Research Proposal
This final assignment for this class involves writing a short research proposal to investigate a theory or hypothesis regarding some aspect of immigration issues. Choose a hypothesis that we have discussed or covered in reading this semester, or another one that you have developed an interest on it (perhaps a point in one of the readings that was not pursued). You are to imagine that you are applying for a grant to carry out the research, and need to convince a funding agency to give you MONEY. Your proposal should include the following parts:
1. Statement of the research question. What phenomenon are you going to try to explain? Some examples might be: sociology of food and immigration, immigration and intermarriage, new immigrants from Asia or Latin America, consequences of migration (for destination and sending communities), adaptation of immigrants from country X in the context of NYC, gender and migration, immigration and changes in neighborhood X in NYC, immigrants in new destinations in the US, education of children of immigrants, bilingualism and socioeconomic outcomes, bilingualism and education, immigrants and college graduation, impact of immigration on native born workers, transnationalism and immigrant adaptation in the US, comparative study of immigrants in US and Europe (i.e. NYC and London), Muslim immigrants in the post 9.11 era.
2. Brief survey of relevant literature. Using readings for this class as a starting point. Depending on your topic you may need to go outside the reading list (particularly for topics that were not covered intensively by our readings). What explanations have been offered for the phenomenon of interest to you? Be critical in your survey, so that you will lay the groundwork for what you want to do. Minimum of 10 books/articles are required. The more the better.
3. Research design and methodology of your study. Here outline the following:
a. The hypothesis(es) you will deal with. Do not try to test too many hypotheses.
b. How you will collect the data, and what you plan to do with the data. Don’t worry too much about whether the data you discuss actually exist, or about the feasibility (except within general limits) of what you plan to do. In other words, if you anticipate using survey data, don’t worry about its existence, but rather, discuss the attitude and behaviors you would want to have information on. If you anticipate using interview data, describe how to get your sample and potential questions to be asked.
c. What unit of analysis is. Are you comparing attitudes, behaviors, or characteristics across different individuals? groups or organizations? cities? nations? etc.
Expected contribution of the research. How will the anticipated results of your proposed research add to the existing body of knowledge on your research question?
