Background and Significance

Background and Significance
Purpose: The primary goal of this weekly assignment is to develop a Background and Significance section for your research proposal.
Prepare: Review Chapters 5 and 6 in the course text and all assigned required resources.
Reflect: So far, you have created a very solid Introduction to your research proposal. This Introduction sets the stage for the sections of your research proposal that follow. This next section is your opportunity to actually “sell” your research topic to your audience and especially to your instructor. In the Background and Significance section, you need to explain the context of your research proposal and why this research topic is worth your effort. Importantly, you cannot assume that your audience or your instructor is an expert on your research topic; therefore, you must provide just the right amount of circumstantial information so that your readers understand the implications of your research efforts. In addition, you must identify and explain potential hurdles to your research. You also need to convince your readers that your research is well-grounded in sound academic scholarship. Finally, you must bind your research clearly and logically. Remember, you are selling your research topic, but you must be clear, concise, and focused in your salesmanship so that your audience leaves convinced of your research’s feasibility and overall need.
Write: In your essay of at least three pages, complete the following:
Describe the purpose of your research.
Discuss the rationale for your research and why it is worth the effort.
Explain any major challenges or problems that you may encounter in your research.
Summarize at least three major scholarly studies that will support your research.
Defend any limitations and boundaries for your research.
The Background and Significance Paper
Must be at least three double-spaced pages (not including title and reference pages) and formatted according to APA style
(Links to an external site.)
.
Must include a separate title page with the following:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
Must use at least three appropriate sources.
Be sure to integrate the information from your sources
(Links to an external site.)
rather than simply inserting it.
The assigned paper you are analyzing each week will count as one of your three sources.
Other sources could include the course text and any of the required or recommended resources for this week.
You can also include additional resources found on the Ashford University Library website. The Scholarly, Peer Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources
(Links to an external site.)
table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types.
Must document all sources in APA style as outlined in the Citing Within Your Paper
(Links to an external site.)
.
Must include an introductory paragraph
(Links to an external site.)
with a succinct thesis statement
(Links to an external site.)
.
Must include a conclusion
(Links to an external site.)
that summarizes the main points and restates the thesis.
Must include a separate references page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the APA References List
(Links to an external site.)
.

Last Completed Projects