1. Statement of Purpose (also called the research problem)
2. Critical Questions (usually about 3; also called the “sub-problems”)
3. Rationale for the Study
4. Literature Review
5. Data Collection Plan
5.1 General methodological orientation (i.e. descriptive, expository, or creative research – or a combination of these)
5.2 Research Parameters (the “deliminations” and “assumptions”)
5.3 Research Instruments (i.e. document study, interviews, questionnaires, etc.)
6. Proposed Work Plan
7. Bibliography (List of references)