* Provides step-by-step instructions for students who will be writing their first research proposal in the social and behavioral sciences. * Each major section is divided into short topics. For each topic, students complete an exercise that leads them toward the goal of preparing a proposal. * Numerous examples throughout the book make the recommendations for proposal writing come alive. * The model proposals at the end of the book illustrate proposal writing and provide material for classroom discussions. * Provides concrete guidance for students who will be writing proposals for both quantitative and qualitative research. * The structure of this book enables students to work independently with confidence while writing the first drafts of their proposals. * All steps in proposal writing are clearly described and illustrated. * Ideal for use in: · research methods classes where students write a proposal as a term project, · thesis/dissertation preparation classes, · senior research seminars where proposing and conducting research is a culminating undergraduate activity, and · any graduate-level seminar in which the instructor wants to incorporate a project that will engage students in critical thinking about the content area. * Written by our best-selling author, Mildred L. Patten. Your students will appreciate her clear and informative style.