The project proposal should:

• Clearly define the research problem and innovative concept you plan to address in your final project
• Highlight and reference relevant related work
• Should be a PDF that is 1-2 pages long excluding references.

When selecting your topic, here are some general guidelines to follow:

• Pick an issue that matters to people.
• Select an issue that interests you.
• Choose a problem that remains unsolved (make sure to review the latest research!).

Components of the Project Proposal:

• Title
• Introduction
• 1-2 Paragraphs: Describe the motivation behind your work.
• 1-2 Paragraphs: Explain why existing research is insufficient in addressing your specific question.
• 1-2 Paragraphs: Outline your proposed work. Are you asking a new question? Are you offering a deeper understanding of an existing research problem? How do you expect your research to contribute to the current body of knowledge?
• Related Work (optional)
• Identify 2-3 related topics. For each, find one or two previous papers.
• If you have a hypothesis, include it here.
• Data and Methods
• Identify the independent and dependent variables. You may include control variables.
• Identify the unit of analysis.
• (optional but recommended) Include the url to the dataset(s) you plan to use to answer the research question.

Here is the template that you can use to structure your project proposal. Feel free to modify the template. Note some sections are optional.

Please note that the project proposal is not a binding contract. You can change your topic and update your design as you learn more from your readings and the instructor's feedback.

The project outline should provide a comprehensive plan for your entire project. You will submit a thorough project outline that is 3-4 pages in length, not including references.

Components of the Project Outline:

• Title
• Introduction: Refine based on the instructor's feedback
• 1-2 Paragraphs: Describe the motivation behind your work.
• 1-2 Paragraphs: Explain why current research does not fully address your specific question.
• 1-2 Paragraphs: Outline your proposed work. Are you introducing a new question? Are you offering a deeper understanding of an existing research problem? How do you anticipate your research will contribute to the current body of knowledge?
• Related Work: Enhance the Materials from the Project Proposal
• Identify 2-3 related topics. For each topic, write a paragraph summarizing what current literature suggests and has discovered. Cite 4-5 relevant papers for each topic.
• If you have formulated hypotheses, include them here.
• Data (Optional but Recommended)
• Describe the type of data you will use for your analysis. If you have specific datasets, provide details about the variables and observations.
• If you are collecting data, include the instruments you will use for data collection.
• References
• Include a bibliography.
• You may use any citation style, as long as it is consistent throughout the document.

Please note that the project outline is not a binding contract. You can change your topic and update your design as you learn more from your readings and the instructor's feedback.

The final report should follow the basic elements of a novel research project. Project report will be based on the project outline, but improved based on the instructor's feedback. The goal here is to put one of the methodological approaches students learned in this course into practice. The quality of writing matters in the project report assignment. The final report should be around 3,000 words.

Components of the Project Outline:

• Title
• Abstract: 150 words
• Introduction: 150 words
• Improved upon the material from the Project Outline
• Around 3-6 paragraphs
• Related Work
• Expand on the materials from the Project Proposal.
• Data and Methods
• Describe the dataset used in the analysis, including its source, unit of analysis, variables, and other relevant characteristics. Include a table of descriptive statistics and consider using figures where appropriate.
• Explain the methodological approach being used, including its underlying assumptions and how it addresses challenges in establishing causal inferences within your context.
• Results
• Present results in well-formatted tables and figures. Do not include screenshots of software outputs, as this will result in point deductions.
• Along with explaining the coefficients and estimates, interpret the results in clear, plain English.
• Discussion and Conclusion
• Discuss the key takeaways, implications, and practical significance of your research. Explain how your findings relate to existing empirical evidence, and consider connecting your results to the broader literature.
• Identify the limitations of your research and suggest directions for future studies.
• References
• Include a bibliography.
• You may use any citation style, as long as it is consistent throughout the document.

On the last day of class, all students will present their work as well as learn about other students' works. Students will prepare a 15-minute conference-style presentation.

Components of the Presentation Slides:

• Title
• Motivation: 1-2 slides. Include the research questions.
• Data: 1-3 slides.
• Estimation Methods: 1-2 slides.
• Findings/Results: N slides. Include at least one figure.
• Discussion/Conclusion: 1 slide. What is the main takeaway from your research?
• Acknowledgements/References

Please note that students are expected to ask questions to each other.