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Research Methods – Mod 10 – Research Proposal / APA

Resources

The Breakdown

Important

  • Research Proposal Title – A title is very important to identify your research topic clearly.
  • Abstract Placement – The abstract must be on a separate page following the title page.
  • Abstract Content – The abstract should provide background, objectives, methods, and potential outcomes, and must be written in maximum 250 words.
  • Keywords in Abstract – Keywords must be in italic in APA format, placed on a separate line, and should be a maximum of five, separated by commas.
  • Abstract Writing Time – It is important to write the abstract after the introduction and method sections are completed.
  • Connecting Paragraphs in Introduction – It is very important to connect paragraphs in the introduction, for example, by linking the main outcome variable of one paragraph to the start of the next.
  • Defining the Research Gap and Objectives – For the review committee, it is very key to explain what is lacking in previous research, why your study is being conducted, its objectives, research questions, hypotheses, and the significance of its expected outcomes.
  • Clarity and Detail in Proposal Writing – When writing a proposal, it is very important to provide information as clearly and comprehensively as possible, while also considering any restrictions or limitations imposed by the agency or university.
  • Methods Section Placement – The methods section must be continued right after the introduction, rather than starting on a new page.
  • Ethical Approval Documentation – It is very important to mention where ethical approval will be obtained, such as from the University of Ottawa or Carleton University.
  • Informed Consent – Obtaining an informed consent form from all participants is very important, detailing the objectives, procedures, and potential risks of the study.
  • Citations in Introduction – It is very important to have citations all over the place in the introduction, especially for definitions, literature, and when linking variables.
  • Citing Sample Size Justification – If your sample size is determined based on previous studies, you have to provide a reference for that information.
  • Citing Measures – For any well-established self-reports or questionnaires used, you have to provide a reference.
  • Reference List Formatting – In the reference list, it is crucial to use hanging indentations for each entry to follow APA format correctly.

Core concepts

  • Research Proposal: A research proposal is a detailed document that outlines a planned research project, serving as a blueprint. It explains the project’s purpose, significance, methodology, and anticipated outcomes.
  • Purposes of a Research Proposal: Research proposals are typically required for funding or grant applications, ethics applications, and for academic requirements like a thesis or dissertation.
  • Key Proposal Components: A research proposal should include a Title, Abstract (with keywords), Introduction, Methods, Outcomes/Significance of the research, Timeline, Budget, and References.
  • Title: This section identifies the specific topic of the research, for instance, “Individual Differences in Autistic Traits and Basic Numerical Processing”.
  • Abstract: A concise summary of the research (up to 250 words) that covers the background, objectives, general method, and expected outcomes. It also includes a list of up to five italicised keywords.
  • Introduction: This section begins by addressing the issue or problem, defines key concepts, reviews existing literature relevant to the topic, and articulates the study’s specific objectives, hypotheses, or research questions. It also highlights the significance and importance of the anticipated outcomes.
  • Methods: This part describes the research design (e.g., correlational, experimental), identifies the participants (population, sample size, sampling method, recruitment, and inclusion/exclusion criteria). It details the measures or tools used, providing their operational definitions, items, and scoring methods. Furthermore, it outlines the statistical analysis procedures and addresses ethical considerations, such as obtaining informed consent and ensuring data confidentiality.
  • Outcomes/Significance: This section highlights the key findings or expected results of the research. It discusses how the work will advance the academic discipline, contribute to existing theories, methods, or practices, and mentions any novel approaches or practical implications (e.g., for clinical treatments or policymaking).
  • Timeline: A schedule that details the expected duration and order of various research activities, such as submitting ethics applications, conducting literature reviews, preparing surveys, collecting and analysing data, and writing the final paper or thesis.
  • Budget: A financial plan typically prepared for grant applications, detailing estimated costs for equipment, facilities, participant compensation, supplies, personnel (e.g., graduate research assistants, PhD students, postdoctoral fellows), publication fees, conference/travel expenses, and the principal investigator’s salary.
  • References: A comprehensive list of all sources cited within the proposal, presented according to a specific format (e.g., APA). In-text citations using an author-date format (e.g., Jones, 1998) are used throughout the document, with direct quotations requiring specific page numbers.
  • General APA Formatting: An APA-style paper generally requires double-spacing, 1-inch margins on all sides, page numbers flush right in the header, and commonly uses Times New Roman 12-point font. The paper should be organised into four major sections: a title page, an abstract, the main body, and references. The title page should be centred and include the paper’s title, the author’s name, institutional affiliation, course information, professor’s name, and the assignment due date.