The first part of your Project Description is your Introduction – much like the Introduction in a research paper. The Introduction must accomplish three things: 1) Develop the importance of your research topic – why we should care; 2) Adequately review the relevant literature; and 3) Identify a gap in our knowledge or understanding that your project will fill. This section introduces the research problem, its significance, and importance. The Introduction is meant to build your case that this project is important enough to be funded. You will want to present the context of your study beyond the narrow focus of your specific question. For example, what are the potential scientific or societal justifications for your study? Make sure that you identify and review the work previously done in the field that helps illustrate the uniqueness of your research question. Make sure you divide your introduction into three main sections (at least three paragraphs) as outlined in the Week 2 information page. The complete proposal will include an introduction that is limited to 700 words. You do not have to restrict yourself to that limit for this assignment. Be careful, do not add methods into this section. This section should flow naturally into the Research Objectives.
The second part of your Project Description is the Research Objectives. This section is limited to 150 words. Be explicit and state the exact objectives (or hypotheses) of your research. Also, add a brief general explanation of why your proposed study is important and how you plan to do it.
Please follow these guidelines:
- Include the title at the top of the assignment.
- Write out the text using Times New Roman, 12 font, and double spacing for the lines.
- Include the bibliographic information for the papers referenced in your text (References) – single-spaced lines, alphabetized by last name of first author
- Include line numbering in your draft text (In Word, click PAGE LAYOUT, then Line Numbers, then Continuous)
