Moving Forward with Your Research Proposal

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Moving Forward with Your Research Proposal

• January 23, 2006

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Todays Schedule

• 300 - 340PM Summary and discussion of Lowenthal
  paper (led by Dr. Wright)
• 340 - 415PM Developing a hypothesis and
  Elements of the proposal (by Dr. Nolin)
• 415 - 445PM Students write their research
  hypothesis and brief explanation
• 445 - 520PM Students break into groups and
  critique each others' work

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Discussion of Lowenthal paper
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Outline

• Developing a testable and tractable hypothesis
• Elements of a proposal
• Developing a detailed proposal outline
• Scientific writing style

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What is a good idea?

• Innovative, major advances in the field
• exciting new method
• new way of looking at old problem
• novel application of existing methods in a new
  field or region
• Certain, feasible, incremental additions to
  existing base of knowledge
• Combining research efforts usually kept separate

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What makes a good idea a good research topic?

• Scientifically interesting to geographers
• Important to non-scientists
• Feasible (in terms of available resources)
• Have clear objectives
• Specific
• Measurable
• At least one objective should involve obtaining
  an answer to a scientific question or falsifying
  a hypothesis
• Should have the enthusiastic support of your
  research advisor

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Clear objectives
Personal factors in place
Interesting - scientifically and to you
Well-planned
Important - needs to matter to others
Feasible
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What is a hypothesis?

• A hypothesis is a provisional concept that, after
  careful evaluation is either accepted or rejected
• It should be falsifiable based on observations
• If it is confirmed by observations, that does not
  mean that it has been proven

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Conjecture vs. Hypothesis

• Conjecture is a statement that cannot be proved
  or disproved
• A conjecture is frequently misconstrued as a
  hypothesis
• Example of a conjecture
• God is male

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The Research Proposal

• Should try to answer the following basic
  questions
• What (research problem are you proposing to
  answer)?
• Why (are these research problems significant)?
• How (do you propose to answer these problems)?

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Elements of a Proposal

• Title
• Abstract
• Purpose/Significance and Research Objectives
• Relevant Background Information
• Methods
• Timetable
• Budget (where appropriate)
• References
• Figures and Tables

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Title

• Should be as short as possible but convey a sense
  of what the proposal involves
• Use an action title
• Make first word significant if possible
• Strong, precise words

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Abstract

• Concise summary of the proposal in less than 250
  words (1 page)

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Purpose/Significance and Research Objectives

• Spell out the geographic problem you are
  addressing
• State the objectives (list form)
• Describe the significance of the proposed
  research
• Be specific

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Relevant Background Information

• Provide specific data and theories from previous
  studies that are relevant to understanding your
  research problem
• What were their strengths and limitations?
• Convey the pertinent geographic information with
  appropriate and thorough literature references
• Relate to your objectives

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Methods

• State and describe specific methods
• Provide sufficient detail that the reader can
  understand the method
• Avoid jargon!
• If equipment and facilities are not readily
  available in the Dept. of Geosciences, state your
  plans to obtain access elsewhere

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Timetable

• Provide a tentative schedule in tabular form
• Completion of classes
• Field studies
• Laboratory work
• Preparation of thesis (plan for at least one
  term!)

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Budget

• If funding for expenses is needed then a budget
  should be included
• Field work
• Laboratory analyses
• Special software, etc.
• Prepare itemized list
• Outline your plans for funding

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References

• List all the references cited in text by
  alphabetical order of first author
• Follow the format of a major geography journal

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Figures and Tables

• Examples map of study area, table of instrument
  characteristics.
• They must be legible and of excellent quality
• Should be original if at all possible
• Figure captions appear below the figure
• Table captions appear above the figure

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Writing your Proposal Outline

• Use section headings that convey information
• Provide sufficient detail
• You should have at least ten headings in your
  outline

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Interrelation of landscape and climate controls
on streamflow in the Oregon Cascades

• Streamflow patterns in the Oregon Cascades
• Two types of landscape controls
• Geology
• Vegetation
• Snow vs. Rain and their contributions to
  streamflow
• Climate warming will reduce low flows and
  increase peak flows in the Cascades
• Shift from snow- to rain-dominated precipitation
• Increase in fire frequency will change land cover
• Basalt permeability will mitigate effects in the
  high Cascades
• A new coupled climate-hydrology-ecosystem model
• Noble gas measurements establish temperature and
  elevation of groundwater recharge zone

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Scientific Writing Tips

• Think of your audience -- who are they and what
  do they want to know?
• Language
• Mechanics -- grammar, spelling
• Precise
• Clear
• Familiar
• Style should be interesting and forthright
• Structure
• Clear outline
• Linear
• Common threads
• Concise

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The Writing Center

• Writing assistants are available to help with
  brainstorming, organization, grammar and usage,
  and all aspects of writing
• Online writing lab for assessment of writing
  problems (24-48 hour turnaround)
• Waldo 123
• http//cwl.oregonstate.edu/
• 737-5640

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Academic Success Center

• They will help you with
• Goal setting
• Study skills
• Listening habits
• Time management
• Wellness
• 101 Waldo Hall
• http//success.oregonstate.edu/
• 737-2272