Theme: project proposal writing

2. Chapter 1. Introduction Background, Significance of Research, and Hypothesis. The introduction states the problem, i.e. describes the aim or purpose of the study. It must convince the reader that it is interesting and that there is a reasonable expectation of results. This section will include a short discussion of background and significance of research, noting previous experimental results reported in peer-reviewed journals. This discussion should display a development of thought leading up to the hypothesis or statement of purpose. Development of thought should guide the reader from an understanding of the general topic of your research to the significance of your specific project. Also, it gives relevant and correct background information to demonstrate the writer’s knowledge of the field by the organisation of previous work into sensible categories. You may include some figures in this section to facilitate communication of the information provided. This section includes a statement of the hypothesis, along with the anticipated research product (key questions with measurable outcomes). If you are developing a method, then this section should include a statement of purpose, with the anticipated research product (key questions with measurable outcomes) to prove development of an analytical method.

Some important questions to guide your introduction include:

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  Who has an interest in the topic (e.g. scientists, practitioners, policymakers, particular members of society)?
  
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  How much is already known about the problem?
  
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  What is missing from current knowledge?
  
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  What new insights will your research contribute?
  
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  Why is this research worth doing?
  

Timeline. A proposed timeline (covering the entire project) including short and long term goals should be provided. You can determine your timeline by working back from your destination date for thesis completion to your current time and status.

1. 
   What does a title of a research proposal incorporate?
   
2. 
   Where is a title normally located?
   
3. 
   What information does the Introduction of a research proposal include?
   
4. 
   What are you required to write in the Timeline section?