10 pieces of literature). The literature can be academic literature or popular/non-academic literature (you should include at least some academic literature).
By theory what we mean here is your understanding about the causal mechanisms underlying the problem you are studying. This does not need to be some grand or formal theory, but we want you to show that you have thought about how the problem works and what might be driving it.
For instance, if you were studying ways to predict recidivism in offenders charged with a crime but released on bail, you would outline the major factors you expect to be causally associated with re-offending, and the rationale behind your belief that these associations exist. You may also want to outline hypotheses about how the phenomenon works. This helps explain your answer to the question and your variable selected in the next section.
This is where your literature review comes in. You should provide evidence to support the assumptions and claims in your theory and hypotheses. While we will look to (dis)approve our ideas with data later, we need to also both provide some support for them with the literature, and also explain what research others have done in this area and how it informs our own study.
Here you should explain what have you read, whether you agree with it or are you going to try and disprove some current ideas on the problem. This also helps explain your variable selection. For example, if you have chosen certain variables as predictors, you can cite literature that supports this (and/or discuss counter- arguments).
Remember, be succinct and focus on the key points. You will have the opportunity to build on this section in your final paper.
Data and methodology
(200 to 300 words - suggestion only)
What data are you using and how do you intend to analyse it?
Highlight key and relevant aspects of the data that you will use to test your hypothesis. Is there anything noteworthy about it? Do you think you will need to do any data transformations or manipulations in your next stage? Have you worked out what your dependent variable is going to be, and how did you arrive at this? Have you worked out what your independent variables are going to be, and how did you arrive at them? Remember, variable selection should be justified by your theory and/or the literature you have read on the problem.
We are not looking at detailed data analysis at the initial Plan stage. However, for those that do some and include it in a relevant way, that will help your paper.
Are you sourcing additional data to augment your analysis? What is it and why might it help the analysis? You do not have to source additional data but are free to do so.
Some visualisation(s) may be useful, but are not required.
Now that you have highlighted your key data, explain how you propose to use it your analysis. What model(s) will you use? Why is this model (or these models) appropriate?
How will your approach help answer your question / test your hypothesis?
Expectations and limitations
(Approximately 100 words - suggestion only)
What do you expect to find? Are there any limitations to your study as you currently envisage it?
Bibliography
(not counted in word limit)
List your sources (literature and data) here.
Regarding citation style, you can choose any style. as long as it is used consistently throughout your paper.