Would you jump into a swimming pool without first checking the temperature of the water? In their enthusiasm to get started, people sometimes jump into writing a research proposal without adequate preparation. To prevent this from happening to you, let us get you ready by zeroing in on the first part of the proposal: the introduction and literature review.

Many books are available to guide the researcher through the process of reviewing the literature and writing the introduction and background sections of a research proposal. Burns and Grove (2005) and Tarling and Crofts (1998) give practical and detailed suggestions for searching the literature. Tornquist (1986) provides an excellent guide for then putting it all together and writing the research proposal.

The introduction and literature review must guide the reader from the initial discussion of the problem, through an analysis of the literature, to the final statement about the purpose of the study. If I truly understand the problem, I can write a logical argument to convince the reader that the study is important and makes sense.

Here are five strategies to write the introduction and background sections of a research proposal:

1. Search the literature to gain a deep understanding of the subject.

2. Organize the materials found during the literature search.

3. Lay out a logical argument for the study.

4. Provide the details that support your argument.

5. Revise and refine what you have written.

Search the Literature to Gain a Deep Understanding of the Subject

Do some general reading on the topic. Look first for summaries or other sources where someone has already reviewed and synthesized the pertinent literature:

* textbooks;

* summary articles such as published literature reviews;

* background, literature review, and discussion sections of research reports; and

* position statements and practice standards of professional organizations that present what experts in the field say about the topic.

For example, when reviewing the literature for a bowel cleansing study, I read the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy's recommendations for bowel cleansing preparations.

Pictures can be helpful, because they show the information in a different way. For example, I am working with a large group of nurses on a project for decreasing the incidence of skin breakdown. I found pictures on the Internet that showed the intense pressure on the skin at points directly over bone prominences and how spreading the pressure over a broader area diminished the intensity of pressure at any one spot. The pictures reminded me of walking in the snow with snowshoes. When you wear snowshoes, you can walk in very deep snow without sinking because the pressure of your body is spread over a large surface on the snow. The picture triggered an analogy that was very helpful in understanding how to approach the problem.

You will find that computers are invaluable for literature searchers. Professional databases like Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health (CINAHL) and Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE) and also search engines like Google are especially helpful. I find that articles that summarize the literature help me get a better understanding of the problem, but I am also looking for research study reports to use later in the process.

I also like UpToDate, a clinical database developed for physicians. It provides literature reviews about various medical conditions that are updated on a yearly basis. No matter if you are in a university setting or a local library, librarians are a tremendous help when using databases and searching for information on the computer.

The literature search is technically a search of written sources, but I suggest talking with experts in the field as well. The experts offer an informed perspective and can answer your questions to help you develop a deeper understanding of the situation. Read widely and talk to experts until you are confident that you truly understand the problem and potential solutions.

Organize the Materials Found During the Literature Search

In a classic "good news, bad news" situation, the same computers that make searches much easier than they used to be have made publishing so much easier that the number of journals has exploded. Computer aids are available to help you keep track of numerous articles and organize them for easy retrieval. Many people use reference management software such as ProCite (http://www.isiresearchsoft.com/pc/Pchome.html) or EndNote (http://www.endnote.com) to organize citations (Burns & Grove, 2005). The software allows you to transfer citations and abstracts directly from references obtained during your literature search and add notes and comments.

I still use the old-fashioned way for organizing my articles. I get paper copies of all the articles that I think will be useful. As I read them, I underline the information that is most pertinent to my study and that I think will help me present my argument. Some people prefer using highlighters. I then sit down at the computer, write the citation in American Psychological Association (APA) format, and paraphrase what I have read in the article.

Putting the information in your own words does three things: (i) forces you to process the information, giving you a better understanding of the topic; (ii) helps you to write the proposal later because you already have the information in your own words; and (iii) helps you to overcome writer's block. In any case, copying someone else's words is plagiarism.

Lay Out a Logical Argument for the Study

The next step in proposal development is to write your argument concisely so that the logic is clear. Some people use mind mapping or outlines, but I prefer to use a skeleton of short phrases connected by arrows. For example, I used the following argument for a study about bowel cleansing preparations:

Colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer.

[down arrow]

Most colorectal cancer arises from adenomatous polyps.

[down arrow]

Polyps can be detected and removed with colonoscopy.

[down arrow]

If all polyps are removed, most colorectal cancer is prevented.

[down arrow]

Polyps cannot be detected if covered by feces, so the colon and rectum must be clean.

[down arrow]

Therefore, we need effective ways to clean the colon.

Provide the Details That Support Your Argument

Once you have a good understanding of the problem and the theory behind it, you can return to the articles for more details to support your basic argument. Now it is time to describe the previous research in the area, identify the gaps in knowledge, and explain how the proposed research study will address the problem. A common pitfall for new researchers is giving every detail of everything they have read. It is preferable to summarize some studies and give specific details of studies most closely related to your proposal. As I mentioned earlier, Tornquist (1986) is particularly helpful here.

Revise and Refine What You Have Written

Finally, strengthen the quality of your proposal by reading and revising until it is clear, organized, and persuasive. Refining your proposal typically will take several readings and revisions, so be sure to give a great deal of attention to this step.

Summary

In summary, read extensively, understand the topic, write a logical argument, and then fill in the details from specific studies. Choose a way to organize the articles so that you know where they are when you need them and have accurate citations. Finally, be sure to read and revise the proposal so that it is easy to understand.

References