S. Joseph Levine, a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Extension Education at Michigan State University, originally created these guides to assist his graduate students. Both guides, but especially the first, are very practical and focus on what Levine terms the "quasi-political" aspects of gaining approval for your dissertation, rather than the research process. The Proposal Guide offers a collection of thoughtful writing hints paired with relevant examples, as well as links to a number of related resources.