This guide provides information to help complete the Research Proposal assignment for ENG 125 Technical Writing. There is some general information about research proposals themselves, formatting and other useful resources. In addition, select the tab to access books and online resources.
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What is a research proposal?
A research proposal is a document that outlines the approach a researcher will take in order to find a solution to a specific problem. In other words, a research proposal is a summary of what you want to research, why you want to research the problem, as well as how you think the problem will be solved.
The research proposal usually justifies the need for the study while presenting already existing literature and information on your topic. Students and researchers need the research proposal to apply for either sponsorship or approval to embark on the proposed study.
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The main function of a proposal is to convince the reader that your proposed study is essential and relevant to your field of study. It is meant to show the focus of your research as well as the methods to be used to achieve the study's objectives. It is important, therefore, that you read widely on your topic to get familiar with the previous research that has been done to be able to refine your project and indicate its relevance and value to existing research.
Primary Sources are directly taken from an individual or group of individuals, while secondary sources take information from an individual or group and analyze the topic. In simple terms, primary sources come firsthand from the source or person. Some primary sources are diaries, court records, interviews, emails, letters, films, short stories, plays, poems, photographs, court cases, journal articles, newspaper events, and speeches. For example, a speech by President Obama would be a primary source.
Secondary sources are sources that are written about primary sources. If a magazine writer wrote about a speech President Obama gave, it would be a secondary source. The information is not original, but it is an analysis of the speech. Many secondary sources are used to argue someone's thesis or main points about a topic.
Research studies about experiments and information that has been stated but not interpreted is a primary source. Sometimes a source can be a primary source in one journal article and a secondary source in another journal article. It depends upon the relationship the writer has in the journal article. If the writer has been an active part of the research and custom-writes about it then this is a primary source. If the writer writes about research done by others then this writing will be a secondary source.
