Preparing Research Proposals and Grant Applications

1. Preparing Research Proposals and Grant Applications

2. Research Proposal/Grant Application Research Proposal For graduate students writing a thesis, the research proposal is presented to your committee for their approval before you conduct the research Grant Application For others, the research proposal is typically presented to a funding agency, school board or extension administration for approval/funding

3. Research Proposals and Research Reports Research Proposal/Grant Application A plan of action and justification for research that you plan to do A research proposal/grant application is future tense, Length Typically 12-25 pages for graduate student research proposals Grant Application Private Foundation > 2-10 pages Government > 20-50 pages Research Report A report of research that you have already conducted a research report is past tense Length (in general) Thesis - 50-90 pages Dissertation - 75-200 pages Journal Article or Research Paper Presented at a conference � 12-20 pages

4. Thesis/Dissertation Chapters In Agricultural & Extension Education theses/dissertations there are typically 5 chapters: Introduction Review of Literature Methodology Findings Conclusions & Recommendations

5. What should be in a research proposal/report? A research proposal A synopsis of what will be written in chapters 1, 2 and 3 Introduction Review of Literature Methodology A research report For theses and dissertations � all five chapters For journal articles and papers � a synopsis of all five chapters

6. Introduction Section or Chapter 1 The introductory section introduces the problem to be studied and could range from 3 or so paragraphs to several pages This is often followed by a section titled �Need for the Study�. This is 1- 3 paragraphs in length. Here you make the case for studying the problem you have selected.

7. Introduction Section Statement of the Problem is next. This is one or two sentences clearly stating what it is being study. If often starts with �The purpose��

8. Introduction Section Research questions and/or hypothesis follow. Descriptive research often uses just research questions. It is permissible to have a hypothesis. In experimental, quasi-experimental, correlational or ex post facto research a hypothesis is generally expected. You can also have research questions if desired.

9. Research Question(s) Sample Research Questions Does the use of electronic responders to provide immediate feedback to graduate students in AEE classes increase student learning? Does the use of electronic responders to provide immediate feedback to graduate students in AEE classes improve student evaluations of classes?

10. Research Question(s) One may have several research question For data analysis avoid research questions with an �and� Does the use of electronic responders to provide immediate feedback to graduate students in AEE classes increase student learning and improve student evaluations of classes?

11. The Hypothesis In proposing or reporting research, directional hypotheses are normally stated: Directional Students will have higher grades in AEE classes in which electronic responders are used than in AEE classes where they are not used.

12. The Hypothesis It is possible to have a nondirectional hypothesis. This is stated the same as a null hypothesis. When one performs a statistical test, they are actually testing the Null hypothesis

13. Introduction continued� The introductory section often contains: Assumptions � These are assumptions you have about the research being proposed you think people will answer honestly, they have knowledge of the subject, they are representative, etc.

14. Introduction continued� The introductory section generally contains: Limitations � Things that happened during the study they may impact on your findings or the generalizability of the research Hurricane Fran caused extension agents in the east to change there normal work patterns. The swine flu resulted in a higher number than normal absentees in the classes.

15. Introduction continued� The introductory section generally contains: Definitions � Define the terms in your research that the average person might not know or if you have a special definition for the term Classroom discipline problem Lesson Plan

16. Section 2 � Review of Literature By the time you finish your research, you should know more about the topic than anyone else, including members of your committee. You accomplish this by a thorough review of existing research regarding the problem.

17. Literature Review In a thesis or dissertation, this section may be 10-50 pages. In a journal article it may only be 2-3 pages at the most. You have to prove you know the research but can�t go overboard because of page limitations on manuscripts. In a grant proposal you might have 2-5 references to other work to show that you are aware of its existence

18. Literature Review It is generally best to start globally and then narrow it down to the specific research question you have. Next week�s class focuses on how to conduct a literature review.

19. Literature Review You want to synthesize and merge what others had done, not just string a bunch of quotes together!!!! Moving around the classroom helps to maintain student interest (Banks, 2001; Carpenter, 1996; James, 1998) Banks (2001) says it is important to move around in the classroom. Carpenter (1996) believes movement in the classroom helps students to focus on the teacher. James (1998) says teachers should change their position every 3-4 minutes in order to keep student attention.

20. Section 3- Methods Describe the research methodology (correlational, descriptive, etc.) you are used (or plan to use) and why. Describe the population you are studying. If a sample is used, tell how big the sample is, why that sample size was chosen, and how the sample was selected (I.e stratified random sample, cluster sample, etc.)

21. Section 3 - Methods If the research is experimental, describe the research design and what was done to control extraneous variables. If the research is historical discuss sources of data.

22. Section 3- Methods Describe the research instrument used. How many sections and items or on it and how do people respond. What is the rating scale? What is a high score? What is a low score? How was it developed. Was it field tested? How do you know it is valid. How do you know it is reliable.

23. Section 3- Methods Describe how the data were collected (Personal interview, Mail survey, etc.) When and where were the data collected What was done about non-respondents? How were the data coded.

24. Section 3- Methods Describe the statistical process used in analyzing the data. Why did you use the statistics you did.

