Instructions
Proposal Memo
Project 3: Proposal Memo to Conduct Research for Final Report (10%)
Instructions:
Prepare a business memo to a decision-maker(s) requesting authorization to conduct research for your final report.
Step 1: Identify the decision-maker or group of decision-makers to whom you will write this proposal memo and your final report
Step 2: Identify primary research to be conducted for your report.
Step 3: Write the memo using the template provided below.
Role of This Assignment in Your Research-Based Final Report:
This proposal memo is another preliminary step you take prior to writing your final paper, Project #4, the research-based report. Remember, your final paper in WRTG 394 will be a report in which you:
• define a problem in your workplace or community persuasively and accurately
• propose a solution or solutions to the problem or issue
As part of defining the problem and proposing a solution, you must conduct primary research. In this Project #3, Proposal to Conduct Research, you are asking a decision maker to authorize you to begin conducting this primary research.
Why Is a Proposal to Conduct Research Necessary?
The main purposes of the research proposal memo are to:
• demonstrate that the problem you’ve identified for Project #4 is signficant enough to warrant investigation
• present a feasible plan or blueprint for your research
• set forth potential benefits from the research that justify the use of time and resources
Template for Submitting Your Proposal:
Note: Please use the format outlined below.
________________
To: [Decision Maker Name(s)]
From: [Your Name]
Date: [Today’s Date]
Subject: [Project Title Name]
Purpose
[Provide a brief summary identifying the purpose of writing this memo.]
What the Problem Is
[In one paragraph, identify and describe the problem to which you are going to propose a solution.]
Why This Problem Needs to Be Investigated
[In one or two paragraphs, describe the reasons why you think this problem is important.]
What Secondary Research Has Been Conducted About the Problem
[In one or two paragraphs, describe secondary research you have conducted on the problem]
What Primary Research You Will Conduct About the Problem
[In one or two paragraphs, describe primary research you will conduct on the problem and solution.]
What Benefits Will Result From Your Research
[In one or two paragraphs, describe the potential benefits of implementing solutions to the problem.]
Conclusion
[In one or two sentences, conclude your memo. You can include a delivery date for your primary research and/or final project.]
________________
Length:
Your memo should be approximately 1000-1300 words in length.
Examples of How to Make Topics Specific:
If you wish to write a report to your manager at work suggesting that more teleworking options be given to employees at your workplace, you cannot simply prepare a report on teleworking. You must identify a specific problem in your organization and then show that teleworking will solve it.
If you wish to write a a report to your supervisor at work suggesting that email be used less frequently for communication and that another application be used to improve communication, you cannot simply prepare a report on the benefits of social media in the workplace. You must establish that your specific office has problems in communicating by email and indicate the benefits of using alternative communication systems for your workplace environment.
If you wish to write a report to your manager at work suggesting that your office become paperless, you cannot simply prepare a report on the benefits of a paperless office. You must show that your specific office can go paperless and indicate the benefits of your specific office going paperless.
If you wish to write a report to the board of directors at your townhouse community to argue that the playground area in your community should be renovated, you cannot simply prepare a report on the benefits of a playground for a neighborhood. You must describe your specific playground area and how it will benefit from renovations to it..
If you wish t write a report to the manager of your unit at work noting that recycling facilities in the workplace should be improved, you cannot simply prepare a report on the benefits of recycling or of good recycling facilities in offices. You must show that your specific work environment lacks adequate recycling facilities and show how it will benefit from improved recycling facilities.
Advice on Conducting Primary Research:
When considering primary research, consider the various forms of research outlined in the chapters from Markel and Bovee and Thill. Consider the following examples:
For a report on teleworking, you might conduct interviews with fellow workers on the topic to see how and why they might benefit from teleworking.
If you are proposing that email be used less frequently for communication and that another application be used to improve communication, you might interview fellow employees on the situation, and you might take screen captures of alternative communication tools to illustrate how they work and would improve communication in your office.
For a report on transitioning to a paperless office, you might take pictures of your office environment showing the clutter or unsafe environment that hard-copy files create.
For a report on building a playground area in the community, you might take pictures of the community area to show where such a playground could be built, and you might interview residents who have children to get their perspective on the playground idea.
For a report on recycling facilities, you might take pictures of the office environment to show that current recycling facilities are inadequate, and you might interview fellow workers about whether they find it easy to recycle materials at your office.
