research proposal
GUIDELINES
FOR WRITING A
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Second edition 2004
(including a summary of the conventions for citing and listing references that apply to all assignments, reports and theses in the
Department of Psychology)
David Edwards
Department of Psychology
Rhodes University
Preface
The first edition of Guidelines for writing a research proposal appeared in 1997. It has inevitably been widely read, not because of its inherent fascination, but because, over its eight year life, numerous postgraduate students in the Psychology Department have had to consult it in order to survive (and in most cases master) the arduous process of writing a research proposal.
Several changes have been made for this new edition. A number of sections which led to regular misunderstandings on the part of readers have been clarified. There have also been minor administrative changes within the Department and the University which have required that some of the content be updated.
However the main change is that the conventions for citing and listing references have been extensively revised to bring them into line with the 5th edition of the Publication
Manual of the American Psychological Association (2001). In addition, the examples covered are more extensive and reflect a wider range of the kinds of references likely to be cited not only in research proposals but also in the thesis itself. This means that this booklet provides a useful source for all postgraduates in the Department of Psychology who want a quick guide to the conventions for citing and listing references for any work to be presented to staff in the Department.
David Edwards, February 2004
1. What is a research proposal and what is it for?
Whether you are planning a small honours research project or a major research project at PhD level, the process of research proposal preparation will help you to think carefully about many aspects of your proposed research. If you embark on a research
FOR WRITING A
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Second edition 2004
(including a summary of the conventions for citing and listing references that apply to all assignments, reports and theses in the
Department of Psychology)
David Edwards
Department of Psychology
Rhodes University
Preface
The first edition of Guidelines for writing a research proposal appeared in 1997. It has inevitably been widely read, not because of its inherent fascination, but because, over its eight year life, numerous postgraduate students in the Psychology Department have had to consult it in order to survive (and in most cases master) the arduous process of writing a research proposal.
Several changes have been made for this new edition. A number of sections which led to regular misunderstandings on the part of readers have been clarified. There have also been minor administrative changes within the Department and the University which have required that some of the content be updated.
However the main change is that the conventions for citing and listing references have been extensively revised to bring them into line with the 5th edition of the Publication
Manual of the American Psychological Association (2001). In addition, the examples covered are more extensive and reflect a wider range of the kinds of references likely to be cited not only in research proposals but also in the thesis itself. This means that this booklet provides a useful source for all postgraduates in the Department of Psychology who want a quick guide to the conventions for citing and listing references for any work to be presented to staff in the Department.
David Edwards, February 2004
1. What is a research proposal and what is it for?
Whether you are planning a small honours research project or a major research project at PhD level, the process of research proposal preparation will help you to think carefully about many aspects of your proposed research. If you embark on a research
References: (Second edition 2004) Including a summary of the conventions for citing and listing references that apply to all assignments, reports and theses in the Department of Psychology © David Edwards, 2004