| Often PhD candidates find that they must write a | | | | been given by your advisor for this project. |
| research proposal. A research proposal is a very | | | | Different majors also require that you follow various |
| important step towards completing your degree and | | | | formats for your research. Some majors demand that |
| graduation. Successful research is the sign of a keen | | | | their students use the APA, American Psychology |
| PhD candidate. | | | | Association style and others request the Chicago |
| One begins the research proposal project with a | | | | Manual of Style. Using the wrong format for your |
| research hypothesis. This is most often a single | | | | research is a quick way to have your research |
| sentence. You know you have a "winning" research | | | | proposal turned down, as you are not following the |
| proposal when you can put it into a single phrase or | | | | rules. |
| sentence. Your research hypothesis is one, which is an | | | | After your research is completed, you will need to |
| idea or thought that you believe in firmly. It is also one | | | | confirm that the idea you have come up with have not |
| that you are passionate about researching. This is for | | | | been explored before by another PhD candidate or |
| good reason: the typical research proposal is hundreds | | | | student. This is also a critical part to your process. |
| of pages long. It makes good sense to select a | | | | While some students think that a research proposal is |
| research hypothesis that gets you excited and that | | | | simply about your idea, research and then writing -- it is |
| you are intrigued to find the answer to. | | | | so much more than this. It is also about researching |
| Many students spend a great deal of time discovering | | | | your idea to see if others have thought of this idea |
| exactly the right research hypothesis. They may | | | | before to understand if your idea is truly an original one. |
| discard various research hypothesis statements as | | | | Following these steps as they are given by your |
| they go about this process. Finding the best statement | | | | school is critical to the success of your project. |
| that suits your research is critical, as this directs all of | | | | Different schools and universities may give additional |
| your research and your entire project. There are times | | | | instructions for the success of your research proposal. |
| you can even begin your research with one research | | | | Things such as formatting your proposal or the way |
| hypothesis and wind up changing your research | | | | you cite your research are just as important as the |
| hypothesis as the research uncovers something else | | | | actual research and your writing are to this project. |
| you would like to explore instead. | | | | Writing a research proposal is an exciting step for a |
| Now that you have found your research hypothesis, | | | | PhD candidate. Most consider this a rite of passage. |
| you then need to conduct your research. Research is | | | | Writing your research proposal can be a bit exciting |
| critical to your research proposal. It is important that | | | | for some and even a little intimidating. Once this project |
| you follow the appropriate methodology for your | | | | is completed, you'll be Ph.D. |
| school or university. Follow the guidelines that you have | | | | |