GASB33H3 Guidelines for Research Project_ 2025 Winter
In this course, students are required to conduct an independent research project. While they have the freedom to choose a topic, it must be related to a specific aspect of Global Buddhism or a topic covered in this course (please refer to weekly topics).
This research project is divided into three parts:
Part 1: Select a topic and draft an abstract
Part 2: Write a proposal
Part 3: Complete the final research paper.
Timeline of Completion
students will be asked to decide on a research topic and write a 250-
300-word paragraph during the class, providing a general overview of their intended research proposal and research paper. You are allowed to change or modify your topic later. This submission accounts for 10% of the final grade.
students will submit a formal research proposal, including the
selected topic, an abstract (based on the previously written paragraph), an outline, and an annotated bibliography. The topic of the proposal MUST closely align with the final research paper. This submission accounts for 15% of the final grade.
students are required to submit a final research paper that describes and analyses their selected topics, approximately six to eight pages long (font size 12, double-spaced, or 2000-2500 words), following academic writing standards. The final paper constitutes 20% of the final grade.
Part 1: Topic and Abstract (10 points in total)
1. TOPIC (2 points):
Clearly and succinctly state your research topic in one or two sentences at most, ensuring it relates to the course content by addressing at least one aspect or theme. This does not need to be the final topic/title for your proposal and research paper if your idea is still developing. You are allowed to adjust your research scope or other elements before submitting your proposal and paper, though frequent changes are generally discouraged.
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Core Elements ofa Research Project Topic
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Buddhist
Tradition/School
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(E.g., Theravada/Mainstream, Mahayana, Esoteric Buddhism; Chan/Zen School, Tiantai/Tendai
School, etc.)
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Geographic Area
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(E.g., Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indian,
Vietnamese, American/Canadian Diaspora, etc.)
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People
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(E.g., monastics—monks or nuns, laywomen and laymen, non-religious people, etc.)
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Historical Period
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(E.g., Premodern or contemporary, or particular period or dynasty— Tang/Song dynasty,
Heian/Kamakura period, Mauryan dynasty, modern culture, etc.)
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Study Theme/Field
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(E.g., Meditation, ritual, material culture—Buddhist image and architecture, medicine, food, accessory, etc.)
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Research Perspective
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(E.g., Political, social, cultural or economic studies, comparative studies—with other religions,
transnational and global influence, etc.)
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2. ABSTRACT (8 points):
Your abstract must be between 250 and 300 words (being less or exceeding 20 words won’t result in any deductions) and include the following parts:
1) Ask Research Question(s): Pose your central research question. Your first
question should be a “why,” “how,” or “what” statement seeking an explanation of a phenomenon. Define your central question(s) in one or two sentences focusing on a debate, puzzle or dilemma. For example, why did Buddhist women in the Tang dynasty choose to be buried separately from their husbands?
2) State the Research Objective: What outcomes do you aim to achieve? What argument do you intend to make? What debate or confusion are you seeking to resolve by starting this research? (You do not need to cover all these aspects— stating only one objective is sufficient.)
3) List Research Sources and Approach(es): You must refer to course readings to write your final paper, which will have specific instructions outlined in Part 2.
However, at this stage, you only need to indicate the types of sources you intend to consult for your research project. These may include primary sources such as Buddhist texts, historical records, archaeological reports, or personal field investigations (i.e., epigraphic sources as shown in my sample abstract), as well as secondary scholarship, such as monographs and peer-reviewed articles relevant to your topic. Additionally, you should specify a clear approach or methodology you want to incorporate to write this paper, detailing how you would collect and analyze the data/materials to demonstrate your critical thinking, creativity or innovation perspective.
4) Provide a Research Plan: It is recommended that you include a brief research plan outlining how you intend to carry out your research project during the remaining time of this course, which can also be specified and developed as your proposal outline in Part 2.
5) Writing: Since this piece must be completed quickly during class, the main emphasis will be on the quality, content, and coherence of your writing. Minor grammatical errors may be excused.
[Sample Topic and Abstract (Do not distribute outside the course!)]
Topic: This study examines how Chinese Buddhist laywomen navigate their lives amid suffering, including bereavement, death, and rebirth, as reflected in the epigraphic materials from the Luoyang area during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) from cultural and social perspectives.
[Explanation: This topic is related to the themes of gender and death in this course;
Chinese Buddhist tradition; Laywomen; Central China—Luoyang; Tang Dynasty] Abstract:
[Asking Research Questions]
How did women in the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE) cope with the loss of loved ones and manage their grief by seeking refuge in Buddhism? Why did some Buddhist laywomen, when facing their death, choose Buddhist funerary rites that deviated from traditional customs? Furthermore, what religious and social aims were they striving to achieve through these practices?
[Research Objective, Sources and Approaches]
This study aims to explore the religious beliefs and practices of Buddhist women and to reveal their strategies for navigating drastic life changes, particularly those related to death—whether it involves coping with the loss of loved ones or confronting their own end. By drawing on personal experiences and reflections found in epitaphs and dedicatory inscriptions related to these women, we can trace their life trajectories and uncover details about their religious commitments, including the specific Buddhist teachings they followed or the distinct Buddhist community they engaged with. Additionally, examining archaeological evidence from their burials provides a material dimension to the “actual” thoughts of these women, offering a comprehensive understanding of how their aspirations were realized and their roles in promoting local Buddhism.
[Research Plan/Progress]
Focusing on four Buddhist women from the capital, Luoyang, this paper explores their religious practices and social networks in three stages: First, identifying the significant life changes that motivated them to embrace Buddhism; second, investigating the specific Buddhist practices and teachings they upheld to cope with these changes, both for their mental support and social standing; and finally, reconstructing the original contexts they established to achieve their ultimate religious aspiration, striving for transcendence of worldly concerns and the attainment of an ideal afterlife or rebirth.
Part 2: Research Proposal (15 points)
Your proposal must include the following sections:
1. Topic and Abstract
2. Outline
3. Annotated Bibliography
1) Title and Abstract (2 points):
• Create a title based on the topic you developed in Part 1.
• Revise, refine, or enhance your abstract based on your draft in Part 1.
• Your abstract should be written clearly and free of obvious spelling and grammar errors.
2) Outline (3 points)
Consider how to organize responses for research questions and outline the steps required for your research project in a clear and logical manner.
Please provide a comprehensive and detailed structure (bullet points may be used) that conveys an overview of your research project.
It should have headings and at least some sub-headings.
3) Annotated Bibliography (10 points)
Please cite at least TEN sources (no more than 15) in your bibliography.
At least FIVE of your sources MUST come from the course readings (no more than three sources from the same reading).
Choose a citation format (APA, MLA, or Chicago) and maintain consistency.
Please refer to the following links: https://www.utm.utoronto.ca/rgasc/student-resource-hub/writing-resources or
https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/avoiding_plagiarism/guide_overview%20.html.
Provide a TWO to THREE-sentence summary explaining why you have chosen each source and how it relates to your research project.
Pay attention to the relevance of the selected sources.
Part 3: Final Research Paper (20 points)
Please elaborate on your idea, perform. a thorough analysis, and complete the final paper based on your research proposal. Your final paper will be evaluated on these FOUR criteria:
1. Organization and Content
2. Descriptions and Examples
3. Critical Analysis and Creativity
4. Citations, References, and Grammar
The rubrics for grading the final paper will be made available prior to submission.