Chapter 1

Chapter 1 is the official beginning of your proposal, it is a very important chapter in that it sets up the reader to understand an overview of the study and to appreciate the need for it. Let’s start with an outline from the checklist: Introduction, Background, Problem Statement, Purpose, Research Questions and Hypotheses, Theoretical and Conceptual Framework, Nature of the Study, Definitions, Assumptions, Scope and Delimitations, Limitations, Significance, Summary. I am sure that the first thing you notice is that there are many sections, each of these will be quite short- think of them as concise summaries.  

Again there are many resources to help with each of the sections (see the writing center and research center) I am just going to talk about the area that students have the most problems with, the introduction. The introduction needs to build a concise case as to the need for the study. Start general (think demographics) becoming more narrow. Clearly point out the gap in the literature and how your study addresses this gap. Also, mention the social change implications of the study. By the end of the introduction, the reader should be convinced that your study is the next logical step in the progression of the topic. They should know what type of study you are doing (e.g., survey, interviews) and how this method adds to filling the gap in the literature. 

Next time, I will discuss the next steps. Do you have an issue or a question that you would like me to discuss in a future post? Send me an email with your ideas. leann.stadtlander@waldenu.edu