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Guidelines for writing a
Research Proposal
Before beginning your project,
you will be required to turn in a written proposal. Although
the project should be decided upon and refined through
discussions with lab partners and the instructor, each
student is required write these proposals independently. The
proposals should be limited to 3
pagesand should contain
the sections outlined below. These subheadings should be
explicitly labeled. Four copies of your proposal are due the
week after Spring Break. These will be evaluated both on
writing style and scientific content (grade sheet). You will
also receive peer reviews on your written and oral
proposals.
1.
Informative title
As accurately as possible state what your study will be
about.
2.
Background and significance
This is similar to the Introduction of a research paper.
It should contain an overview of the scientific issues
involved. Funnel your readers from the general area of
research to the specific experiments that lead up to yours.
Consult your textbook; it may be hard to wade through at
times, but it's rare to find something left out. In
addition, you should consult several primary research
articles. Information for outside sources should be
specifically attributed in the text;
allfactual information
(except "common knowledge" facts) should be accompanied by a
citation. This section should include the
importanceof the study
you plan generally and specifically.
3.Specific
Aim
This is a concise statement of the major objectives of
the study. Briefly (1-2 sentences each) outline the
scientific context, purpose and objective of study. Include
a rationale for its importance (why are you doing
it?)This is the most
difficult part to write well. Start with a clear, definitive
statement of the hypothesis and how you will test it in one
sentence. "In the proposed research we will..."
4.
Rational
Elaborate on your objective. Why will this particular
experiment be informative? How in general
termswill you conduct the
experiment? What are the implications of the possible
outcomes?
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