Proposals that work : a guide for planning dissertations and grant proposals / Lawrence F. Locke, Waneen Wyrick Spirduso, Stephen J. Silverman.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Locke, Lawrence F.

Contributor:

Spirduso, Waneen Wyrick.

Silverman, Stephen J.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Proposal writing in research--Handbooks, manuals, etc.

Proposal writing in research.

Dissertations, Academic--Handbooks, manuals, etc.

Dissertations, Academic.

Research grants.

Research grants--Handbooks, manuals, etc.

Fund raising--Handbooks, manuals, etc.

Fund raising.

Genre:

Handbooks and manuals.

Physical Description:

xvii, 354 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Edition:

Fifth edition.

Place of Publication:

Thousand Oaks : Sage Publications, [2007]

Summary:

Previous editions of this best seller have helped more than 100,000 students and professionals write effective research proposals for dissertations and grants. Covering all aspects of the proposal process, from the most basic questions about form and style to the complex task of seeking funding, the Fifth Edition of Proposals That Work has been completely updated and revised to offer clear advice supported by useful examples. New to the Fifth Edition: Discusses the effects of new technologies: Locke, Spirduso, and Silverman address the effects of new technologies on the proposal process and also include related URLs where appropriate. Improves utility, relevance, and ease of use: Based on feedback from readers, this edition contains examples and advice that better meet the needs of the book's readership. Contains valuable advice and information on funding: The authors provide essential information on identifying and obtaining student funding for theses and dissertations. They also include a full chapter for scholars and professionals on applying for research grant funding. Offers a new section devoted to alternative dissertation formats: This addition more closely links the proposal with the subsequent dissertation and, in turn, with the production and publication of research reports. Provides practical tips on Microsoft PowerPoint: The authors give advice on how this program can serve as a powerful element of one's proposal rather than an enticing distraction. Incorporates numerous updates throughout: These include greater coverage of focus group research, new coverage of mixed methods designs, two new sample proposals, and much more.

Contents:

