Cardiovascular Health Risk Factors Research Proposal

Workshop: Preparing a Research Proposal
Objectives
• Discover how to develop a research topic and explore available resources
•
Practice critical reading and identify the strengths and limitations of a proposal
•
Choose and research a topic that will form the basis of your final project
•
Reflect on ethical considerations involved in conducting research on living organisms
•
Discuss strategies for writing a proposal attractive to reviewers and funding agencies
PRE-LAB ASSIGNMENT: CRITIQUE A FUNDED PROPOSAL (5 PTS)
A research proposal is a request for approval and funding to conduct a specific research project.
Proposals are evaluated based on the robustness of the experimental design and by weighing
its financial and material costs against the potential for gains in understanding and the tangible
impacts of its application. Read the sample proposal provided, which was awarded funding.
Write a brief critique of the proposal. Construct arguments in support of its strengths and identify
component(s) that could be improved. Be prepared to discuss the proposal in lab.
CHOOSE A PROPOSAL TOPIC (DUE MONDAY 5/9)
Your final project this quarter will be to write a research proposal about a question of interest
related to course content. Possible topics include but are not limited to seed germination,
sustainable agriculture, pollination systems, development of medicines from biological products,
ocean acidification, pest eradication, sexual dimorphism, the effects of environmental pollutants
on animal development or physiology, and factors affecting cardiovascular health.
ETHICAL CONDUCT OF RESEARCH
Visit the IBC website to learn about the DePaul Institutional Biosafety Committee.
https://offices.depaul.edu/research-services/research-protections/ibc/Pages/about.aspx
Review each section on the Terms and Definitions page. Reflect on the following questions and
prepare to discuss your responses in lab.
What is a biohazardous agent? Have you encountered any of these materials in lab? Consider
what precautions may have been taken to keep students and instructors safe.
What is the role of the IBC at DePaul? To what regulatory agency do they look to for guidance?
Explore the Resources and Education section to learn more and to research policies relevant to
your proposal.
Visit the IACUC site to learn about the DePaul Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee.
https://offices.depaul.edu/research-services/research-protections/iacuc/Pages/about.aspx
Read the IACUC Standard Operating Procedures document. Reflect on the following questions
and prepare to discuss your responses in lab.
What is the role of the IACUC at DePaul? What regulatory agencies guide their operation?
What experimental subjects are regulated by IACUC policies? Have you encountered any of
these subjects in lab?
Explore the Resources and Education section to learn more and to research policies relevant to
your proposal.
CONDUCT A LITERATURE SEARCH
Scientists must develop fluency at effectively exploring published research articles. Review the
instructions below to conduct a literature search using the DePaul Library website.
1. Go to http://library.depaul.edu/
2. Click on A-Z Databases.
3. From the All Subjects drop down menu, select Biology.
4. From the All Resource Types menu, select Articles.
5. Choose a database e.g. Science Direct and click on the link to visit that search site.
6. Enter your query term(s) in the Search field and click Search.
Review the Library Research Guide for additional suggestions and support.
https://libguides.depaul.edu/research101
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: EVALUATE A REVIEW ARTICLE (10 PTS)
Find a review article, similar in length and format to the example on D2L, which summarizes the
current understanding regarding your chosen topic. Read it carefully, then prepare a written
critique including responses to the following prompts. Upload a copy of the full article along with
your critique and summary.
Paragraph I: Critique
Currency: When was the article published? Is the information timely?
Authority: Is the author qualified to write about this topic? Are professional affiliations listed?
Accuracy: Is there evidence to support the content? Is a bibliography included?
Purpose: Who is the intended audience? Is the article written to inform or persuade the reader?
Relevance: Does the article provide useful information at an appropriate level for your proposal?
Scholarship: Is the article peer-reviewed? Does the author affiliation support its validity?
