Writing a Research Proposal What is a research proposal? Identify a problem/ Defining your topic Organization of a research proposal Writing a good research proposal

What is a Research Proposal? A statement of intent Supplies a rationale Reason why research is necessary Required for MS Thesis PhD Dissertation Professionals Every scientist must get funding from somewhere!

What is a Research Proposal? Contribution to the Scientific Dialectic A discourse, debate or discussion Contains a question requiring an answer Showcases research skills Mastery of field of specialization Capability to do independent scholarly work Ability to formulate conclusions Modifying or adding to knowledge previously/already known Answers a research problem/question based on previous literature Significant original contribution

What is a Research Proposal? The Steps Involved Identify problem and review scientific literature Generate objectives, hypothesis, and predictions Determine appropriate methods of data gathering Develop an analysis plan Predict potential uses for research

Indentify a Problem: Define your Topic Find your passion Define the scope Narrow Focus Begin Literature Review Find Knowledge Gap Critically Examine Literature

Define your Topic: Step 1) Find your Passion Find your passion and topic of interest What are you interested in? What question do you want to answer? What can you be passionate about? Are you willing to study this for 1-10 years?

Define your Topic: Step 2) Define Scope Choose a general topic of interest to you Read generally about the topic Take notes The problems with the research Related topics that interest you Key-words or constructs related to the general topic Try to be more specific Narrow your focus to a particular issue, theme or Problem This becomes the question Generation of testable hypotheses Prove your thesis

Define your Topic: Step 3) Narrow Focus Narrow the topic to a particular aspect Allows you to write Clearly and Completely How to get from “Environmental health” …to… “The effects of oil spills on Brown Pelicans”

Define your Topic: Step 3) Narrow Focus Environmental Health Pollution Marine Pollution Oil Spills Effects on Marine Life Effects on Waterfowl Effects on Brown Pelicans

Indentify a Problem: 4) Begin Literature Review Note down potential search terms Key-words and Synonyms All related constructs Components Issues Journal identification Specific articles http://www.lib.siu.edu Google Scholar Science Direct

Indentify a Problem: 5) Find the Knowledge Gap GENERAL TOPIC SPECIFIC TOPIC KNOWLEDGE ‘GAP’ GENERATE HYPOTHESES Find the KNOWLEDGE GAP Where is vital information missing? Are current methods appropriate? Are there more modern techniques Look with a different lens Go from “The Effects of Oils spills on Brown Pelicans” …to… “The Effects of Oils spills on the fecundity of Brown Pelicans in the Gulf of Mexico”

Indentify a Problem: 5) Critically Evaluate Literature Critical thinking– acknowledge the strengths How did the researcher conceptualize the problem? What were the assumptions and limitations ASK How is this research relevant to my study? How constructs were measured? How is it different to my study? How can I improve or extend this research? and weaknesses of an idea

Organizing Your Proposal Title of Study Abstract (200 words or less) Introduction Funnel Paragraph Literature Review Your Study: objectives & hypothesis Methodology Research design Data analysis plan Expected results Timeframe/Plan & Budget Primary references 1 2

Organizing Your Proposal Title Gives reader a sense of what you are examining Do not make it too general Needs to encapsulate what you are doing

Organizing Your Proposal Abstract All abstracts include Summary of research (200 words or less) Key words and phrases that quickly identify the content and focus Clear, concise, and powerful language The thesis of the work in the first sentence Background information Same chronological structure How not to write a abstract Do not refer extensively to other works Do not add information not in the original work Do not define terms

Organizing Your Proposal Introduction- Funnel First paragraph after abstract should be an accounting of the funnel process…from broad to specific Introduction of main question & interest in the study Introduces the reader to the topic in question

Organizing Your Proposal Introduction- Literature Review Identifies your study’s contribution to the field of knowledge Discusses the relationship of your proposed research to other local and international researches in the field Points out improvements in the field Tell a good story Must be well structured Specific to subject area Will vary based on what you have and have not read

Organizing Your Proposal Introduction- Objectives & Hypothesis Summarize your Study Significance of Research Indicate contribution your study makes to the field of knowledge, wider implications or uses Objective(s) Overall aim Our primary objective is to establish the quantity of oil required, to negatively effect the fecundity of Brown Pelicans Hypothesis Specific question(s) (hypotheses) We hypothesize that a lower concentration of oil (vs. the EPA standard) can still cause decreases in Brown Pelican clutch size and chick mortality

Organizing Your Proposal Relevant Tables Table 1. Effects of oil on two measures of Brown Pelican fecundity (Car, 2010) Oil concentration Mean clutch size (n=25) Mean chick mortality (n=25) 25mg/kg* 55% 15mg/kg 1 50% 10mg/kg 4 5% 5mg/kg 0% *EPA standard Double border top, single border bottom No interior lines Clean Left justified Caption below (10pt)

Organizing Your Proposal Relevant Figures Source (Jacobs, 2011) Figure 1. Seasonal distribution of Brown Pelicans Maps Study site photos Research design plans Capitalize first letter only Single border Left justified Caption below (10pt)

Organizing Your Proposal Style & Formatting Journal specific Font, size, indents Margins, spacing In-text citations References Headings You all can decide which to use Look up some journals’ “Guidelines for Authors” Bring up your selection next week Feel free to discuss!

How To Write A Good Proposal (Handout)