About the Nature of This Book xi

About the Changes in This New Edition xii

Suggestions for Using the Book xiv

Part I Writing the Proposal

1 The Function of the Proposal 3

Function 3

Communication 3

Plan 4

Contract 4

Regulations Governing Proposals 4

General Format 7

Specific Tasks 7

Introducing the Study 8

Stating the Purpose 9

Providing a Rationale 10

Formulating Questions or Hypotheses 11

Delimitations and Limitations 16

Providing Definitions 17

Discussing the Background of the Problem 17

Explaining Procedures 19

Providing Supplementary Material 20

Completing the Tasks: The Proposal and the Report 22

2 Doing the Right Thing: "The Habit of Truth" 25

Ethics and the Research Process 27

The Protection of Human Subjects 28

An Ethical Benchmark 29

The Self-Interest of Respect 30

The Danger of Seeming Innocent 30

A Protocol for Informed Consent 31

The Reactive Effects of Honesty 32

Omission of Information 32

Cooperation by Coercion 33

Reciprocity 33

The Ethics of Writing 34

Plagiarism 34

Providing All the Facts 34

Manufacturing the Facts 35

Ethics in Publication 36

Personal and Professional Relationships 38

Relationships With Faculty Mentors 38

Discovery and Obligation 40

3 Developing the Thesis or Dissertation Proposal: Some Common Problems 41

Before the Proposal: First Things First 42

Making Your Decision: Do You Really Want to Do It? 42

Choosing Your Turf: Advisors and Areas 44

Finding Your Question: What Don't We Know That Matters? 44

The Sequence of Proposing: From Selecting a Topic to Forming a Committee 50

A Plan of Action: What Follows What? 50

Originality and Replication: What Is a Contribution to Knowledge? 58

Getting Started: Producing the First Draft 60

Selecting Your Thesis or Dissertation Committee 61

4 Content of the Proposal: Important Considerations 63

Reviewing the Literature: Finding It First 63

Reviewing the Literature: Writing the Right Stuff 68

Spadework: The Proper Use of Pilot Studies 73

Murphy's Law: Anticipating the Unexpected 79

Anticipating the Analysis: Do It Now 80

The Statistical Well: Drinking the Greatest Draught 82

On Finding a Friendly Computer 83

The Care and Nurture of Consultants 84

The Scientific State of Mind: Proof, Truth, and Rationalized Choices 87

5 Preparation of Proposals for Qualitative Research: Different Assumptions 91

The Only Constant Is Change 91

Disagreements and Diversity 93

A Brief Description of Qualitative Research 96

Preparing a Proposal for Qualitative Research 102

New Territory: Proposals for Focus Group Research 106

New Territory: Proposals for Mixed Method Research 108

Resources for Qualitative Research 110

The Decision to Go Qualitative 119

6 Style and Form in Writing the Proposal 125

Praising, Exhorting, and Polemicizing: Don't 125

Quotations: How to Pick Fruit From the Knowledge Tree 126

Clarity and Precision: Speaking in System Language 127

Editing: The Care and Nurture of a Document 130

In Search of a Title: First Impressions and the Route to Retrieval 131

Components Appropriate for Inclusion in the Title 132

Components Inappropriate for Inclusion in the Title 133

Mechanics of Titling 134

7 The Oral Presentation 135

Preparing Content 138

Preparing Materials 140

A Special Note About the Use of PowerPoint 145

Construction 146

Proper Use 146

The General Rules 147

Practice and Revision 147

Preparing the Environment 149

Oral Presentation 149

Managing Interaction 151

The Aftermath 152

Part II Money for Research 153

8 Money for Research: How to Ask for Help 155

Money Is Available to Support Research 157

Locating the Money Tree 159

General Strategies 159

Using Institutional Retrieval Systems 162

Finding Federal and State Dollars 163

Tapping Into Non-Governmental Sources 164

Considering Commercial Search Services 165

The Bottom Line 165

Business Possibilities 166

Resources Earmarked for Student Research 167

Working With the Money Source 170

Home Institutional Resources 170

Federal and State Agencies: Progressing Through the Maze 171

Partnerships With Business 176

Business and Corporate Foundations 177

The Grant Application-The Big Picture 177

The Application and the Proposal 178

The Cornerstone: The Research Question 180

Quality: The Proposed Research and the Research Proposal 180

The Investigator and the Environment 181

Dealing With Rejection 183

Planning and Preparation: Taking the Long View 186

Special Tips (and Encouragement) for Students 187

Why You Should Seek Funding 188

9 Preparation of the Grant Proposal 193

Using Planning Models and Flowcharts 193

The Application 196

The Budget 196

Staff and Consultant Needs 198

Supplies and Equipment 198

Travel Costs 200

Indirect Costs 200

Research Support 201

Biographical Sketch: Presenting Yourself 203

Letters of Endorsement and Confirmation 204

The Research Plan 205

Specific Aims and Hypotheses 209

Significance of the Proposed Research 210

Procedures and Methods 211

Research Design 211

Tests and Measurements 213

Procedures 213

Analyses 214

The Time Frame 214

Dissemination of Results 218

Part III Specimen Proposals 221

Proposal 1 Experimental Study-Strength Training in Older Women: Does Self-Efficacy Mediate Improvements in Physical Function? 223

Proposal 2 Qualitative Study-Teachers Who Make a Difference: Voices of Mexican American Students 253

Proposal 3 Online Electronic Survey Study-The Nutrition Care Process of Front-Line Pediatric HIV Providers 283

Proposal 4 Funded Grant-How Higher Education in Prison Affects Student-Inmates' Social Capital and Conceptions of Self 311

Appendix Annotated Bibliography of Supplementary References 323.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 341-348) and index.

ISBN:

9781412924221

1412924227

9781412924238

1412924235

OCLC:

71507015