research final: abortion

Research Proposal Components

Background 1. The background should be a big-picture assessment of the topic that you have selected to study

and be somewhere between 3 – 4 pages. The background includes relevant information that

ultimately leads to justifying why you are proposing to conduct your research. Recall that you will

not be doing the research – merely proposing that it be done. The conclusion of the background

section must include the specific hypothesis/question you are addressing. Some researchers list

Specific Aims at the end of their background sections when they are writing proposals. You may

wish to do this. You also will have the rubric to work with ahead of time. This is will help you craft

your background section.

2. Please include all references you have already found and please be sure to use them in the text

with in-text citations. You may add more references than the original five.

Methods 1. Your proposal methods should be a clear description of how you will test your hypothesis or

answer your research question. Page limit = 2 – 3 pages. Your methods likely will be similar to

techniques used by other researchers. You must cite those methods. Your methods also must be

repeatable. Can a reader follow your technique and repeat your study later on? If not, then you

must revise your writing so it is clear. Your methods cannot be in a series of steps – listed out as

1, 2, 3, and so on. This section also must be written in paragraph form. Finally, what results do

you expect to get? What will be the significance of those results? How will you use the

information?

2. Please include all references that are relevant to the methods you want to use. You may need to

add even more sources - that is fine! Please add all that you need- but remember to use all the

references you cite. Continue to use in-text citations.

References 1. All references must be in alphabetical order.

2. Citation format must be consistent throughout the document.

3. All references must be used within the body of the background and methods.