Project 3 Assignment Sheet^[1]

The purpose of this project is to practice the early stages of the research process for a larger technical writing project. With a small group, you will define a problem you want to solve and begin researching solutions. Each group member is responsible for creating a Problem Primer, an informational report that explores one specific aspect or cause of the problem and identifies stakeholders, community partners, and subject matter experts who might provide further information. The revised draft of your proposal should be 4-6 pages double-spaced, or around 1000-1200 words.

To be considered complete, your final draft should include:

• Your revised problem primer of 1000-1200 words (4-6 pages double-spaced)
• Your works cited or references page (minimum 4 academic, peer-reviewed sources)
• Your revision note, which includes a discussion of your revisions

To get started, work with your group in class to brainstorm about problems you’re interested in writing about.

• Tip 1: Think locally! What problems can you identify on campus? In Fayetteville or Northwest Arkansas?
• Tip 2: Think about technology! What kinds of problems involving technology impact students or locals in Fayetteville? Think about digital access (access to technology or resources), digital infrastructure (Wi-Fi, for example), and privacy, to name just a couple of examples.
• Tip 3: Choose a problem with multiple possible causes, solutions, and affected stakeholders. Since each group member needs to write about a different aspect of the problem, you should choose a problem that is complex and requires research to solve.

When you’re ready to begin the writing process, think about the following:

• How can you clearly and persuasively explain your problem? What types of research can you use to support your explanation?
• How can you clearly and persuasively explain your solution? What types of research can you use to support your explanation?
• How much will your project cost? How will you show the cost breakdown to your audience? What do you need to price for the project?
• How long will your project take? Can it start immediately, or will there be a research and development or design stage first? Do you have to account for factors like acquiring sponsorship, filing paperwork, getting permission, shipping delays, or weather delays?
• How experienced is your organization with similar projects? Who are the team members working on the project? What are their qualifications and expertise?
• How will your organization be accountable for your work? That is to say, how will you make sure the project is complete, ethical, on time, and within the client’s budget?
• How can you use graphics and document design to emphasize your points? Which parts of your report would be most effectively supported by document organization and visual choices?

Collaboration Requirements

You will work with your team to research a local problem and research possible solutions. While you will research and problem-solve collaboratively, your major assignment for this unit will be individually composed.

Content and Design

For help understanding this assignment and what types of content you might create for it, please visit the following resources:

• Chapter 7: Explore Potential Problems
• Chapter 8: Research a Technical Writing Problem
• Chapter 9: Design and Run a Pilot Study
• Chapter 10: Synthesize and Report Research

Final submission should be uploaded on Blackboard as a PDF or Word file.

Sample Assignment Outline

• Title Page
• Introduction: What is the problem?
  • What is the problem at hand?
  • Why is it important to solve this problem?
  • What is the main question your research seeks to address?
  • What communities are affected by the problem?
• Research Design
  • What are the steps you took to answer your question?
  • How did you choose the secondary research you reviewed for this project?
  • How did you choose your research method (interview, survey, observation)?
  • How did your positionality affect your research design choices?
• Literature Review
  • According to subject-area experts, what are the various causes of the problems?
  • What are key themes in the peer-reviewed research?
• Community-Engaged Research Findings
  • What do community members think about the problem?
  • What are community members doing already to address the problem?
• Conclusion: Looking Forward
  • Based on your primary and secondary research, what are the various solutions to these problems?
  • Which solution(s) responds best to the needs and interests of the community members most impacted by the problem?
• Works Cited/References
  • Match the style (APA, IEEE, Chicago, etc.) you’ve chosen for the document
  • List all sources you have quoted, paraphrased, or summarized

Due Dates

Revision Note

When you are ready to submit your final draft in Week 9, you must include a revision note at the beginning of this document, before your final draft begins. Your revision note must explain the revisions you made to your original draft and why.

Final Submission Checklist

[Give instructions to students on how to format their assignments here.]

• Research Primer
  • Length – 4 pages
  • Works Cited/References page
  • Annotated Bibliography
• Revision Note
  • describes feedback you received
  • describes how you used feedback to revise