1. Preparing Research Proposals and Grant Applications

2. Research Proposal/Grant Application Research Proposal Grant Application For graduate students For others, the researchwriting a thesis, theproposal is typicallyresearch proposal is presented to a fundingpresented to yourcommittee for theiragency, school board orapproval before youextension administrationconduct the research for approval/funding 3. Research Proposals and Research Reports Research Proposal/Grant Research ReportApplication A report of research that A plan of action and you have already justification for research conducted that you plan to do a research report is past A research proposal/granttense application is future tense, Length (in general) Length Thesis - 50-90 pages Typically 12-25 pages for Dissertation - 75-200 pages graduate student research Journal Article or Research proposals Paper Presented at a Grant Application conference 12-20 pages Private Foundation > 2- 10 pages Government > 20-50 pages 4. Thesis/Dissertation Chapters In Agricultural & Extension Educationtheses/dissertations there are typically 5chapters:1. Introduction2. Review of Literature3. Methodology4. Findings5. Conclusions & Recommendations 5. What should be in aresearch proposal/report? A research proposal A research report A synopsis of what will be For theses and written in chapters 1, 2 and 3 Introductiondissertations all five Review of Literaturechapters Methodology For journal articles and papers a synopsis of all five chapters 6. Introduction Section or Chapter 1 The introductory section introduces the problem tobe studied and could range from 3 or so paragraphsto several pages This is often followed by a section titled Need forthe Study. This is 1- 3 paragraphs in length. Hereyou make the case for studying the problem youhave selected. 7. Introduction Section Statement of the Problem is next. Thisis one or two sentences clearly statingwhat it is being study. If often startswith The purposeThe purpose of this study is to determine ifimmediate feedback in AEE graduate classesimproves student learning and course evaluations. 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 provideimmediate feedback to graduate students in AEE classesincrease student learning? Does the use of electronic responders to provideimmediate feedback to graduate students in AEE classesimprove student evaluations of classes? 10. Research Question(s) One may have several research question For data analysis avoid research questions with anand 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?One part of the question may be yes and theother no. It is best to compartmentalizeeverything. 11. The Hypothesis In proposing or reporting research, directionalhypotheses are normally stated: Directional Students will have higher grades in AEE classes in which electronicresponders are used than in AEE classes where they are not used. 12. The Hypothesis It is possible to have a nondirectionalhypothesis. This is stated the same as a nullhypothesis. When one performs a statistical test, they areactually testing the Null hypothesis 13. Introduction continued The introductory section often contains: Assumptions These are assumptions you haveabout the research being proposed you think people will answer honestly, they have knowledge of the subject, they are representative, etc.Typically this is included in a proposal and intheses and dissertations but is not reported injournal articles or research presentations. 14. Introduction continued The introductory section generally contains: Limitations Things that happened during thestudy they may impact on your findings or thegeneralizability 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.Typically this is included in a proposal and intheses and dissertations but is not reported injournal articles or research presentations unlessthere is a glaring problem. 15. Introduction continued The introductory section generally contains: Definitions Define the terms in your researchthat the average person might not know or if youhave a special definition for the term Classroom discipline problem Lesson PlanTypically this is included in a proposal and intheses and dissertations but is not reported injournal articles or research presentations. It isassumed your audience will know the words. 16. Section 2 Review of Literature By the time you finish yourresearch, you should knowmore about the topic thananyone else, includingmembers of your committee.You accomplish this by athorough review of existingresearch regarding theproblem. 17. Literature Review In a thesis or dissertation, this section may be 10-50pages. In a journal article it may only be 2-3 pages at themost. You have to prove you know the research butcant go overboard because of page limitations onmanuscripts. In a grant proposal you might have 2-5 references toother work to show that you are aware of itsexistence 18. Literature Review It is generally best to start globally and thennarrow it down to the specific researchquestion you have. Next weeks class focuses on how to conduct aliterature review. 19. Literature Review You want to synthesize and merge what others had done, not just string a bunch of quotes together!!!!YES! Moving around the classroom helps to maintainstudent interest (Banks, 2001; Carpenter, 1996;James, 1998) Banks (2001) says it is important to move around inthe classroom.NO! Carpenter (1996) believes movement in theclassroom helps students to focus on the teacher. James (1998) says teachers should change theirposition every 3-4 minutes in order to keep studentattention. 