Most people think that writing samples are just for children. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth! Writing samples are an important tool for anyone who is serious about their career. Today, we will discuss how to properly use writing samples to get ahead in your research career.
The Benefits Of Having A Writing Sample
Writing samples allow you to show off your creativity and critical thinking skills. They can also be used to evaluate your writing style and determine how effective your written communication is. For these reasons, having a writing sample is certainly beneficial for your career.
There are also several more perks to having a writing sample. If you’re applying for a job as a researcher, having a formal research paper to show off your creativity will certainly boost your chances of being hired. The key is to make sure that your sample paper is good enough to be published. This means that you must conduct appropriate research, follow the correct formatting procedures, and use quality sources.
Where Can I Find Funding For A Research Project?
If you’re looking for funding for a research project, the best place to start is from your own institution or from a private source. Institutional funding sources include research grants, faculty research funds, and student loan programs. Private funding sources include friends and family, as well as small businesses and angel investor groups. It’s also a good idea to ask your financial aid officer for suggestions.
Once you have the funding in place, the next step is to determine how you will use it. Some researchers prefer to use their funds to pay for an assistant, equipment, or travel to conferences and workshops. Others prefer to invest in new research projects or in a specific training program for themselves.
The choice is completely up to you! Just make sure that you choose a strategy that will get you ahead in your field.
How To Submit A Research Proposal
A research proposal is a document that lays out the objectives of your research and what you intend to accomplish. It’s also the blueprint for your research project. Your proposal should include the following components:
- The problem statement – This is the part that starts with the question that you’re researching. For example, “Will men or women earn more degrees after they graduate?”
- The rationale – This is the part that explains why you’re interested in this question and what you expect to learn from the study. You should mention past research that’s similar to yours and how your study will add to the field. Be careful not to bombard the reader with too much information – A good proposal should always keep the audience interested and engaged.
- The methods – This is the section that details the research you’ll conduct and the approach you’ll take. It should include a detailed research plan (with time lines etc), a literature review, and a collection of other relevant documents and information.
- The outcomes – This is the section that will detail what you’ll actually learn or conclude from your study. Remember, your audience is expected to be intelligent people so make sure that your findings are something new and interesting. Your discussion of the results should also include a section on limitations and/or further research that you foresee.
- Funding – If you’re applying for government funding, this section is required. Many funding sources require that you include this section and it’s also good to have additional sources of funding listed along with the federal ones. Don’t forget about grants that are administered by businesses, community organizations, and local governments. These can be great opportunities to have your research conducted.
- Reference – This is a section at the end that lists the sources you’ll use to research and reference your study. Always include your bibliography or reference list at the end of your study. It should contain a detailed list of all the publications, websites, and other references you’ve used in your study. Not including this can leave your study open to many plagiarism accusations.
- Appendices – These are additional documents that support the claims and interpretations you make in your study. These can include anything from interview transcripts to datasets or other types of supporting documents. Make sure that these materials are easily accessible and don’t exceed more than two or three pages. Having more than three pages of appendices can leave your study vulnerable to the accusation of being overly researched and thus lacking originality.
A well-written research proposal is an excellent way to get your foot in the door for a research career. It will make your mentor or university professor believe in your potential as a researcher and perhaps even propose that you conduct a study on the matter you’ve chosen. Submitting a proposal is also a great way to display your creativity, critical thinking skills, and ability to communicate effectively. More than anything, it shows that you’ve done your research and followed proper procedure so that you could learn something new and valuable. Congratulations! You’re ready to begin your research career.