In a research proposal, your sources should not have the potential to answer research questions. True or False.

What do you think? Be sure to read your question several times, aloud if you have to!

If I was researching Nuclear power should I use the people at the Ice Cream store as sources?

False.

In a research proposal, it is important to include sources that have the potential to answer research questions. One of the main purposes of a research proposal is to demonstrate that there is existing literature and evidence that supports the research question being investigated. By including relevant sources, researchers can show that there is a gap in knowledge or understanding that their study intends to fill.

To determine if a source has the potential to answer research questions, one should consider the following criteria:

1. Relevance: Ensure that the source is directly related to the research topic and addresses the specific research questions being asked.

2. Credibility: Evaluate the credibility and reliability of the source by considering the author's qualifications, the reputation of the journal or publication it was published in, and whether it has been peer-reviewed.

3. Currency: Check the publication date of the source to ensure that it is up-to-date and reflects the current state of knowledge or understanding on the topic.

4. Methodology: Assess the methodology used in the source to determine if it is rigorous and appropriate for addressing the research questions. This can help to determine the validity and reliability of the findings.

Including sources that have the potential to answer research questions strengthens the research proposal and provides a solid foundation for conducting the study.