The Proposal AEE 804 Spring 2002 Revised Spring 2003 Reese & Woods

Research Genres AbstractsPresentations Books and Monographs Theses and Dissertations Research Articles Research Proposals

Purpose of a Research Proposal To justify a proposed research project to a particular audience, (eg. supervisor, departmental or faculty committee, external funding body, conference, etc.) To help you to focus on what the actual stages involved in the research process will be, eg. the exact methodology and data analysis that will be adopted To make sure that these are your ideas, and to help you to focus and crystallize your ideas To help to focus on a relevant and current topic To identify a gap or inadequacy in the research literature

Some Strategies Search through literature for topic related articles and books Read critically - look for interesting and suitable gaps - areas for research Talk to experts in the field - person, phone, letter, Use concept maps to link ideas, and /or formulate questions that the literature review will address

Typical Research Proposal Stages Title Abstract or Summary Introduction Background (typically a literature survey) Methodology Implications Timeline Budget Bibliography

Project Title The title should be brief but informative. It is important that it is clear and easy to understand, and describes what your proposed research is.

Title Check List Clear description of topic Distinguishes it from other similar topics Allows another person who is interested in the topic to find it Catches attention Brief as possible given the requirements Contains key words for basic searching

Abstract or Summary This is a very important section, as according to Locke et al.(1987) "The abstract..... bears a disproportionate share of responsibility for success or failure" It needs to be written for a wider audience, so technical vocabulary has to be limited "Abstracts for grant proposals usually begin with the objective or purpose of the study, move on to methodology (procedures and design), and close with a modest but precise statement of the projects" significance’ (Swales 1990, p. 187)

Introduction The introduction is also written so that a more general audience can easily obtain a general idea of what the proposal is about. It will also typically begin with the purpose of the proposed research (Swales 1990).

Why Is It a Problem? Reason for and significance of problem Any theory being tested, extended, challenged? Not why it can be done by why it should or must be done Convince the reader that it is worth investing time, effort, etc.

Purpose of Your Project & Expected Outcomes What is the purpose of your project? What are the outcomes of your project? What are the features and qualities that need to be embedded in your outcomes? How will you know when you have achieved the outcomes with the features and qualities desired? What criteria will you use?

Study Rationale Has the study been done before? Will the study advance understanding or influence policy?

Background including Lit Review According to Swales (1990) it is only in the Background and Methodology sections that writers tend to assume that their intended audience is a specialist in their research area and so use more technical language.

Purpose of the Literature Review Familiarize researcher with area and keep up to date with the current research in the area of interest Identify an appropriate research question Establish a theoretical framework for the research Justify the need for the research (adapted from Bruce 1994).

Literature Review, continued Explore the relevant literature Formulate a problem Defend the value of the research Compare the findings and ideas with your own (Bruce 1994). Establish a context and orient the reader to your research topic Use a common structure for the Literature Review likened to a "Funnel effect", which goes from general to more specific, ending with your research question, problem or objective (adapted from Weissberg and Buker (1990)

Methodology Researcher(s) will describe the steps to follow in conducting the research Assessor(s) will scrutinize it to evaluate the feasibility and likelihood of successful completion of the proposed research

Methodology Stages Include the Procedures and Materials stages and possibly some of the other stages, depending on your research area Overview of research Population/sample Location Restrictions/limiting conditions Sampling technique Procedures Materials

Importance Why is your topic important? This may be in terms of humanity, community, economics, employment, resources, environment, political influence, world agenda, future impact or other areas. How will the outcome you aim to achieve meet the objectives of: advancing community well being, developing a useful product or system, extending a body of knowledge, or enhancing your personal development and employment prospects?

Keys Writing A Good Proposal Informative title Self-sufficient and convincing abstract Clear research questions Scholarly and pertinent background and rationale Relevant previous work Appropriate population and sample Appropriate measurement and intervention methods Quality control Adequate sample size Sound analysis plan Ethical issues well addressed Tight budget Realistic timetable

Quality of the Presentation Clear, concise, well-organized Helpful table of contents and subheadings Good schematic diagrams and tables Neat and free of errors

Proposal Review Evaluate second submission of AEE 804 proposals