To document plans for preliminary research and project deliverables in an effective and efficient manner.

On a regular basis, research happens in the workplace, but it seldom happens in an orderly and focused fashion. We are often required to use small amounts of time in between our other tasks. This can lead to the loss of valuable information and sources.

Increasingly, technology tools--web-based and stand-alone--are emerging to help us manage information and avoid this loss. Most of these tools are helpful for a research plan.

One element of a research plan is a preliminary list of sources. Each source requires two types of information: the details that identify the source (the bibliography), and a description of the information the source provides (the annotation).

You are to prepare a research plan that identifies your recommendation (i.e., "It is recommended that ...") and includes at least three (3) possible sources for your Recommendation Report that is due in Week 12. This plan must be delivered in proper memo format.

The Participation exercise for Week 4, Choosing an Effective Recommendation, helped you to arrive at a recommendation to work with for this assignment.

The goal of the recommendation report, for which this is the Research Plan, is to recommend one (1) specific, concrete, and actionable way to improve mental health. The recommendation for improvement is your choice. More details about the context of this assignment are in the Recommendation Report specifications in Week 12.

For each source that you choose, you will need

a complete reference for the source in proper IEEE format, and,

an annotation (descriptive summary) that includes a comment on the source's potential contribution to your recommendation.

In addition to the sources, your research plan must include three (3) other pieces of information.

Data Gathering Plan: A discussion (explanation) of how you intend to undertake the research to gather the data for your recommendation.

Timeline: The plan must also include some rough timelines (by week) for starting, conducting, and completing your research.

Final Presentation Date: The date upon which you would like to deliver your Final Presentation (See assignment specifications in Week 13). Presentations will take place, mostly, during the scheduled class session and begin Week 13. Video submissions are an option for the Final Presentation. Those who prefer to submit a video should indicate that in this section.

The Research Plan, then, should have five (5) separate sections:

1. The recommendation being researched (the Topic).
2. The three (3) potential sources, with documentation and annotation for each.
3. The data gathering plan.
4. The timeline.
5. The preferred date for delivering the final presentation.