Moving Forward with Your
Research Proposal
January 23, 2006
Today’s Schedule
• 3:00 - 3:40PM Summary and discussion of
Lowenthal paper (led by Dr. Wright)
• 3:40 - 4:15PM Developing a hypothesis and
Elements of the proposal (by Dr. Nolin)
• 4:15 - 4:45PM Students write their research
hypothesis and brief explanation
• 4:45 - 5:20PM Students break into groups
and critique each others' work
Discussion of Lowenthal paper…
Outline
• Developing a testable and tractable
hypothesis
• Elements of a proposal
• Developing a detailed proposal outline
• Scientific writing style
What is a good idea?
1. 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
2. Certain, feasible, incremental additions to
existing base of knowledge
3. Combining research efforts usually kept
separate
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
Clear
objectives
Interesting scientifically
and to you
Personal
factors in
place
Wellplanned
Feasible
Important needs to
matter to
others
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
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”
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)?
Elements of a Proposal
• Title
• Abstract
• Purpose/Significance and Research
Objectives
• Relevant Background Information
• Methods
• Timetable
• Budget (where appropriate)
• References
• Figures and Tables
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
Abstract
• Concise summary of the proposal in
less than 250 words (1 page)
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
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
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
Timetable
• Provide a tentative schedule in tabular
form
– Completion of classes
– Field studies
– Laboratory work
– Preparation of thesis (plan for at least one
term!)
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
References
• List all the references cited in text by
alphabetical order of first author
• Follow the format of a major geography
journal
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
Writing your Proposal Outline
• Use section headings that convey
information
• Provide sufficient detail
• You should have at least ten headings
in your outline
Interrelation of landscape and climate controls
on streamflow in the Oregon Cascades
1. Streamflow patterns in the Oregon Cascades
2. Two types of landscape controls:
a) Geology
b) Vegetation
3. Snow vs. Rain and their contributions to streamflow
4. Climate warming will reduce low flows and increase
peak flows in the Cascades
a) Shift from snow- to rain-dominated precipitation
b) Increase in fire frequency will change land cover
c) Basalt permeability will mitigate effects in the high
Cascades
5. A new coupled climate-hydrology-ecosystem model
6. Noble gas measurements establish temperature
and elevation of groundwater recharge zone
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
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
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