What is a Prospectus?
A prospectus (also sometimes called an abstract) is a concise document developed during the drafting stages of your research project. Its purpose is to provide your readers with an overview of the specific nature and direction of your project. It may be as brief as 100-200 words or may run to several pages, depending on the specific dimensions your instructor asks you to incorporate and the particular stage in the process at which it is to be written.
The prospectus should clearly define the topic, articulate the central question or problem that anchors the project, and state the significance of that question for your research. For this assignment, it is essential that the prospectus directly address the terms of the research project prompt and the specific elements emphasized by your instructor. In crafting the prospectus, you should also consult The Craft of Research, especially pp. 37-71, as this section is especially valuable at the prospectus stage.
Please consult the following links for additional help in crafting your prospectus.
Links:
Sample Prospectuses from Former HCC Students: Thinking, Making, Doing (2010):