2. Insights into Developing and Submitting Successful Research Proposals for AOTA Conference Shelly J Lane, PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA Professor, Occupational Therapy, Virginia Commonwealth University Chair, Research Advisory Panel

3. Objectives Identify critical elements of a strong research proposal. Understand the submission process and application of scoring criteria. State three strategies from successful research presenters.

4. Some common sense advice… Read the instructions; take guidelines seriously Proof read Ask a friend Know your audience

5. Initial thoughts and tips Determine where your abstract belongs – Research Proposals: data based – General Conference Proposals: all other (includes research education) Read guidelines, and read guidelines again Begin at the end – Look at the scoring guidelines here; use those to guide development Make sure to include 2 nd and 3 rd authors as appropriate

6. Considerations for the Title Make it – Interesting Predictors of Depressive Symptoms Among Elders in Senior Residences – Descriptive Predictors…Elders…Senior Residences – Content rich

7. Common Errors in Title development Too long A holistic survey of global lizards in order to understand lizard diversity and the roles lizards play in the ecosystems and to help start a lizard museum Too short OT works! Not descriptive OT works! Title ≠ content

8. Thinking about Objectives Communicate your intent Describe the take aways Use active voice, action words Reflect audience level you will target –I–Introductory: define, list… –A–Advanced: explain, analyze… Examine motor ideation and planning in typical preschool children.

9. Common errors in objectives Missing Do not include action verbs Lizards need to be counted globally Do not reflect content Learn that lizards are crucial for children to understand Are not realistic within timeframe Gain knowledge of all lizard species in the world

10. Plan your presentation based on format Research Paper – Will be grouped with 2 other papers – 15 minutes each with 15 minutes for facilitated discussion Poster – Presented during a designated 2 hour period 1.Completed Research 2.Research in progress Must include preliminary data analysis

11. Poster format Many variations Templates online http://www.makesigns.c om/SciPosters_Templat es.aspx http://www.makesigns.c om/SciPosters_Templat es.aspx http://office.microsoft.c om/en- us/templates/science- project-poster- TC104001343.aspx http://office.microsoft.c om/en- us/templates/science- project-poster- TC104001343.aspx

12. Choose an appropriate primary and secondary focus Primary – Assessment/Measurement – Prevention and Intervention (e.g. Efficacy) – Translational Research (e.g. Effectiveness) – Basic Research – Health Services Research Secondary – Children & Youth – General & Professional Issues – Health & Wellness – Mental Health – Productive Aging – Rehabilitation, Disability, & Participation – Work & Industry

13. First Section of Research Proposal Objectives – One or two clear, concise, accurate objective of the work to be presented

14. Significance Brief summary Describe how your research addresses an important problem or issue in occupational therapy Indicate how project aims change concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventative interventions that drive this field

15. Scoring for Significance ScoreDescriptorAdditional Guidance for Scoring 9-10ExcellentExceptionally strong with few or no weaknesses 7-8Very goodStrong but with some minor weaknesses 5-6GoodStrong but with at least one moderate weakness 3-4SatisfactorySome strengths but with some moderate weaknesses 0-2PoorVery few strengths and numerous major weaknesses

16. Innovation Brief summary Describe how project challenges or shifts current research or clinical practice paradigms by using novel theoretical concepts, approaches or methodologies, instrumentation, or interventions for one field of research or in a broad sense.

17. Scoring for Innovation ScoreDescriptorAdditional Guidance for Scoring 9-10ExcellentExceptionally strong with few or no weaknesses 7-8Very goodStrong but with some minor weaknesses 5-6GoodStrong but with at least one moderate weakness 3-4SatisfactorySome strengths but with some moderate weaknesses 0-2PoorVery few strengths and numerous major weaknesses

18. Structured Abstract Clearly stated research questions or hypotheses that have guided this study Focused rationale/background describing why your research is needed; link this back to your research questions and hypotheses Methods – Describe the study design (e.g., cross sectional, survey, etc.); be certain it is appropriate for your research question(s) or hypotheses – Clearly explain how your data were gathered – Describe the settings (location(s) and/or environment) where your research was undertaken. – Describe the criteria and method(s) used to recruit and select participants or data sources for study (e.g. diagnosis, age, severity level, studies). – Describe the instruments or methods used to collect data or outcomes. If study is qualitative, describe data sources and type. – Describe analysis approach and rationale. If study is qualitative, describe data analysis and integration.

19. Results, Discussion, Conclusions Results – Briefly summarize findings, linking back to hypotheses or research questions. – Be certain to include results of analyses, appropriately described Discussion and conclusion – Concise discussion; indicates what this study adds to the literature – Interprets salient findings based on previous literature – Draws appropriate conclusions based on current knowledge

20. Scoring for Structured Abstract ScoreDescriptorAdditional Guidance for Scoring 21-25ExcellentExceptionally strong with few or no weaknesses 16-20Very goodStrong but with some minor weaknesses 11-15GoodStrong but with at least one moderate weakness 6-10SatisfactorySome strengths but with some moderate weaknesses 0-5PoorVery few strengths and numerous major weaknesses

21. Impact Statement Scored separately from overall score Responds to the question – How is this research important to practice, policy, and/or science? – How likely is this work going to exert a powerful influence on occupational therapy?

22. Rating Guidelines for Impact Rating:Descriptor AOutstanding BVery good CGood DSatisfactory EPoor

23. FAQs Do I need to include references? No Is a spell-check and character counter available in the online template? No. You should write your research proposal using word processing software and check spelling/counts before copying and pasting into online form.

24. Review of Common Errors Learning objectives not supported by content Research question poorly defined Rationale poorly justified Methodology does not support purposes of study Methods absent or insufficient Participants inadequately described Too much text on background – not enough on methods and findings.

25. Common errors (con’t) No data Analyses omitted, inappropriate, poorly described Results too general; suggesting that data has not been collected Conclusions unjustified based on results; poorly described Contribution to OT unclear If research work in progress, lack of preliminary data analysis

26. More submission tips Give yourself time – Call for abstracts opens in May 2014; begin soon Avoid jargon, acronyms when possible Avoid developing the proposal online – Develop. Rest. Edit. Rest. Review, edit. Copy and paste. Submit.

27. Last thoughts and ‘wisdom’ borne from experience You were not accepted – “The response to this year's Call for Papers was record-breaking with over 1,500 proposal submissions. The competition for available space was steep and many excellent proposals simply could not be scheduled… Regretfully, we were unable to schedule your proposal for presentation.”

28. Take a minute. Then – Regroup. – Rethink. – Revise (if appropriate). – Resubmit next year

29. You were accepted! – “Congratulations! The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) is pleased to inform you that your proposal submission has been accepted …Nearly 1,500 proposals were submitted this year with 1,021 submissions accepted for presentation... Accept or decline the invitation…deadline for accepting or declining this invitation is …”

30. Follow up – Accept or decline. – Register for conference. – Develop your presentation or poster!