How to write a proposal

1. key points of
an empirical
media effects
theory that
provides the
proposal's
theoretical
context.
The summary is
clear, accurate
and complete
One of these
qualities is
deficient
Two of these
qualities are
deficient
All three of
these qualities
are deficient
The
summary is
missing or
entirely
insufficient
The proposal
specifies at
least one
research
question or
hypothesis.
Item is, or items
are, clear, precise
and empirically
testable
One of these
qualities is
deficient
Two of these
qualities are
deficient
All three of
these qualities
are deficient
None
specified, or
what is
specified is
entirely
insufficient
All questions
and/or
hypotheses are
relevant to the
theoretical
context at hand.
Entirely relevant
Mostly
relevant, but
some
confusion
about, or
misapplication
of, the theory
is evident
A roughly
equal balance
of relevance
and confusion
about, or
misapplication
of, the theory
Some
relevance, but
mostly a result
of confusion
about, or
misapplication
of, the theory
The item is
missing or
entirely
insufficient
The proposal
specifies,
describes and
empirically
operationalizes
at least one
dependent
variable.
The specification
is clear, the
operationalization
is free of
technical errors,
and the
operationalization
offers a valid and
reliable empirical
measure of the
phenomenon
specified
One of these
qualities is
deficient
Two of these
qualities are
deficient
All three of
these qualities
are deficient
The item is
missing or
entirely
insufficient
The proposal
specifies,
describes and
empirically
operationalizes
at least one
independent
variable
The specification
is clear, the
operationalization
is free of
technical errors,
and the
operationalization
offers a valid and
reliable empirical
measure of the
phenomenon
One of these
qualities is
deficient
Two of these
qualities are
deficient
All three of
these qualities
are deficient
The item is
missing or
entirely
insufficient

2. specified
The proposal
specifies and
describes an
empirical
procedure for
investigating
each hypothesis
or research
question
The description is
clear and correct,
and all
procedures are
appropriate for
the analysis
undertaken.
One of these
qualities is
deficient
Two of these
qualities are
deficient
All three of
these qualities
are deficient
The item is
missing or
entirely
insufficient
The proposal
describes the
importance of
each specified
research
question or
hypothesis by
explaining how
investigating it
would
replicate,
expand, or
challenge at
least one aspect
of the
theoretical
context at hand
in an original
way.
Item is clear,
accurate and
complete
One of these
qualities is
deficient
Two of these
qualities are
deficient
All three of
these qualities
are deficient
The item is
missing or
entirely
insufficient
This proposal
cites at least
five published,
relevant,
empirical, peer-
reviewed
studies.
All five cited; All
meet the
specified criteria.
Only four
cited that meet
the specified
criteria.
Only three
cited that meet
the specified
criteria.
Only two
cited that meet
the specified
criteria.
One or none
cited that
meet the
specified
criteria
The proposal
cites
information
from the course
textbook and
Item is clear,
accurate and
complete
One of these
qualities is
deficient
Two of these
qualities are
deficient
All three of
these qualities
are deficient
The item is
missing or
entirely
insufficient

3. meaningfully
incorporates
the information
into the
description.
The proposal
cites at least
one published,
empirical study
foundational to
the theory at
hand and
meaningfully
incorporates
the information
into the
description.
Item is clear,
accurate and
complete
One of these
qualities is
deficient
Two of these
qualities are
deficient
All three of
these qualities
are deficient
The item is
missing or
entirely
insufficient
The proposal
uses correct
APA style,
grammar and
spelling to a
degree
commensurate
with the
author's
experience with
English.
Excellent Good Fair Poor Unacceptable
Total points: __________ / 44 = ________ %
Letter grade: _________
Additionally, the proposal must fulfill each of the following criteria in order to receive a passing
grade
The proposal
includes no
fewer than
three pages and
no more than
10, excluding
the title page
and references.
Each page is
double-spaced
with one-inch
Requirement met ___ Requirement not met ___

4. margins all
around and 12-
point type.
Digital copies
of all cited
articles are
uploaded along
with the
proposal.
Requirement met ___ Requirement not met ___
The proposal is
submitted by
the specified
deadline