Format for the Written Research Proposal 

 [Not the Format for Mid-term PowerPoint Presentation]

Headings and Sub-headings [those designated by a Bullet] for each section of the Proposal: 

• NOTE: All Text  in each section should be "double-spaced" and in 12 point font.

Page_1

 Cover Page 

• Title
• Principal Investigator: (Your Name, Position, Department, Institution, Address)
• A Research Proposal for Biological Communications (Biol 3920) 
• Date

Page_2

 Table of Contents 

•  List each Heading/Subheading with Page Number 

Page_3

 Executive or Project Summary (Double-spare)

Note: Executive Summaries and Abstracts are Similar... What is the Difference? Templates

 Address each of the following as Paragraphs (Do not "Bullet" the paragraphs)

• Stating the Problem;
• Giving Objective(s) / Null Hypothesis Test;
• How you plan to accomplish Goals, 
• Expected Benefits & Results

Page_3

 Key Words 

• Including Scientific Names, where appropriate
• Example

Page_4+

 Introduction  (Double-spare)

 Address each of the following (As Paragraphs without "Bullets") 

• Background  OR Literature Review ;  Discuss the Literature 

Note: Demonstrate your knowledge of the subject by Addressing the Literature, i.e. discussing the literature!

• Statement of Problem
• Objective/Null Hypothesis Statements [embedded in last paragraph of introduction]

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 Methods and Materials  (Double-spare)

 Address each of the following as Paragraphs (Do not "Bullet" the paragraphs)  

• Experimental Design / Scientific Method Matrix / Research Procedures [Cite Method Used] 
• Research / Experimental Subjects including Scientific Name(s) 
• Data Forms] 
• Facilities / Instrumentation / Equipment; State specifically where the research will actually be performed.  If space in the Biology Department is required, indicate the proposed nature of the space, the duration of its use, and any important equipment needs.
• Statistical Approach / Method of Analysis and Data Processing [Cite Method Used], and 
• Cite [give reference to] General Method(s) Used, i.e. Goss 1999

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 Expected Results and Benefits  (Double-spare)

• State how the Expected Results and Benefits will "Support/Refute" the null hypothesis, 
• Are your results expected to "Agree or Disagree" with results of literature sources you have identified?
• What Benefit do you expect to achieve from the result of this experiment?

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 Personnel and Capability Statement of Investigator(S)

• Including Faculty Research Advisor, and
• Resume (add after Midterm)

Page_+

Ethics Statement

Ethics (add after Midterm)

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Project Timeline  Using GANTT & PERT CHARTS  (Definition)

• Timeline Requirements
• Example of GANTT CHART (Create Your Own Help)  
• Example of PERT CHART (Definition 1, Create Your Own Help ); Student Example

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Disseminating Research Results

• Address how the Research Results will be Disseminated 
• For Example, You Could Construct a Table/Matrix Revealing the Various Ways the Research will be "Communicated"

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Literature Cited  (Double-spare)

• References used from Literature Search 
• Listing only those References Cited in the Text (in other sections of manuscript)

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Budget; Another Example, Try using MS Visia