Task A: Research Proposal
Word Limit
500 words (+/- 10%) excluding the cover page and reference list.
Penalties will apply if you exceed the word limit by more than 10% (see page 8). Your final word count should be clearly shown on the document.
For Task A you will write a 500-word Research Proposal describing the investigation you plan to carry out, which will be related to one of the seven Sustainability Challenges. Prior to writing your Proposal you need to:
(1) choose which of the Sustainability Challenges you want to work on, and
(2) identify a specific aspect of the Challenge that you will investigate, and identify the appropriate disciplinary perspective(s), that you will apply.
Please choose from one of this two I have already check with my teacher
- How can plant breeding be used to enhance the resilience of crop production systems to climate change?
or - How can improved agronomic practices enhance the resilience of crop production systems to climate change?
This Proposal will provide the basis for the Introduction section of your Task B report.
Format
Your Research Proposal should contain the following sections:
A cover page for your proposal that clearly states the title, your name and student number, and a word count.
An Introduction and Background section describing key aspects of the Sustainability Challenge that you will be investigating. Why is this issue problematic? What aspects of sustainability are involved? What is the scale of the problem? How serious is the issue and whom does it effect?
A Research topic section identifying the specific aspect of the challenge that you will investigate, and how this is related to the overall challenge. This should include identifying one or more research questions that your investigation will seek to answer.
A Research approach section setting out how you plan to carry out your investigation. What types of information or data do you need to answer your research question(s), and where do you think you will be able to find it?
Your Proposal should include at least four appropriate references to published material, including at least one reference to a peer reviewed academic journal article. Other suitable references include media articles and industry and government reports and websites. Use Harvard referencing style.
Assessment Criteria
Marks will be awarded according to the following assessment criteria and weightings:
Clear explanation of your chosen Sustainability Challenge
and its scope and scale 35%
Clear description of the aspect of the challenge that you will investigate,
and how it relates to the overall Challenge, including a statement of your
proposed research question(s) and research approach 35%
Have claims/arguments been substantiated by evidence 10%
Quality of English expression 10%
Presentation of the proposal 10%
TOTAL
