Writing a Research Proposal
What is a research proposal?
A written document that organizes and describes a planned process of research to address the
research problem or answer a research question
What are the two criteria for a research proposal?
Must identify a gap of knowledge about a given topic Must be of high importance or impact
What are research proposal's often used for?
to secure funding
why do OT managers write research proposals?
To bring new practice knowledge or equipment into treatment settings
why do OT in industry or government write research proposals?
To compete internally within the organization for example, to introduce or test a new assistive
technology or devise under development
why do OT in non-profit or community based organization write research proposals?
To fund program evaluation/ development
why do OT faculty write research proposals
To compete for grant funding
What elements of a research proposal make up the introduction and review of related literature
sections?
1. statement of the research problem and questions
2. statement of the research aim and hypothesis
3. background and significance
What elements of a research proposal make up the method section?
4. Methodological approach
5. Data analysis approach
What elements of a research proposal make up the section that is not required for the final paper?
6. timeline
7. key personnel
8. budget
Research problem
A statement that characterizes the topic of study
Research questions
A concise question that reflects the knowledge sought in the study
Specific aims
Clear and succinct statement of the purpose of the study/ what it intends to accomplish
Hypotheses
Statement of the expected outcomes of the study
Only seen in quantitative research proposals (but not all quantitative studies need to have
hypotheses)
Background and significance
