RESEARCH LEARNING AGREEMENT

Attention Service Learning Student

Complete this form with your Instructor before you begin your research project

COURSE INFORMATION

INSTRUCTOR: ____________Jeanne Westgard__________________________

SEMESTER/YEAR: ____________________
COURSE NUMBER/SECTION: __________/_______________ COURSE TITLE: ____POLS
1100___________________
STUDENT INFORMATION
NAME: __________Thomas Altizer__________________________ PHONE NUMBER: ____801652-3510_______________________
E-MAIL:
_______taltizer@bruinmaill.slcc.edu__________________________________________________
_____________________

RESEARCH LEARNING PROJECT OUTLINE

Research-learning combines policy research and analysis with academic instruction,
focusing on critical, reflective thinking, and personal and civic responsibility

RESEARCH-LEARNING PROJECT TIMELINE

1. Work with you instructor to put together a proposal of what you want and
need to do during the research project. If you need help in deciding on a topic
or the feasibility of the study, the instructor is available during class and
office hours.
2.

Submit a finalized proposal to your instructor (see guidelines below).

3. Research your policy area to gain the knowledge your will need for your
written or oral report. You should collect information and media to use in your
report or project, for example; data, pictures, etc. that you would want to
include in your report to help share the experience. You are responsible for
ensuring that you do not violate any copywrite, confidentiality and privacy
policies.
4. Meet with your instructor during the semester for a progress update. Your
instructor may request more than one meeting.
5. You are encouraged to constantly reflect on your experiences and the course
to see how the concepts of the course and similar courses relate to your
experiences (your instructor will likely provide reflection prompts).
6. Do background reading on complementary topics to further your
understanding and analysis.
7. Submit the report and anything else that is relevant and give a brief
presentation on your experience.

Research-Learning Project Proposal

The proposal is a very important first step in forming the scope and purpose
of the project. You should make every effort to follow your proposal for the
duration of the project. Commonly, more fundamental questions need to be
answered before tackling the main question of the proposal. You should have
some flexibility throughout the term to refine the proposal. If and when you
feel that this applies, talk to your instructor, ahead of time, about the
challenges you are having with your project. Your proposal should address the
following questions:
1. State the problem, the need, and the significance of the investigation:
To further the understanding of the political spectrum in the US, and how
it applies to the current election.
a. What question do you want to explore the answer to or what
problem/issue needs to be addressed by the community or society at
large?
Which candidate fits me the best?
b. Why is the research worth investigating? Why is the answer important?
Why is addressing this problem/issue important? How can your research
add to the body of existing knowledge.
Every voter should be informed about who they are voter for and why.
2. About the policy issue:
a. What is the context of the issue? Please provide a brief description.
What that political spectrum is and where the most extreme candidates fit
in? What are their hot topic issues, and what about their issues pushes
them toward the right or left.
3. Data collection:
a. How will you conduct our research? Example: What databases are
pertinent?
By watching the debates and reading the textbook.

4. Analysis:
a. What concepts/topics from the course are related to the
question/problem?
Politcal Ideology and the voting process in America. Also PACs and
argument fallacies play a huge roll.
b. How will you use the concepts/topics of the course (and similar courses) to
answer your research question/issue?
Virtually the entire book helped me with my paper.

c. Are these other research topics that you may need to read/lean about to
supplement your understanding, methodology and/or answer the research
question.
Not really.

DATE

RESEARCH LOG
CITE SOURCE

ANNODATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

REFLECTION

DATE

RESEARCH LOG
CITE SOURCE

ANNODATED BIBLIOGRAPHY

REFLECTION