GUIDELINES FOR WRITING THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Introduction
This section should introduce the reader to the project, give the rationale for the research, beginning with a statement of the problems in general, and ending with the purpose of the current study.

Literature Review Section
Summarize what the literature says about both the specific topic and pertinent related topics, indicating any current gaps or shortcomings which justify the current study.

Avoid making the entire literature review merely a series of summary statements about each individual article.  Instead, decide what pertinent points the literature addresses, and summarize these in your own words, giving references, and relate this back to your proposed research.

Methods Section
The methods section should provide the reader with detailed information about how the study was designed and carried out.  Be sure to include all of the following:

• Hypotheses or research questions.
• Study design and procedures.  Be sure to include the method of assigning subjects to groups, if applicable.
• Study population and method of sampling.  Include how subjects will be eliminated from the sample, if any.  Describe in detail the procedures that will be used for the protection of human subjects and how the collected data will be stored and protected.
• Operational definitions and methods of measurement
• Instrument reliability and validity.

Budget

Develop a budget necessary to completely fund the project.  Include a budget justification statement for each line item contained within the budget.

References
Appropriately cite all references in the document using an accepted style (APA, MLA, Index Medicus, or the style required by the journal where you intend to publish your findings). 

Evaluation of Research Proposals
The following standards will be used in grading the research proposals:

• All portions of the proposal are addressed in sufficient detail to make the study clear to the reader.
• Throughout the paper there is evidence of analytic thinking and ability to conceptualize the research process.  Papers which consist mainly of a series of facts, such as might have been copied from class notes, references, etc., with little evidence of original thought are not acceptable.
• There are no factual errors or major omissions.
• The research design is sound.
• Material is logically organized and presented.
• Technical presentation (e.g., grammar, format, spelling, etc.) is correct and neat.
• The proposal is submitted on time.