Revision
Further notes and example of the Research Proposal – Research Step #5
Use the organization outlined below. Be sure that your paper is double spaced and at least 400 words and no more then 500 words. When referring to sources, be sure to cite (attribute.) Include a bibliography of the two or three sources that you refer to in the proposal. You can use the following organization:
1. Rationale – ONE paragraph providing some general background on the topic on which you are basing your main research question. Explain why this is an important topic, worthy of an intensive investigation. Include a brief discussion of what is already known about the topic and who might benefit from your paper.
2. Research Question – ONE paragraph -- In this section of the proposal indicate the focused topic and your main research question. Be sure to list some of the specific questions that will guide your reading and writing as you attempt to answer the main question. Explain why you have chosen these questions and how they relate to the main question and to each other.
3. Research Strategy – ONE paragraph -- Discuss briefly the library and Internet sources you plan to use in completing your research. Refer to two or three articles, books, and or websites which have been most helpful so far (include these in the working bibliography at the end of the paper). Discuss what research techniques have been successful to date and where else do you plan to go to find relevant materials.
4. Brief working bibliography – include a few sources—about three—that you have found to date in APA format at the end of the paper under the heading “Brief Working Bibliography”
The following is a sample of a student Research Proposal with instructor comments in BLUE à
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Writing 303
Date: June 26, 2008
Main research question: How effective are AAC devices in treating autistic children?
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1. Rationale:
Explanation for choosing this topic |
The research topic that will be investigated is on augmentative alternative communication (AAC) devices, an assistive technology, and how this sort of device can aid the autistic population. This topic was chosen because the writer has firsthand knowledge of this type of technology being used on a child when volunteering at a hospital. This paper will look into the different types of AAC devices, their intended purpose and the effectiveness of these devices on the autistic population. [sounds like a great reason to investigate this area of your major.]
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2. Main Research Question & 3 Section questions –Determine the focus of the three sections of your paper -- with brief explanation. |
The main question this research paper will ask will be, “Are AAC devices effective in teaching autistic children to communicate?” To support this research topic/ question, the following sub-questions will organize the three sections of this paper: 1. What are AAC devices? How are AAC devices classified? 2. What is the intended purpose of these devices i.e. the theory behind the practice? [NOTE: Be careful here à intended purpose and theory that supports that usage are different questions.] 3. How reliable are these devices for the autistic population? Similarly, this paper will also look at disagreements from other professionals, specifically Occupational therapists and Speech pathologists on the effectiveness of AAC devices as a mode of communication. Presently, the organization of the paper is not finalized, but the paper might begin by giving a brief history of this new technology, augmentative alternative communication devices. Secondly, the paper will give a brief definition of AAC [Maybe you should begin with definitions.] then, it will discuss the types of AAC devices. Thirdly, the paper will attempt to illustrate what AAC devices do and how effective are they in facilitating communication in autistic children. [Where does the theory behind them come in?] This will allow the reader to have a true understanding of AAC devices and the usefulness of this technology in the disabled population.
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3. Research Strategy and Organization with sources found. |
To answer these questions, articles from journals such as. The Journal of American Speech-Language Pathology and Journal of Special Education will be used. To date, book sources have not been found. [You may find that information is only accessible with recent journal articles.]. Further research will hopefully find more sources that focus on AAC devices and how they assist the autistic population in communicating. Further research will be done at the NYC Mid-Manhattan Library. [Must include a few actual titles for full points.]
Nicely done. Have I seen your outline? Also, I asked that you include a few of the important sources you found in an APA formatted Working Bibliography -- please do so now.
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