Developing a Research Proposal

Developing a Research Proposal Overall organization Conceptual Framework and Significance Statement (Rationale) Objectives and Hypotheses Introduction, Methods, Timeline Pulling it all together

How do you think a graduate thesis proposal differs from a funding proposal, in its overall emphasis and organization? (or perhaps there should be no difference?)

Organization of a Research Proposal Should parallel the classic structure of a scientific paper: Introduction Methods Results Discussion Except that: (1) The Results will be a short section (preliminary findings; potential findings and their implications...) (2) Discussion => Significance Statement (short but important section, and often placed at the beginning) Within each section: move from general to specific. Funnel the reader!

Organization of a Research Proposal: NSF (after Friedland & Folt) Project Summary Table of Contents Project Description Results from Prior Agency Support Statement of the Problem and Significance Introduction and Background Research Plan Broader Impacts References Cited

Significance Statement Put at front of Project Description (?) Step outside your discipline What is the greatest contribution from inside the field, vs. outside the field? Consider both empirical and theoretical Consider both basic and applied Compelling! Logical! Reasonable in scope!

Significance Statement Keep it short Value of the work must be compelling Implications for other fields? Don t overreach!

Understanding hydraulic conductivity of a variety of aquifers has global importance and cannot be undervalued given the enormity of environmental problems related to contamination of aquifers. Our proposed technique, if successful, has the potential to revolutionize the way that groundwater studies are conducted. It may also greatly affect the rate of species extinction, global warming, and frequency of El Niño events.

USDA AFRI proposal Rationale and Significance - a) Concisely present the rationale behind the proposed project; - b) Describe the specific relationship of the project s objectives to one or more of the particular Program Area Priorities. Applications that do not address at least one Program Area Priority will not be reviewed; and - c) The potential long-range improvement in and sustainability of U.S. agriculture and food systems should be shown clearly. These purposes are described under Purpose and Priorities in Part I, B (page 1). Any novel ideas or contributions that the proposed project offers should also be discussed in this section.

Review of Significance sections: see handout

Introduction and Background 1. Literature Review 2. Preliminary Data 3. Conceptual Model 4. Justification of Approach or Novel Methods

Preliminary data can be used to show: (a) the research team is poised to do the research which constitutes their logical next step, and (b) existing information is insufficient to explain or resolve the research problem

The Conceptual Model is a good starting point for developing your proposal ideas and interacting with colleagues/collaborators.

Research Plan 1. Overview of research design 2. Objective, hypotheses and methods 3. Analysis and expected results 4. Timetable

USDA AFRI proposal Research Approach - Specifically, this section must include: a) A description of the activities proposed and the sequence in which the activities are to be performed; b) Methods to be used in carrying out the proposed project, including the feasibility of the methods; c) Expected outcomes; d) Means by which results will be analyzed, assessed, or interpreted; e) How results or products will be used; f) Pitfalls that may be encountered; g) Limitations to proposed procedures; h) A full explanation of any materials, procedures, situations, or activities related to the project that may be hazardous ; and i) A timeline for attainment of objectives and for production of deliverables that includes annual milestones with specific, measurable outcomes.

Different Approaches to Presenting Timelines Table 2. Project schedule. Project Milestone Description Delivery Dates Field sampling Sampling at post-treatment monitoring sites in 2009, 2010 6/2012 Future climatology downscaling Development of climate and weather inputs for fire 8/2010 modeling Spatial modeling of ignitions Point pattern analysis to predict future ignition distribution 12/2010 Simulation model LINKAGES and LANDIS parameterization and simulation, 2/2011 implementation model verification and post-processing of outputs Analysis of model outputs Statistical analyses to address our specific hypotheses 6/2011 Manuscript and report Final report; preparation of manuscripts for submission to 12/2011 preparation peer-reviewed journals. Science delivery workshops Ongoing workshops with managers and stakeholders: 1 scoping workshop workshop early in project; 3 presentations of results later in project as outlined in Section VII. 5/2010 (scoping); 12/2011 (results)

Different Approaches to Presenting Timelines

Thesis research proposal vs. funding proposal Proposal organization Conceptual Framework and Significance Statement (Rationale) Title Developing a Research Proposal Objectives and Hypotheses Introduction, Methods, Timeline Pulling it all together

How to Write a Proposal: pointers and order of operation Begin with an idea! Good research questions take time to develop. Brainstorm with your collaborators. Outline the whole proposal; develop a time-table So you can assign definite tasks to your co-authors, giving them plenty of time Know your audience (contact program manager)

How to Write a Proposal: pointers and order of operation Start with Conceptual Model, Significance Statement, Objectives & Hypotheses Research Plan & Timeline Introduction Budget

Objectives and Hypotheses Hopefully, these are largely developed before you write the proposal! Keep the number reasonable Avoid hypothesis creep an exhaustive list is exhausting Link to the significance statement Can appear in various locations within the proposal, and even repeated but should be specified more narrowly with each mention!

Significance Statement We wish to understand the biological implications of projected increases in global temperature on fish populations.

Significance Statement We wish to understand the biological implications of projected increases in global temperature on fish populations. Objective We will quantify responses of salmon to predicted increases in summer temperatures in their rearing grounds. Hypotheses A water temperature increase of 1 degree Celsius in May will advance the hatchling date of Atlantic salmon by 2 weeks. Advancing the hatchling date of Atlantic salmon by 2 weeks will reduce survival rates.

Pitfalls (after Friedland & Folt)

Pitfalls (after Friedland & Folt) Failure to establish significance Insufficiently novel? Establish significance but fail to link this effectively to the proposed project Devote too much text to complex details, past research, etc. Funnel & focus! Failure to construct testable hypotheses

More Pitfalls (after Friedland & Folt) Too many hypotheses Poor experimental design or data analysis methods Consult statistician! Project too ambitious Relative to budget/resources Inadequate skills or credentials for task at hand

Additional Pitfalls Insufficient literature review Failure to communicate with other scientists doing related work Failure to communicate with program manager Failure to adequately involve your collaborators, and to share the writing assignments Responding too narrowly to recently published papers (out of date already!) Rush, procrastinate, lack of time to digest ideas

Insufficient lit review Additional Pitfalls Failure to communicate with other scientists doing related work Failure to communicate with program manager Failure to adequately involve your collaborators, and to share the writing assignments Responding too narrowly to recently published papers (out of date already!) Rush, procrastinate, lack of time to digest ideas

Clear as an Aeolian Dust-Storm? Any Questions?