Paragraph II: Summary
Summarize the main points presented in the review using language that every student in your
lab would understand. Identify a related question that remains to be answered as the basis for
your future proposal. Construct an argument to convince the reader why this question is
important. Include a complete citation of the review.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL GRADING RUBRIC (35 PTS)
1. Background Information (1 paragraph)
• Effectively summarizes current understanding of topic (2)
2
Clear understanding and complete description of background
1
Limited understanding or incomplete description of background
____ / 4 pts
____
•
Appeals to a broad audience and engages reader interest (1)
1
Engaging argument accessible to a broad range of readers
0.5
Unconvincing argument or inaccessible to most readers
____
•
Provides adequate foundation for the proposed study (1)
1
Adequate and logical basis for proposed investigation
0.5
Inadequate or illogical foundation for proposed investigation
____
2. Question and Hypotheses (1 paragraph)
• Identifies an outstanding question of interest to be addressed (1)
1
Clear and concise statement of experimental question
0.5
Question is suggested but is not obvious or well-phrased
____ / 5 pts
____
•
Effectively argues for why this question is interesting and important (1)
____
1
Makes a clear and effective argument for interest and importance
0.5
Argument is ineffective or fails to address interest or importance
•
Identifies variable of interest and its observed pattern of variation (1)
1
Clearly identifies variable and the type of variation it can exhibit
0.5
Fails to clearly identify variable or its pattern of variation
•
Identifies factor(s) that might underlie the mechanism for this variation (1) ____
1
Clearly identifies at least one logical causal factor for variation
0.5
Causal factor proposed is unclear or illogical
•
Explicitly states the purpose and value of the proposed study (1)
1
Explicit statement of the added value this study can offer
0.5
Purpose and value suggested but not explicitly stated
3. Experimental Design (1-2 paragraphs)
• Identifies independent and dependent variables (1)
1
Both variables clearly and correctly identified
0.5
Fails to identify one variable or identifies incorrect variable
____
____
____ / 15 pts
____
•
Defines experimental groups and comments on replication (1)
1
Identifies treatment groups and reasonable replicate number
0.5
Treatment groups unclear or replicate number is too small
____
•
Discusses variables to be standardized to minimize variation (2)
2
Identifies and explains complete list of variables to standardize
1
List of variables is not comprehensive or is not well-explained
____
•
Identify limitations of proposed methods and how to address them (2)
____
2
Identifies obvious limitations and attempts to address each
1
Fails to identify logical limitations or propose attempts to address
•
Outlines all methods and materials required for the study (3)
3
Concisely and completely outlines all materials and methods
2
Attempts to outline methods but a few key components missing
1
Attempts to outline methods but many key components missing
•
Clearly explains procedure for collection of quantitative data (3)
____
3
Concise and complete explanation of data collection procedure
2
Incomplete description or includes only qualitative observations
1
Incomplete description and includes only qualitative observations
•
Includes a realistic timetable for completion of the study (2)
2
Proposes a complete and realistic timetable
1
Proposes a timetable that is incomplete or unrealistic
____
•
Suggests statistical methods that will be used to analyze data (1)
1
Proposes appropriate statistical test given the nature of the data
0.5
Mentions analysis but test is not appropriate for data collected
____
4. Prediction and Rationale (1 paragraph)
• Proposes logical expected results based on current understanding (1)
0.5
Statement expectations is not clearly stated or illogical
____
____ / 6 pts
____
•
Comments on how the study will expand on existing knowledge (2)
2
Brief statement of additional knowledge study will contribute
1
Attempts to comment but statement is unclear or is not novel
•
Comments on implications of the research for the field and society (2)
____
2
Addresses implications for both the field and broader society
1
Fails to address implications for either the field or broader society
•
Supports prediction based on previously published content (1)
____
1
Offers relevant published evidence to adequately support prediction
0.5
Evidence provided is irrelevant or inadequate to support prediction
5. Format and Citation
• Concisely written, correct spelling and grammar, logical flow (1)
• Written in language appropriate for an audience of peers (1)
1
Uses appropriate language and defines relevant terminology
0.5
Overly technical language or fails to define relevant terminology
•
•
____
____ / 5 pt
____
____
Identifies which ethical boards will be required to review proposal (1)
____
Includes complete citation of all references in professional format (2)
____
2
Complete and accurate citations given for peer-reviewed sources
1
Citations are given but are incomplete, inaccurate, or inappropriate

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