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Chapter 15: Research Proposals - Coggle Diagram
Chapter 15: Research Proposals
General Overview
Find the right sources for funds.
Research a funder's priorities.
Make a succinct and thoroughly present proposal.
Components and Format
include the following sections in a proposal
Abstract
write a concise abstract that encompasses all the main points of your proposal.
Background
Unknown or problem/statement of need
overall objective of the proposal
general strategy
significance/impact
Pay attention to the first and last sentence
Make the first sentence short and start with key terms
Make the last sentence about the significance of the project
Include a statement of need
This explains the importance of the proposal
convince the reader
clearly identify the overall objective
Follow logically from the statement of need.
Either place the goal in boldface or italics or describe it using terms such as goal or objective.
Ensure readers can identify the problem
Specific Aims
List these aims in precise language
Make this section a part of the abstract or keep it separate.
write this section in list format rather than paragraph form
separate these aims into two to five concrete steps
Background, including Statement of Need
Provide context and preliminary results for each aim.
Follow the abstract/overview paragraph with background information
Provide context for readers
Arrange the background section in this standard order.
Aim/hypothesis (optional)
summary (optional)
Unknown/problem need
Background/known
Research Design
describe the approach for each specific aim in detail
Propose in detail what approach you will take to address each of your specific aims over the course of the project.
Make it clear how you have arrived at your findings, what you expect to add to the topic, the specific experimental approaches, the expected outcomes of your experiment, potential alternate approaches, and what implications the project will have. (Hoffman 2019)
Organize the section into subsections based on your aims
Heading: Specific aim/objective
rationale/hypothesis (sometimes optional)
experimental design
analysis
expected results (outcomes and significance
alternate strategies (sometimes optional)
Significance/Impact
End the proposal with a broad impact statement.
State the impact and significance of the overall project.
Focus on how people will benefit rather than on your own goals.
Mention evaluation plans such as a measurable objective
Follow instructions EXACTLY
Why this project?
Why me?
Why at my institution?
Why this sponsor?
Why now?
Additional Proposal Components
costs should be realistic and justified
List expenses required to successfully perform the proposed research.
Works Cited
Hofmann A.H. (2019) Writing in the Biological Sciences: A Comprehensive Resource for Scientific Communication 3rd Edition. New York (NY). Oxford University Press.