Critical Interpretive Methods
In your Research Proposal, please identify the following by writing at least one full paragraph on each section:
Identify your object of inquiry/text that you will analyze.
Identify the significance of your examination. What do we gain from an analysis of this, why is this important, what will it help us understand? How does this relate to other work in this area? What larger contributions will this essay/study make? One way of addressing the significance could be gleaned from the “exigence” (Bitzer) of the situation: What triggered this text/event to happen or gain prominence? Could this tell us something about why it is important?
Along these lines, Wrage’s argument could be a helpful cue: “texts” serve as evidence for the larger cultural atmosphere. What larger issue does your “text” represent or address?
Identify three key themes or issues or concepts that you plan to address in your analysis. How are you going to organize your paper? What concepts are you going to use? What are relevant issues you may need to explain and/or draw from in your analysis?
Feasibility: what will you need to complete the research? Will you have access to the materials?
List 4 sources and briefly explain how you will use these sources or how these will help you in your research (2 sentences each at this point is fine). As a quick reminder, for scholarship in communication studies, the most comprehensive database is Communication Source (includes Communication and Mass Media Complete), which is available from the CSU Stan’s library website: click on Databases A-Z in top bar, then go to “C,” scroll to Communication Source.)
