4. Structure of a Biocore Research Proposal

A research proposal is a very important first step that helps you get familiar with your system and serves as a guide for your entire project. The proposal has many similar attributes as a lab paper (discussed the previous section) and shares all the same components; Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion. In this section, we point out how proposals differ from final lab papers and provide guidelines for what should be included in this type of paper. When writing about what you propose to do, use the future tense. No abstract is necessary for research proposals.

Introduction: Introductions should include a summary of background information, experimental question, biological rationale, hypothesis, and experimental approach. As you become more familiar with your system during your study, you will likely need to revise this section for your final paper to reflect the greater depth of your knowledge or unanticipated variables that become clear as the study progresses.

Methods: The methods section of proposals is usually quite detailed and may include diagrams or flow charts explaining your experimental design and protocols. Include a description of any pilot studies you plan to do.

Expected and Alternative Results: Since you have not done the experiment yet, you will not have any data. However, your hypothesis is a clear statement of what you expect and should provide the basis for this section. Provide a graph of the data you expect if your hypothesis is supported, showing actual numbers on labeled axes. Text accompanying this section should point out expected trends and describe pertinent attributes of trend lines. You should also present alternative results to those you expect—like opposite results or the “no difference” result. Thinking about alternative results at the proposal stage may help you troubleshoot problems, evaluate the efficacy of your control, or provide a background for your final results since, quite often, these are the ones you actually see at the end of your experiment.

Discussion: In your discussion, describe the relevance of the predicted trend as it relates to the background information and the rationale presented in your introduction. Explain the assumptions you are making, and the ramifications on your experiment. Discuss your alternative results and make sure you explain how your rationale may be incomplete based on unanticipated variables. Evaluate the confidence you have in your experimental design.