ABSTRACT
The first element of a research proposal is the introduction. An important common feature of these research problem statements is that they all point to some gap in our understanding of an environmental issue. This chapter examines the contribution of the "population factor" as a cause of deforestation in Machadinho D'Oeste, Rondonia, Brazilian Amazonia, an area with significant small-scale farming. Quantitative studies commonly involve either quantifying a relationship among variables or testing a hypothesis. Like quantitative studies, qualitative studies pose research questions that derive directly from their purpose statements. The chapter describes general strategy for analyzing the data, providing as many specific details as possible. A number of different types of supporting materials appropriate to be included in the proposal are: Verbatim instructions to participants, Survey instruments, Interview guides, Sample of informed consent forms, Cover letters sent to appropriate stakeholders, and Official letters of permission to conduct research.
