How
to Write a Student Project Research Proposal
The
title should be concise and informative. Avoid phrases such as, “The study of”
or “An investigation of”. Instead summarize the key question or hypothesis of
the research, for example, “The effect of water stress on root respiration in
wheat”.
A
research question is typically developed through a complex process of
information gathering and processing and includes: listening to lectures; personal
conferences with the instructor; reading the textbook, lab handouts and other
literature sources; and most importantly, observing natural biological
relationships in the field or in controlled environments. The research question
must be biologically relevant and if tested experimentally, provide the hope of
adding to our current understanding of natural phenomena. The introduction
should summarize background information in way that makes it clear how the
research question was developed. Remember, that when writing the final report
on the project, you will need to compare your data with the work of other
scientists. This comparison is vital in establishing the context of your work
in light of general knowledge in the field. It is, thus, essential that
experiments done by other researchers that are relevant to your ideas are clearly described. Make sure you include a citation at that point in
the text where you mention their work. Finally, avoid using textbooks or
lectures as sole sources for experimental data; instead give credit to the
scientists that actually did the work.
The
hypothesis (hypotheses) must be stated in such a way that it is experimentally
testable.
This means that each hypothesis can be accepted or rejected on the basis of an
analysis of the data obtained from your experiments. Experimental outcomes are
determined based upon some statistical test: either testing differences between
groups (e.g.,
the t
test) or finding significant correlations between variables (e.g., regression
analysis).
This
section very clearly describes the design of experiments to test the stated
hypotheses. Control and experimental groups must be identified as well as (when
appropriate) dependent and independent variables. Sub-headings include:
Living material
and study sites
Procedures (e.g., pigment
analyses, growth measurements, gas exchange measurements, etc.)
Data analysis
(statistical test used, regression analysis method)
References
should be listed in a manner consistent with a respected journal of your choice,
typically in alphabetic order by the lead author’s last name. It
is also inappropriate to include any reference that is not cited in the body of
the text or that you have not read (at least in part).