Introduction to Neuroscience Methodology
Research Grant Proposal
Grant Proposal:
Your final project will be an individual and original research proposal designed from recent primary literature you have reviewed related to the theme of Prosocial Behavior. You will write a grant proposal that includes background literature, proposed methods and analyses, expected results, and probable conclusions.
Before writing the full proposal, you will present an outline of your proposed design to the professor, which you will use to revise your design before turning in the paper. Your design must incorporate at least one of the methodologies discussed in the course. It may involve any area of research that you find most interesting from a cellular, behavior or cognitive point of view in the discipline of neuroscience.
Below are some notes about what to consider for the various sections. For the introduction, we are not suggesting that you use separate subsections to address the Background & Significance, and Questions/Hypotheses. Rather, you should integrate your hypotheses into the literature to some extent.
Briefly reiterate your hypotheses at the end of the introduction, even if you have already alluded to them previously. You may use either APA or CSE style of citation for writing the prospectus.
It is critical that you cite all referenced work throughout the proposal.
1. Introduction
Background and Significance
Briefly sketch the background leading to the present proposal, critically evaluate existing knowledge, and specifically identify the gaps that the project is intended to fill. State concisely the importance and relevance of the research described to the proposed study.
Question(s)/Hypotheses
Address the broader objectives/question and the more specific aims/hypotheses of the proposed research. Have specific predictions about what you will find, including an expected interaction between the variables.
2. Methods
Methods
Describe the specific details for carrying out the proposed study, including the population of subjects to be used (see below for use of animal subjects), the stimuli and/or minor equipment needed, and the procedures to be used to accomplish the specific aims of the project.
Particularly describe any differences in methodology from previous studies on this topic and their advantage over existing methodologies.
Discuss the potential difficulties and limitations of the proposed procedures and alternative approaches to achieve the aims.
Facilities and Major Equipment
Create a separate subsection in which you specify the facilities needed for the conduct of the proposed research, including the ideal location where the data will be collected.
List the major equipment items necessary for this project, noting the pertinent capabilities of each.
Research Design and Data Analysis
Create a separate subsection in which you explicitly describe the methodological design of the study. As part of this section, provide a tentative sequence or timetable for the project.
Include a detailed description of how the data will be analyzed, i.e., how the data will be scored, what tests will be run, and what post-hoc analyses will be used if significant results are found.
Human Participants
Address the following points in the Participants section (using a numbered outline is okay but not required).
Describe the characteristics of the subject population, including their anticipated number, age range, and health status.
Identify the criteria for inclusion or exclusion of any subpopulation.
Explain the rationale for the involvement of vulnerable populations, such as pregnant women, children, institutionalized individuals, or others who may be considered vulnerable populations.
The inclusion of women and members of minority groups and their subpopulations must be addressed in developing a research design appropriate to the scientific objectives of the study.
Describe the composition of the proposed study population in terms of sex/gender and racial/ethnic group, and provide a rationale for selection of such subjects. Such a plan should contain a description of the proposed outreach programs for recruiting women and minorities as participants.
Describe any potential risks (physical, psychological, social, legal, or other) and assess their likelihood and seriousness to the subjects. Describe planned procedures for protecting against or minimizing potential risks, including risks to confidentiality.
Where appropriate, discuss plans for ensuring necessary medical or professional intervention in the event of adverse effects to the subjects.
Animal Subjects
If using animal subjects, you should, in lieu of a Participants section, have a separate subsection titled Animal Subjects in which you address the following five points (using a numbered outline is okay but not required).
Identify the species, strains, ages, sex, and numbers of animals to be used in the proposed work.
Justify the use of animals, the choice of species, and the numbers to be used. If animals are in short supply, costly, or to be used in large numbers, provide an additional rationale for their selection and numbers.
Provide information on the veterinary care of the animals involved.
Describe the procedures for ensuring that discomfort, distress, pain, and injury will be limited to that which is unavoidable in the conduct of scientifically sound research.
Describe the use of analgesic, anesthetic, and tranquilizing drugs and/or comfortable restraining devices, where appropriate, to minimize discomfort, distress, pain, and injury.
Describe any method of euthanasia to be used and the reasons for its selection. State whether this method is consistent with the recommendations of the Panel on Euthanasia of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
If not, present a justification for not following the recommendations. If the method was used by previous researchers, you may assume it is consistent with those recommendations.
Consult the Moravian College Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals for assistance with this section of your proposal.
3. Results
Describe the expected pattern of results, much as you would an actual pattern of results. Include at least one figure or table to illustrate, more if appropriate.
4. Conclusions
Discuss what conclusions you would make regarding your expected results. Also discuss what conclusions you would make if the results did not come out as expected.
End with a discussion of possible avenues for future exploration extending from your study.
5. References and Figures/Tables
Follow APA or CSE style when citing references and for reference list, as well as for Figures and Tables.
You are required to have at least 8 primary references, which can include references used to supporting methodological details. You may have as many secondary references as you feel are appropriate.