20. Section 3- Methods Describe the research methodology (correlational,descriptive, etc.) you are used (or plan to use) andwhy. Describe the population you are studying. If a sample is used, tell how big the sample is, whythat sample size was chosen, and how the samplewas selected (I.e stratified random sample, clustersample, etc.) 21. Section 3 - Methods If the research is experimental, describe theresearch design and what was done to controlextraneous variables. If the research is historical discuss sources ofdata. 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 (Personalinterview, 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 inanalyzing the data. Why did you use thestatistics you did. 25. Section 4- Findings Report the data you have collected. Follow the same sequence in presenting the data sothat is corresponds with your research questions orhypotheses. Data should be reported both in writing and ingraphic form (tables, graphs, etc.) The tables shouldsupport the narrative and vice-versa. However, thetext should be able to stand alone. Report any statistical tests. Just report the facts, dont make any interpretationsat 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 Researchand Projects 28. Private Foundations 29. Private Foundations Rich folks & companies create foundations tohave a formal way of giving away money. There are 61,000 foundations Some foundations are having problems givingout money. 30. Private Foundations By law, foundations must give away 5% oftheir 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 anduniversity libraries called The FoundationDirectory (it cost $400) It lists foundations by state and also has asubject 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 NCSUsubscribed but budget cuts have impacted this 33. Private Foundations The Foundation Center is a web site that hasall 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 givegrants in North Carolina 35. 120100Top 10 Foundations in( in m illions) 80 60North Carolina 40 200Duke Endow m entBank of Am ericaBurroughs Wellcom eKat e ReynoldsFoundat ion of t he CarolinasFirst UnionSabbah Fam ilyZ. Sm it h ReynoldsWinst on-Salem Foundat ionCom m unit y Foundat ion - West ern NC 36. Some NC Foundations D. F. Halton Foundation (Charlotte) $430,625 was given last year Youth, education, social services and performingarts are supported (vocational education isspecifically mentioned) Limited to Charlotte area and surrounding 7counties Funds come from Pepsi-Cola 37. Some NC Foundations Lowes Charitable and Educational Foundation(N. Wilkesboro) Last year135 grants totaling $988,128 were given Support education, community development, etc. 38. Hints on Writing a Proposal forPrivate Foundations 1. Dont hesitate to call the contact personwith questions. That persons job is to give money away, notguard it. He/she wants to help you submit asuccessful proposal.December 11, 2012 39. Hints on Writing a Proposal 2. Use simple languagein the proposal Write the proposal so thatyour mother could understand it39 40. Simple language Dont try to impress people with your extensivevocabulary Before using an acronym first spell it out andexplain it (SAE, IEP, LEA, FFA) Avoid educational jargonDecember 11, 2012 40 41. Hints on Writing a Proposal 3. Address all the points in the guidelines Follow the format (and wording) inthe proposalDecember 11, 2012 41 42. Hints on Writing a Proposal 4. Neatness counts (so does spelling,grammar, sentence structure, etc.)December 11, 201242 43. Hints on Writing a Proposal 5. Proposals showing partnerships are viewedvery favorably. Team up with: another department in the school another school an institution of higher education a private group a commodity groupDecember 11, 201243 44. Hints on Writing a Proposal 6. Think of a different angle Try to be creative in your thinking.December 11, 201244 45. Hints on Writing a Proposal 7. A proposal that is not submitted will not befunded! The worst thing that can happen is they say no. Then send your proposal someother place.December 11, 2012 45 46. Hints on Writing a Proposal 8. The title of your proposal should be catchy,but not cutesy! LEAP GRAEDE OpenCourseWareDecember 11, 2012 46 47. Hints on Writing a Proposal 9. Use action words Use Will---not if, could, should Use investment, not giftDecember 11, 201247 48. Hints on Writing a Proposal 10. Spend time thinking about the evaluationcomponent of the proposal This is becoming more importantDecember 11, 201248 49. Conclusion Writing a proposal is a lot or work. There is a feeling of elation when the proposalis funded. Then you realize the real work hasnt evenstarted!!!December 11, 2012 49 50. The Matthew Effect* Once you get one project funded, this leads toother projects being funded. *Based upon the parable in the Bible of the rich man who gave various amounts of talents to his servants for them to invest.December 11, 201250 51. Federal Grants 52. Federal Grants There are a multitude of Federal Grants All the federal programs can be found in theCatalog of Federal Domestic Assistance(http://12.46.245.173/cfda/cfda.html) 53. Examples of FederalGrant Programs Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Work with community groups and local and Stategovernments to conserve rivers, preserve openspace, and develop trails and greenways. 54. Examples of FederalGrant Programs Protection of Children and the Aging as a Fundamental Goalof 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 communitys long-term capacity to advance protection of childrens environmental health and safety; 55. Examples of FederalGrant Programs Secondary and Two-Year PostsecondaryAgricultural Education Challenge GrantProgram To promote excellence in agriscience andagribusiness education, and to encourage moreyoung Americans to pursue baccalaureate andhigher degrees in the food and agriculturalsciences.