You will also learn how to critically review the literature to ensure that a research question has not already been answered or has not been answered the way you plan to. In doing so, you will practice identifying the logical steps needed to accomplish your research goals. Your research proposal must address the following questions:
What do you plan to accomplish? Be clear and succinct in defining the research problem and what it is you are proposing to research
Why do you want to do it? In addition to detailing your research design, you also must conduct a thorough review of the literature and provide convincing evidence that it is a topic worthy of study. Be sure to answer the “So What?” question
How are you going to do it? Be sure that what you propose is doable.
format
Project Title:Give it a descriptive title
Principle investigator: Your name
Collaborators: Group member names
PART I: INTRODUCTION (~ 3 paragraphs)
Your introduction should start on a general level with introductory remarks before going into details of the specific research question you are proposing. This can be accomplished by providing a definition, or a discussion of the significance of the topic of interest.
Provide a statement of the question you are examining. Make sure this is stated no later than the end of the second or third paragraph and the question is fully stated in one place. (hint: modify and use the beginning paragraph of the literature review here).
Now discuss what other studies have said about your research topic (lit review)
PART II-A: LITERATURE REVIEW/PREVIOU RESEARCH
The literature review is written to place your study within the context of existing knowledge and other studies within your research area. It gives recognition to other scholars and it also allows you to point out what is new about your research.
If your research question is adding to existing knowledge (i.e., your question has been answered by previous study), be sure to emphasize how you are adding to existing knowledge. For example, by doing a study with a different methodology, or a different study organism. This can be stated in the final paragraph of the literature review
Follow the literature review guidelines previously provided to you for complete information.
PART II-B: JUSTIFICATION, OBJECTIVES, HYPOTHESIS, AND PREDICTIONS (~ 2 paragraphs)
Justification:
Emphasize gaps in current knowledge. For example, what do we still need to know about the research area you want to study?
Why is knowing this important? Any or all of the following questions should suffice: What have other authors said about the need for this research area?
Is there a practical application for the information you are about to gather?
The information you provide in (2 above) justifies your objective(s).
Objective(s):
What is the specific purpose of your study? This should clearly fulfil the statement above.
Hypothesis:
Testable tentative answer to your question.
Provide a rationale for your hypothesis – explain the logic/evidence that led to your hypothesis
Predictions:
If your hypothesis is true what are your predicted results?
PART III: METHODOLOGY (see full details in methodology guidelines)
Provide a full description of your general research design, as well as the specific methods and procedures you plan to use in your research project.
Methodology should be sufficiently detailed so that it can be replicated. Provide diagrams, charts, or illustrations if you think they will enhance this section. This is optional, but encouraged. Diagrams, figures, or flow charts are often very useful at illustrating sampling design. Don’t include “research plan” and “datasheet” from your methodology assignment.
Write in future tense because this is proposed work.
It often helps to break this section into sub sections.
Details about study site(s) if doing observational studyName, location, why chosen
Lab protocols should describe any lab procedures, sample processing, etc.
Details about the biology of your study organisms (insects and plant(s)) and why chosen
What dependent variable(s) will be measured (with Units)
What Independent variable(s) will be measured (with Units)
What is a sampling unit and number of units to be measured
Sampling design (how will units be selected)
Sampling methodology including field protocols and lab assays: Describe how data will be collected, samples preserved, what equipment used, etc.
Data analysis: how will data be analyzed
PART IV: REFERENCES (refer to literature review guidelines for more info)
All references used should be both cited in text and listed in the references section in alphabetical order. Use the CSE style and formatting shown below.
DeLucia EH, Nabity PD, Zavala JA, Berenbaum MR. 2012. Climate change: resetting plant-insect interactions. Update on Climate Change 160:1677–1685
Formatting Guidelines:
12 pt Times New Roman Font, 1in margins
1.5 spacing between lines within a paragraph
Headings in bold, include a space after each heading
In text citations and references should be formatted in CSE style
All sections (except references) should be in clear paragraphs.
Use proper grammar, spelling and italicize scientific names.
Grading Rubric – Research Proposal
Points possible: 100 points
PART I:
Introductory remarks……………………………………..……………..……….…_____ / 15 pts.
Beginning statement general and appropriate to the research
Statement of the research question correct and complete
PART II:
Previous work addressed sufficiently……………………………………………………………………………____ / 20 pts.
At least 5 relevant references from appropriate literature reviewed in sufficient detail and presented in a well-organized manner
Justification complete ……………………………………………………………………………………____ / 5 pts.
Objective(s) statement……………………………………………………………………………………… / 5 pts.
States what author plans to accomplish
Hypotheses and rationale ……………………………………………………… / 10 pts.
Predictions ……………………………………………………………….………. / 5 pts.
PART III:
Methodology complete and clear and well organized…………………………….. …….. / 20 pts.
PART IV:
References:…………………………………………………………………………. ___/ 10 pts
References should be from primary sources. In text and end citations should be complete and formatted in CSE style.
Formatting:…………………………………………………………………………. / 10 pts
This includes following specific formatting guidelines as well as correct grammar, punctuation, spelling.
