International Development Studies One of Research Proposal

The extent of historical American involvement will also be considered.

In term of qualitative data, surveys will be conducted of demographic groups in the United States and Iraq. These groups will be approached by mail, email, or telephone. Survey questions will revolve around each person's understanding of democracy, the democratic process, and whether the respondents believe that the American government is currently promoting either or both. Finally, respondents will be asked for any suggestions to improve the democratization process in Iraq and countries similar to it.

Ethics and Limitations

To ensure the reliability of qualitative data, respondents will be allowed to remain anonymous when submitting their completed survey. They will also be assured that no data will be published individually, or without their prior consent. Consent forms to used their data will also be made available for respondents to sign.

Limitations could involve the unwillingness of citizens to respond honestly for fear of being persecuted, or for fear of appearing disloyal to their government. This could compromise the reliability of the study results. Because the survey questions are completed in writing, they will therefore have to be as clear as possible.References

Karl, Terry. 2008. Democracy Over A Barrel: Oil, Regime Change And War. UC Irvine: Center for the Study of Democracy. Retrieved from: http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/9kq895kt

Kirkpatrick, Jeane J. 2003. Democracy and Human Rights -- The Essential Connection. Center for the Study of Democracy, UC Irvine. Retrieved from: http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/962495x1.pdf

Meyerson, Roger B. 2006. Federalism and Incentives for Success in Democracy. Institute for Governmental Studies, UC Berkeley. Retrieved from: http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/9940s9bv.pdf

Robinson, William I. 2004. COMMENTARY: What to Expect from U.S. "Democracy Promotion" in Iraq. UC Santa Barbara: Global and International Studies. Retrieved from: http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/4kn10123

Vinck, Patrick, & Pham, Phuong N. 2010. Building Peace, Seeking Justice: A Population-Based Survey on Attitudes about Accountability and Social Reconstruction in the Central African Republic. UC Berkeley: Human Rights Center. Retrieved from: http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/763819rc

Welzel, Christian and Klingemann, Hans-Dieter. 2007. Center for the Study of Democracy, UC Irvine. http://www.escholarship.org/uc/item/3nb7x3qs.....