25. Section 4- Findings Report the data you have collected. Follow the same sequence in presenting the data so that is corresponds with your research questions or hypotheses. Data should be reported both in writing and in graphic form (tables, graphs, etc.) The tables should support the narrative and vice-versa. However, the text should be able to stand alone. Report any statistical tests. Just report the facts, don�t make any interpretations at this point in time.

26. Section 5- Conclusions & Recommendations Based upon the findings section, what can be concluded? This is very challenging to do. Some folks end up restating the findings, which is not what should be done. A finding is that students using electronic responders scored 5 points higher than students not using responders. The conclusion is that the use of responders results in gain in student knowledge. What are the implications of this research for practice? Teachers should use electronic responders. What recommendations do have for further research? Would electronic responders work with adults?

27. Funding Sources for Research and Projects

28. Private Foundations

29. Private Foundations Rich folks & companies create foundations to have a formal way of giving away money. There are 61,000 foundations Some foundations are having problems giving out money.

30. Private Foundations By law, foundations must give away 5% of their assets every year. Some large foundations have to give out $8,000,000 a day to meet this requirement.

31. Private Foundations There is a book found in most public and university libraries called �The Foundation Directory� (it cost $400) It lists foundations by state and also has a subject index

32. The Foundation Directory The Foundation Directory is now on-line. Go to http://www.fdncenter.org/ You can search by foundation name, recipient name, subject/topic, geographic area plus several other fields There is a charge to use this service; at one time NCSU subscribed but budget cuts have impacted this

33. Private Foundations The Foundation Center is a web site that has all types of information on getting grants. http://www.foundationcenter.org/

34. Private Foundations In North Carolina there are 218 Foundations. Most limit their grants to North Carolina (generally to specific counties). Education is often a �favorite cause.� Foundations housed in other states also give grants in North Carolina

35. Top 10 Foundations in North Carolina

36. Some NC Foundations D. F. Halton Foundation (Charlotte) $430,625 was given last year Youth, education, social services and performing arts are supported (vocational education is specifically mentioned) Limited to Charlotte area and surrounding 7 counties Funds come from Pepsi-Cola

37. Some NC Foundations Lowe�s Charitable and Educational Foundation (N. Wilkesboro) Last year135 grants totaling $988,128 were given Support education, community development, etc.

38. 15 June 2012 Hints on Writing a Proposal for Private Foundations 1. Don�t hesitate to call the contact person with questions. That persons job is to give money away, not guard it. He/she wants to help you submit a successful proposal.

39. 39 Hints on Writing a Proposal 2. Use simple language in the proposal Write the proposal so that your mother could understand it

40. 15 June 2012 40 Simple language Don�t try to impress people with your extensive vocabulary Before using an acronym first spell it out and explain it (SAE, IEP, LEA, FFA) Avoid educational jargon

41. 15 June 2012 41 Hints on Writing a Proposal 3. Address all the points in the guidelines Follow the format (and wording) in the proposal

42. 15 June 2012 42 Hints on Writing a Proposal 4. Neatness counts (so does spelling, grammar, sentence structure, etc.)

43. 15 June 2012 43 Hints on Writing a Proposal 5. Proposals showing partnerships are viewed very favorably. Team up with: another department in the school another school an institution of higher education a private group a commodity group

44. 15 June 2012 44 Hints on Writing a Proposal 6. Think of a different angle Try to be creative in your thinking.

45. 15 June 2012 45 Hints on Writing a Proposal 7. A proposal that is not submitted will not be funded! The worst thing that can happen is they say no. Then send your proposal some other place.

46. 15 June 2012 46 Hints on Writing a Proposal 8. The title of your proposal should be catchy, but not cutesy! LEAP GRAEDE OpenCourseWare

47. 15 June 2012 47 Hints on Writing a Proposal 9. Use action words Use Will---not if, could, should Use investment, not gift

48. 15 June 2012 48 Hints on Writing a Proposal 10. Spend time thinking about the evaluation component of the proposal This is becoming more important

49. 15 June 2012 49 Conclusion Writing a proposal is a lot or work. There is a feeling of elation when the proposal is funded�. Then you realize the real work hasn�t even started!!!

50. 15 June 2012 50 The Matthew Effect* Once you get one project funded, this leads to other projects being funded.

51. Federal Grants

52. Federal Grants There are a multitude of Federal Grants All the federal programs can be found in the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (http://12.46.245.173/cfda/cfda.html)

53. Examples of Federal Grant Programs Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Work with community groups and local and State governments to conserve rivers, preserve open space, and develop trails and greenways.

54. Examples of Federal Grant Programs Protection of Children and the Aging as a Fundamental Goal of Public Health and Environmental Protection To catalyze community-based and regional projects and other actions that enhance public outreach and communication; assist families in evaluating risks to children and in making informed consumer choices; build partnerships that increase a community's long-term capacity to advance protection of children's environmental health and safety;

55. Examples of Federal Grant Programs Secondary and Two-Year Postsecondary Agricultural Education Challenge Grant Program To promote excellence in agriscience and agribusiness education, and to encourage more young Americans to pursue baccalaureate and higher degrees in the food and agricultural sciences.