Writing the Research Proposal

1. Writing the Research Proposal

2. The Researcher - The Architect • Written proposal - the detailed plans • problem and subproblems are stated • hypotheses / questions are articulated • terms defined • limitations carefully specified • reason for conducting the • study (it’s importance) • outline • resources, qualifications, data, computer facilities

3. Importance of the Proposal • A clear well-written proposal is essential • no substitute for the explicit setting forth of both problem and procedure • Other names: prospectus, plan, outline statement, draft

4. Proposal Characteristics • Straightforward document • not a literary production • clearly organized

5. Straightforward Document • No extraneous or irreverent material • Don’t tell us why you became interested in the topic • The first words you write are the most important ones • looking forward

6. Not a Literary Production • Clear, sharp and precise • describes future work with an economy of word and the precision of measurement • the skill of writing this way is very demanding!

7. Clearly Organized • Outlined with proper use of headings and subheadings

8. Outline of the Research Proposal • Problem Description • Research Objectives • Literature Review • Importance/Benefits of the Study • Research Design Data Analysis • Schedule • Facilities and Special Resources • Deliverables • References From our discussion 8/24

9. Outlines • ours three major categories • Problem Description • Research Objectives • Importance/Benefits of the Study • Leedy 1 problem major and 5 minor • the statement of the problem and subproblems • the hypothesis • the delimitations • the definition of terms • the assumptions • the importance of the study

10. Outlines • For student researchers, qualification section not needed • Our proposal has two added major sections: • Facilities and Special Resources • Deliverables

11. Formatting • Headings and Subheadings • Follow the guidelines of the funding/reviewer organization • Remember, BSU has no formal proposal guidelines, but they do have very strict guidelines for the actual thesis. If you are going to do a thesis option, please get the latest set of guidelines from the graduate office

12. Writing first draft • Have a copy of the guidelines handy - follow them exactly • first focus on organization, then on exact wording • now review • make sure you presented your research problem right from the start • hit it’s importance

13. Writing first draft • now review • leave nothing unsaid, no question unanswered • methods ( try to include all details)

14. Revising Your Proposal • Set it aside for a few days (hours) • look for inconsistency, leaps of logic. • Look at sentences with …. this ..., it • grammar check, spelling check, reference check, • other readers • consider feasibility

15. Last but not least • Clearly define how you are going to interpret the data • the interpret is just not categorizing, or tabulating or finding some statistic • these are important steps in interpreting but not an analysis

16. Strengthening Your Proposal • After all the review is done • review checklist for features detracting from proposal effectiveness page 137 in you Practical Research Planning and Design