Research Proposal

A Time Between: The Full-Time Adult Undergraduate

A Sample Qualitative Research Proposal Written in the APA 5th Style

[Note: This sample proposal is based on a composite of past proposals, simulated information and references, and material I’ve included for illustration purposes – it is based roughly on fairly standard research proposal; I say roughly because there is no one set way of doing a qualitative research proposal. Much of its design is based on the nature of the research, your preferences, and your decisions about how to describe or portray what it is you plan to accomplish. The material in this document was adopted from a dissertation proposal created by Dr. Nancy Gadbow. A biography is not included in this sample proposal. To examine ways of creating references in the APA format and other suggestions for using the APA stylistic guide, see http://www-distance.syr.edu/apa5th.html or http://www-distance.syr.edu/apa5th.pdf . Roger Hiemstra]

Introduction

In recent years an increasing number of adult students are on college campuses seeking undergraduate degrees, filling some of the seats formerly occupied by the traditional, 18-22-year-old students (Apps, 1981; Cross, 1981; Leckie, 1988). Cross (1981) notes that part-time students make up the greater part of this increase. Indeed the number of full-time adult students is still quite small, particularly at four-year colleges and universities. While universities are noticing the presence of mature adults in their full-time study sequences, the number of adults interested and available for full-time study is still small (Rauch, 1991, p. 11).

It is this small number of full-time adult undergraduates that interests me, because there is the distinct possibility that this group will continue to grow in numbers. As the economic picture has changed dramatically in recent years, the number of adults "available" for full-time study has also changed. Certainly the increased unemployment figures, as... [continues]

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