Introduction (3 pg. min.) – Literature Review of the Topic (10 scholarly journal articles) What is already known about your topic? Review the key concepts, theories, approaches, and research studies already done on this topic. Once you have reviewed the major studies and perspectives, you can establish the relevancy of your proposal. What will your study add to the already existing literature on the topic? Why is your study needed at this time? A good Introduction section should: Outlines the problems investigated <– What are the variables of interest? Outlines Prior research studies, scientific works, & theories relevant to the problems described <– As the Expert, explain why your research is Necessary within the field. I do not want to know your feelings but rather what you know is currently going on in the field. Consider this a Literature Review on information related to your topic. Think back to the 8 Year old example: An 8-year old can copy/regurgitate information, so paraphrasing illustrates understanding & comprehension of the material. If an 8-year old is going to convince someone, they have to know what they are talking about. They can't just "quote what they heard." Outlines the Formal hypotheses or specific expectations of the present research are introduced and connected to past research <– a bit of what you plan to do. Consider how you plan to "Operationalize" or Measure your variables of interest. How are you going to group (categorize OR manipulate/control OR measure twice) your categorical variable & how are you going to measure your interval/ratio variable? (Mine is VACCINATIONS VS. AUTISM)