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FINAL PROPOSAL
Research Proposal
¨ First step in research project ¨ Present research idea worth pursuing and describe
how it will be investigated ¤ Note:
n You WON’T actually do the study in this class n You WON’T even pretend you have done the study n You WILL propose a study that could be conducted n Aside from talking about past studies related to the
proposed project, you will write in future tense
Research Proposal
¨ First step in research project ¨ Present research idea worth pursuing and describe
how it will be investigated ¤ Previous research on this topic ¤ 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 study that will lead to interpretable findings of scientific merit
Research Proposal
¨ APA style (approximately 10-12 pages) ¤ Title Page ¤ Abstract ¤ Introduction ¤ Method ¤ Predicted Results/proposed analyses ¤ Discussion ¤ References
Parts of a Proposal
Title Page ¤ Manuscript Header with short title and page number ¤ Title that describes predicted relationship between
variables ¤ Author(s): you ¤ Affiliation
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
¤ Write this last
Parts of a Proposal
Introduction (page 3) ¨ Includes full title again on first line, centered ¨ Three primary objectives: revise Lab 1
¤ Introduce research question and why it’s important n Write objectively
n What is topic and why does it have societal, scientific merit? n NOT about how topic is important/interesting to you n Why should readers be interested in/care about this topic?
n Written in present tense because you’re establishing why this is an important/interesting research question today
Parts of a Proposal
Introduction (page 3) ¨ Includes full title again on first line, centered ¨ Three primary objectives: revise Lab 1
¤ Summarize relevant theory and background literature n What theories exist to explain the topic/research question? n What studies have investigated this topic?
n At least 5 peer-reviewed published studies related to research topic (you already found some for Lab 1)
n Written in past tense because you’re reviewing past work
Parts of a Proposal
Introduction (page 3) ¨ Includes full title again on first line, centered ¨ Three primary objectives: revise Lab 1
¤ Describe purpose, rationale, and design of present study n How does proposed study add to existing theory and body of
research? n How does proposed study fill in gaps in the literature? n What is new and different about the proposed study?
n What’s your hypothesis? n Prediction about relationship between variables must be justified
by what you’ve learned from the literature n Written in future tense because you’re describing what will happen
Parts of a Proposal
Method ¨ Describe in detail how study will be conducted
¤ How you will operationalize variables (how measured?)
¨ Three subsections ¤ Participants
n Describe population of interest and sampling procedure
¤ Materials (or Apparatus): Lab 2 n What equipment or measures will you use?
¤ Procedure n Walk reader through the study from start to finish
Parts of a Proposal
Results ¨ State hypothesis in terms of variables you plan to
manipulate/measure ¤ Type of data you plan to collect ¤ How you will summarize data ¤ Analysis most relevant for this type of data
Parts of a Proposal
Discussion ¨ Predicted outcome ¨ Integrate predicted outcome into existing theory
¤ How your results will expand or clarify previous work
¨ Limitations or problems in the research ¤ Specific ideas for additional research
¨ What would predicted outcome mean?
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
Your Proposal
¨ Demonstrate: ¤ You can develop a hypothesis
n Testable, falsifiable prediction about relationship between variables
¤ You are able to justify your prediction n Using existing theory and previous studies (at least 5)
¤ You are able to select the best design to test your hypothesis n Correlational, independent samples experiment, repeated measures
experiment, factorial design
¤ You are able to describe an analysis strategy ¤ You can discuss the implications and limitations of your design ¤ You understand and can write in APA style
Your Proposal
¨ Due by midnight on Wed., Dec. 12 ¤ Must be turned in through Isidore – no emailed or late
papers accepted n To be safe, get it in early
¤ TurnItIn plagiarism checker will be activated n You can see your TurnItIn report and upload revised paper
(if necessary) one time before due date
¤ Feedback: consult with me early n Don’t expect reply if you email day before paper is due