Juan Battle’s Thoughts on
Writing a Proposal
My comments in this document are not as instructive, in as much as they are suggestive. Grant topics/methodologies are so varied, attempting to give universal advice is usually counterproductive. Universal advice has already been laid out elsewhere, rather nicely, on websites and in books. A strategic Google search will serve you well.
As you endeavor in this process, the first piece of advice I would offer is to get help — build a team of support.
Second, get examples. Try to get copies of funded/successful proposals from your department or funding source. Most funders publish the name(s) of their grantees. Since they’ve already been funded, if you’re very nice when you ask, many people will gladly share copies of their funded proposal … especially if they don’t plan on going back to that particular funder.
Early in the process, I suggest first answering the “Drafting the Research Proposal” questions (see page 2 below). Work on it until you can answer all four questions in one page.
The proposal should be no longer than 15 pages (not including the reference section and pertinent appendices), and include at least seven sections/parts:
A. Abstract
B. Background
C. Methods
D. References
E. Timeline
F. Budget
G. IRB/Human Subjects
Now, for more detail …
Abstract (150 words)
At the beginning of the proposal, include a tight abstract (about 150 words should be fine). Doing so provides a cognitive roadmap for readers/reviewers.
In some form or fashion, the abstract should cover:
a. What is your topic/question (substantive problem)?
b. Why is this issue/topic/question important (intellectual rationale / contribution to
the field / what conversation or debate your topic is engaged in)?
c. What is your methodology (research design)?
d. If not covered in ‘b’ above, what do you hope to find? What difference will this
research make?
e. How long should the proposed project take?
f. How much money are you applying for?
Background (5 pages)
This portion of the proposal needs to include, in some form or fashion, the project’s:
a. research question or statement of the problem
b. rationale
c. theoretical framework
d. literature review
e. contribution to the field
For this section of the proposal, use subheadings. It will make it much easier for a reader to follow your cognitive process.
To make things easier for the reader/reviewer, consider including a visual logic or conceptual model that shows the relationship between/among your variables/theories. Here too, a strategic Google search will serve you well.
The paragraph at the end of the ‘background’ section and immediately before the ‘methods’ section is an extremely important paragraph. That paragraph should:
a. remind the reader of the research question;
b. again, briefly state the limitations of previous research in addressing the question/problem; in other words, what has not been done;
c. while referring to your own methodology, briefly tell the reader how this research/project will fill that gap.
Ultimately, that last paragraph serves as a cognitive roadmap to remind the reader what you are doing and what to expect from the proposal.
Methods (10 pages)
This is actually the largest part of any proposal. Here, you are to describe, in as much detail as possible, what YOU are going to do. The literature review describes what others have done. Now, it’s time for YOU to shine.
When describing the methods sections, keep two things in mind: specify and justify.
Specify exactly what you’re doing and what you’re doing it on/with. And while doing so, justify exactly why that sample and methodology was used.
One of the biggest mistakes people make not specifying and justifying their selection criteria.
When explaining the selection criteria or the use/employment of a <state, country, dataset, organization, etc.>, your familiarity with it or ease of access to it is not a sufficient justification. Further, stating that you don’t have enough money or time does not absolve you from doing it ‘right’.
Stating such information communicates that you are more of a lazy researcher than a critical thinker. It suggests you are more interested in getting a project completed than you are in answering a research question and contributing to the field.
Independent of your ease of access, your limited time, and your limited resources, that particular subject/respondent/unit of analysis should have inherent merit for selection. Emphasize THAT merit/criteria!
References
This part is fairly straightforward.
Appendices
The following items do not (typically) use any of the 15-page limitation.
Timeline
Be sure to include a specific timeline. When should the data collection/analysis conclude? How long will it take you to acquire datasets or get access to prospective respondents?
In addition to a narrative, I also suggest a fairly detailed visual (Gantt) chart. This too makes it easier for a reviewer to assess your proposal/project.
Here is an example of a general timeline and here is an example of a dissertation timeline.
Budget
How much money would you need to do this project as you currently have it designed? How much for travel, training, acquiring data, purchasing needed equipment (e.g. office supplies, a computer/laptop), hiring support staff, purchasing appropriate software, paying respondents, etc.?
Further, having some sense of a budget will actually frame what you can and cannot do. For example, the amount of money it would take to collect original data while living in the heart of Paris for two years is very different from the amount of money it would take to spend two years looking through the New York Public Library’s online collection.
In addition to the actual numbers, don’t forget to include a budget justification – the narrative explaining, in detail, why you want what you want (including salaries).
For more details, see the sample budget, sample budget justification, and sample budget checklist.
IRB/Human Subjects
I don’t know of any reparable institution in the country that doesn’t require researchers to address Human Subjects. Find out what is required, address it, and include it in your proposal.
So remember, get help, get examples, and finally, get and keep going!
I hope these comments prove useful as you begin, develop, and complete your proposal (smile).