Research Proposal

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FINAL PROPOSAL

Research Proposal

¨ First step in research project

¨ Proposals present a research idea worth pursuing ¤ Previous research literature

¤ A new hypothesis or prediction based on theory and existing knowledge

¤ A method for investigating or testing the prediction ¤ How the data will be analyzed ¤ Interpretation of expected results

¨ Goal ¤ Ensure a reasonable experiment that will lead to

interpretable findings of scientific merit

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Research Proposal

¨ APA style (approximately 8-10 pages) ¤ Title Page ¤ Abstract ¤ Introduction ¤ Method ¤ Predicted Results/proposed analyses ¤ Discussion ¤ References

Parts of a Proposal

Title Page ¤ Manuscript Header ¤ Title ¤ Authors & Affiliation

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Parts of a Proposal

Abstract ¤ Page 2 ¤ Summary of manuscript ¤ (150-300 words)

n What is being investigated n Participants involved n The procedure (what was

done) n Findings n Conclusions

Parts of a Proposal

Introduction (Lab 1) ¤ Begins Page 3 ¤ Has title again ¤ Three primary objectives

¤ Introduce research question and why it’s important

¤ Summarize relevant background literature and theoretical implications ( ¤ at least 5 peer-reviewed

sources) ¤ Written in past tense

¤ Describe purpose, rationale, and design of present study with logical development of hypotheses

STATE YOUR HYPOTHESIS

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Parts of a Proposal

Method ¤ Describe in detail how study

WILL BE conducted n Written in future tense

¤ Based on Method, reader should know exactly how you’re testing hypothesis

¤ Three most common subsections: n Participants n Materials (or Apparatus)

n Procedure

Parts of a Proposal

Results ¤ State hypothesis in terms of

variables you plan to manipulate and measure n Future tense

¤ Type of data you plan to collect ¤ How you will summarize data

¤ Analysis most relevant for this type of data

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Parts of a Proposal

Discussion ¤ Predicted outcome

¤ What would predicted outcome mean?

¤ Integrate predicted outcome into existing theory n How your results will expand or

clarify previous work

¤ Limitations or problems in the research n Specific ideas for additional

research

Parts of a Proposal

References ¤ Include complete citation for

each source cited n Failure to cite an idea published

elsewhere is plagiarism n Alphabetical order list all

references

¤ Secondary sources- do not use unless absolutely necessary!

¤ Follow APA Format precisely

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Parts of a Proposal

¨ Optional things to include (not necessary) ¤ Author note

n Any funding, �thank you� to people, contact info

¤ Footnote n Indicated by a superscript1- additional analysis or comment

¤ Tables & Figures n describe demographic info or any type of illustration

¤ Appendices n rare, but could be a coding scale or measure created for study

Your Proposal

¨ Demonstrate: ¤ You can develop a hypothesis (testable and falsifiable) ¤ You are able to justify your prediction (with past research)

¤ You are able to select the best design to test your hypothesis ¤ You are able to describe an analysis strategy to examine

your data

¤ You can discuss the implications and limitations of your design

¤ You understand and can write in APA style