PROJECT 1
PROPOSAL GUIDE
2025
Based on 2025 tutorial letters
Additional resources linked in document
Examples included
Referencing guide attached
, Property of Perfectionist Notes
Illegal distribution/selling/use will be prosecuted
Contents
1. INSTRUCTIONS ............................................................................................................................ 3
2. Assessment criteria for THIRD ASSIGNMENT: ................................................................................ 6
3. THE BROAD TOPIC: PROJECT 1 - ONLINE DATING........................................................................... 7
4. Basics of a research proposal:...................................................................................................... 11
4.1. What is a research proposal ................................................................................................. 11
4.2. What is a research problem? ................................................................................................ 11
5. Structure for your research proposal: ......................................................................................... 12
6. APA 7TH EDITION REFERENCING GUIDE......................................................................................... 31
EXAMPLE RESEARCH PROPOSALS ........................................................................................................ 37
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, Property of Perfectionist Notes
Illegal distribution/selling/use will be prosecuted
1. INSTRUCTIONS
(Resource: HRPYC81/102/2025)
This assignment counts 6.6% of your overall mark
RESEARCH PROJECT 1
All information is from tut 102
THIRD ASSIGNMENT (ASSESSMENT NUMBER 3)
• In your third assignment, you are expected to write a research proposal.
• Based on the feedback you received for your second assignment, continue to improve upon
writing your literature review on dating app use in relation to at least two of the
outcome variables assessed in this research project.
• Based on the improved literature review, propose at least two research hypotheses.
• The research hypotheses must be logically derived from the literature review and testable
by the measurements used in this research project (see under Measurements).
Structure of the THIRD ASSIGNMENT
• Cover page: (Module code: HRPYC81, research project number, assignment number,
your surname and student number)
• Page 2 – Table of contents
• Page 3 – proposal contents: 10 pages
• Second Last Page - References: List the references alphabetically that you used in your
assignment (see Tutorial Letter 103 under References). Ensure that all in-text references
are included and that you apply APA 7 edition standards when you report your references
(both in text and in the reference list).
• Last Page - Plagiarism Declaration: Sign and attach the Good Research and Plagiarism
Declaration.
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, Property of Perfectionist Notes
Illegal distribution/selling/use will be prosecuted
Standard Format:
• Line Spacing = 1.5 (only use double line spacing if specified)
• Font = 11 Calibri or 11 Arial or 12 Times New Roman
(This is general formatting that can be used for all assignments at UNISA - but some
assignments may give specific instructions)
Additional Information:
• For your third assignment, which involves writing a research proposal, you will need to
adjust based on the feedback you received for your first literature review draft (second
assignment).
• It is important to carefully consider this feedback and incorporate the suggestions as you
refine your work.
• The literature review in your research proposal will have a different structure from
the one you submitted for the second assignment.
• Firstly, you will need to write an introduction for the third assignment.
• This section should provide a clear overview of the overall research problem, briefly
introducing the research topic, its relevance, and why it is important.
• The introduction should also outline the main concepts involved in your study and their
relationships, setting the stage for the detailed research proposal to follow.
• You can draw upon your answer to the fourth question of the second assignment
(regarding the significance of studying romantic relationship formations through dating
apps in South Africa) to frame this introduction and provide context for the research
problem.
Some tut 102 info:
Introduction
• provide a clear overview of the overall research problem,
• briefly introducing (1) the research topic, (2) its relevance, and (3) why it is
important.
• The introduction should also outline (4) the main concepts involved in your study
and their relationships, setting the stage for the detailed research proposal to follow.
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