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Research Project Guidelines for Students in the US-China 1+2+1 Dual Degree Program

1+2+1 students at George Mason University are required to complete an independent research project in order to receive their Bachelor’s degree and graduate from the 1+2+1 dual-degree program. In most cases, this research project will be completed as part of an independent study course in the student’s final semester at Mason. The final product should represent approximately 100 or more hours of independent work. The following guidelines may vary slightly by department and project. Projects must receive a final grade of Satisfactory in order to receive credit for this project. All 1+2+1 students will receive detailed instructions during their second year at Mason.

PART ONE: PROPOSAL

In general 10-20 hours of effort will be required to prepare your research proposal, which should usually include the following elements:

  1. Suggested Title
  2. The nature of the problem or the main question that your paper will seek to answer.
  3. Description of your project including the significance of your topic, the scope of your study, your research strategy, and work plan. (As you develop your topic, your plan of research and your outline may change.)
  4. A working bibliography of 15-30 sources that you will use to research the paper.
  5. Tentative outline of the paper.

PART TWO: WRITING SAMPLE

The writing sample should be approximately 1200-1500 words (5-6 pages or more) and can be a chapter or section of the research paper. Please submit a brief explanation of how this material fits into the paper as a whole.

PART THREE: DRAFT OF FINAL PAPER


PART FOUR: FINAL PAPER

The final paper should be approximately 20-25 pages double-spaced (approximately 5000 words or more) and include a bibliography of 15 or more sources used for the research.

Additional information on dates and requirements for each progress report will be sent to all students throughout the year and guidelines may be amended as needed. For information contact Madelyn Ross (mross3@gmu.edu)