One of the biggest problem in creating a manuscript for research proposal is finding a suitable problem. But even if a problem is already apparent, it would still seem difficult to convince people (most often your instructor and adviser) that a problem is worth the effort for a study. And one way to solve such is to make a really good and convincing introduction.
Before writing an introduction, the following must be considered, (as suggested in the APA handbook 6th edition):
1. Why is the problem important?
2. How does the study relate to previous work in the area? If other aspects of this study have been reported previously, how does this report differ from, and build on, the earlier report?
3. What are the primary and secondary hypotheses and objectives of the study, and what, if any, are the links to theory?
4. How do the hypotheses and research design relate to one another?
5. What are the theoretical and practical implications of the study?
An introduction could answer these questions in few paragraphs. You might have several background studies and related literature to answer item #2, but presenting them in few passages as possible is better in order to have the reader get a firm sense of those. Do not feel compelled to exhaustively include all accounts. Always remember that you are making an "introduction". Save the rest in the RRL section.
It is also good to list all relevant topics that might be included as your research will progress, and create a concept map or outline that shows their relationship to one another. This will help you in organizing and arranging these topics. Although not a rule of the thumb, introducing the core of the problem (question #1) at the later part of the introduction would create a better impact, provided that you have presented the background (#2) well. Questions #3 to #5 would then support the relevance of the problem after it is introduced.
Citation of and specific credit to relevant earlier works are signs of scientific and scholarly responsibility and are essential for the growth of a cumulative science (APA, 2009). Therefor, you should see to it that factual statements in your introduction are derived from trusted sources. If there are statements in your manuscript that reflects your opinion or observation, it would be best if they are supported with related theories and literature, to establish that these are plausible - which would further be proven as you continue with the entire research process.
Some Tips to Make a Good Introduction of a Research Manuscript
How to Cite Books, Chapters, Reports in APA Style..
This is a continuation of the previous entry on APA citation. Still taken from APA Publication Manual 6th edition.
General Form
Author, A. A. (Year). Title of work. Location: Publisher.
One Author
Alexie, S. (1992). The business of fancydancing: Stories and poems. Brooklyn, NY: Hang Loose Press.
Corporate Author with an Edition and Published by the Corporate Author
American Psychiatric Association. (1994). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (4th ed.). Washington, DC: Author.
Anonymous Author
Dorland’s illustrated medical dictionary (31st ed.). (2007). Philadelphia, PA: Saunders.
Chapter in a Book
Booth-LaForce, C., & Kerns, K. A. (2009). Child-parent attachment relationships, peer relationships, and peer-group functioning. In K. H. Rubin, W. M. Bukowski, & B. Laursen (Eds.), Handbook of peer interactions, relationships, and groups (pp. 490-507). New York, NY: Guilford Press.
(Note: Succeding lines of entries are indented. Comment with your mail for a copy of the manual.)
How to Cite Journal, Magazine, and Newspaper References in APA style
There has been a lot of changes and differences of the APA style since the 5th edition. Most of the pages and sites that I have visited which summarize the necessary points of the APA style still follow the 5th edition format, which was published last 2001.
Here are some of the commonly used APA citation rule, taken from the 6th edition.
JOURNALS, MAGAZINES, NEWSPAPERS IN PRINT FORMAT
General Form
Author, A. A., Author, B. B., & Author, C. C. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, xx, xxx-xxx.
NOTE: The journal title and the volume number are in italics. Issue numbers are not required if the journal is continuously paged. If paged individually, the issue number is required and is in regular type in parentheses adjacent to the volume number.
One Author
Baywang, E. J. (2007). Mind Mapping: Improving Oral Participation in Class. Teen Education, 53(12), 40-45.
Two to Seven Authors [List all authors]
Mamords, H. W., Baki, T. R., & Cox, M. E. (2000). Approaching Senior Year: A Process of adjustment to near professional life. The Teen Journal, 81, 453-484.
Eight or More Authors [List the first six authors, … and the last author]
Wallop, S. A., Bultig, S. G., Maya-maya, I. N., Ten, J.-Y., Bangkaw, D., Dila, L.,...Grinich, W. A. (2000). An evaluation of patient-controlled therapy patterned to Roy's Adaptation theory. Pulantubig Journal of Nursing, 68, 843-856.
Mathews, J., Markus, D., & San Juan, D. (2009, February 16). Generation X today. Newsmonth, 145(20), 58-59.
Newspaper Article with No Author and Discontinuous Pages
Light of the World. (2001, August 5). The Dumaguete Times, pp. A1, A4.
(Note: all succeding lines are indented.)
ACECAD DigiMemo A502 - A great tool for notetaking
I hate writing notes. For real. Not because of the writing itself but because I am not good in keeping them - the papers. I tend to put them anywhere which usually are places very difficult for me to remember. I prefer to put information in my flash drive instead. But its easier to remember what you have written than what you have typed. There are many tools that enables you to scribble notes and store them as digital data, but the thing is, you are writing blindly. These tools make you write using a stylus with no ink on a pad that's not a paper. It kills the comfort of note taking using a pen on a smooth surface - a paper.
Frustration made me search the web for something that will enable me to write notes on a paper using an ink pen, and still store these notes digitally so that I will not loose them. And behold - I just recently read about DigiMemo. Exactly what I need.
The DigiMemo A502 is a stand-alone device with storage capability that digitally captures and stores everything you write or draw with ink on ordinary paper, without the use of computer and special paper. Then you can easily view, edit, organize and share your handwritten notes in Windows. You take notes, connect the device to your PC, edit your notes (it comes with OCR software), and save or send them via bluetooth or email. So convenient, it made me decide to get it right away.
The thing is, I can't seem to find (in the web) a store or person nearby, that is, in Philippines, who sells this product at a cheaper price. Well the tag is marked around Php5 grand. Quite a sum to save. But I'm sure I'm gonna get one. Someday. lol.
