In this assignment, you will discuss the foundation of your current understanding, assumptions, or predictions related to your research question. Making a base of predictions is essential to demonstrate your starting point before diving deeper into new research. The rationale will help you explain the personal or academic significance of your chosen research question or topic. The goal is to help your readers understand why this specific topic matters to you, and why it is worth exploring.
Follow the steps below to effectively complete this component.
Base of Predictions
1. State What You Already Know:
· Begin by clearly explaining what you already know or think you know about the topic related to your research question.
· Reference any prior knowledge you have gained from previous coursework, readings, or personal experiences that might inform your current understanding.
· Be specific about how this knowledge is relevant to your research question.
2. Identify Assumptions or Predictions:
· Describe any assumptions or predictions you have regarding the outcome of your research.
· Consider why you believe these assumptions to be true. Is this based on prior studies, theories, or trends that you’ve encountered?
· Be honest about any biases or gaps in your knowledge that could influence your assumptions.
3. Provide Supporting Context:
· Where applicable, connect your assumptions or prior knowledge to external sources, even if you are not yet conducting formal research.
· Cite any readings, case studies, or theories that have contributed to your understanding so far.
4. Reflect on Uncertainty:
· Acknowledge any areas where you feel uncertain or lack complete information. This will help shape the direction of your future research and identify gaps that need exploration.
· Organize Your Thoughts:
· Use clear headings or subheadings to structure your writing.
· Keep the tone analytical, yet reflective. The goal is to show the logical basis for your current understanding and identify what you hope to test or explore in your research.
Rationale
1. State Why the Topic is Important to You:
· Begin by explaining the personal or academic reasons that led you to select this research question.
· Reflect on how the topic connects to your interests, career goals, or academic field.
· Mention any relevant experiences, either professional or personal, that have shaped your desire to explore this topic.
2. Explain Broader Significance:
· Discuss how this topic is relevant not only to you but also to your field of study, society, or industry.
· Consider the potential impact of answering your research question. How could it contribute to ongoing conversations, solve a problem, or fill an existing knowledge gap?
3. Show Enthusiasm:
· Use this section to express why you are excited or passionate about researching this topic. Enthusiasm can make your rationale more compelling and relatable.
4. Link to Your Research Goals:
· Briefly connect your rationale to the goals of your research. How does answering this question help you achieve something meaningful? For instance, will it lead to innovation, provide insight into a pressing issue, or help inform future decisions?
5. Organize Your Response:
· Use clear and concise language to convey your reasoning.
· Consider organizing your thoughts into paragraphs that cover personal relevance, broader importance, and future impact.
Submission Requirements:
· The reflection paper is to be clear and concise and students will lose points for improper grammar, punctuation and spelling errors.
· The reflection paper should be formatted per current APA and 2-3 pages in length, excluding the reference page (no title page needed).