Research
Proposal Assignment Instructions
Overview
This
assignment gives you the chance to bring everything together. All sub-term long
you have been building towards this assignment, and now, using instructor
feedback on previous assignments, you are going to finalize your research
proposal.
Instructions
In
2,000-2,500 words, create a research proposal for your research topic that
includes an abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, rationale,
conclusion, and references (the last of which not counting towards the word
count) in that order.
Requirements:
1.
You
may use first person, but not second person. Only use first person when
absolutely necessary to talk about the fact that you are proposing research.
Some sections like the literature review should not have any, but you will
likely need it in the methodology.
2.
Your
grammar, spelling, and punctuation should be flawless. Visit the Liberty
University writing centers if you want extra help.
3.
You
must use current APA formatting.
4.
When
proposing that you will be doing an action (like in your methodology) if your
proposal is accepted, speak in the future tense.
5.
Use
Level 1 APA headings to differentiate between sections.
6.
Your
abstract should be a 150-250-word summary of what sections and topics are
contained in your research proposal; avoid arguing your case there. Your
abstract should be a scientific description of the parts of your proposal and
what purpose they serve in the context of your proposal.
7.
Remember
that the introduction of your literature review is not the same as the
introduction overall—the overall introduction usually focuses on the topic and
segues into introducing the research hypothesis or question, which is typically
the last sentence of the introduction.
8.
In
your conclusion, summarize your main ideas and emphasize the importance and
future helpfulness of what you are doing.
9.
Cite
at least 7 scholarly sources in current APA format.
Additional
Suggestions:
1.
Keep
your audience in mind throughout. While your professor will grade your essay,
remember that your audience will likely be someone who can grant money to
support your research. Assume that person, committee, or organization is somewhat
interested in your research topic. How can you show them that your plan to
study it is a good one that deserves financial support? It will be easier to
convince them if you can show you’ve done your research, your reasons for
studying this topic lines up with theirs, and your plan to study it will be
effective.
2.
Look
over the comments your instructor made on your other related assignments and be
sure to update sections of your research proposal for this assignment. Learn
from past mistakes and successes.
3.
Once
you have put together all the pieces, read through your proposal several times
to make sure that tone, ideas, and arguments stay consistent throughout. You’ve
sorted out the puzzle pieces, but you need to make sure they all fit.
Note: Your assignment will be checked for
originality via the Turnitin plagiarism too
