PROJECT PROPOSAL
Format | Sample

• Step 1 (Format). Create the format (title, name, headings, subheadings exactly as in sample proposal). Use the sample proposal as a template (you can even copy it and then use paste special and paste it into Word as unformatted text so it doesn't go in as html. After pasting, you can center the title/name, bold the headings/subheadings, etc. in Word and then replace my text with your information when ready. See the Proposal Format page for what to put in each section.

• Step 2 (Table/Graph). I know this sounds weird because you haven't even collected data yet, but before you do collect any data, it is best to know what you are going to do with it once you collect it. Once you have the table/graph, the rest falls in place (ie., confirm your research question will be answered by the data in your table/graph, write the methods that will get you those data, etc.). Notice how I call it Table 1 and include a complete caption that contains what the data are (including sample size), the location, the date (include time if important), and information about the statistics (because my table has the last column of statistical results).
  Example:
  

  Table 1. Tree, shrub, and succulent density (per 2500 m2) on the north- versus south-facing slope of Tumamoc Hill in Tucson, AZ as observed February 21 and 28, 2009. Significance (p<0.05) determined by chi square analysis.

  	North-facing Slope	South-facing Slope	Significant?
  Tree Density
  Shrub Density
  Succulent Density
  Total Plant Density

  .

• Step 3 (Title/Name). Make your title informative (often best just to use your research question).
  Example: Plant density on the north-facing versus south-facing side of Tumamoc Hill in Tucson, Arizona.

• Step 4 (Research Question). Write your research question next to the heading (make sure it is one sentence and has a question mark at the end).
  Example: How does plant density differ between the north-facing and south-facing side of Tumamoc Hill in Tucson, AZ?

• Step 5 (Hypotheses/Deductions). Hypotheses are possible answers to your question. Start with your null hypothesis (abbreviated H0) which is the one that states that there is no significant difference (effect). Then state a deduction (evidence you will use to support or refute your hypothesis) for your H0 (abbreviated D0). Now state your alternative hypotheses (H1, H2, ...) and their deductions (D0, D1, ...).
  Example:
  H0: plant density will be similar on the north-facing and south-facing sides of Tumamoc Hill in Tucson, AZ.
  D0: The p value for the chi square test comparing plant densities will be 0.05 or greater.
  
  H1: plant density will be greater on the north-facing than the south-facing side of Tumamoc Hill in Tucson, AZ.
  D1: the p value for the chi square test will be less than 0.05 and the density will be greater on north-facing slope.
  
  H2: plant density will be greater on the south-facing than the north-facing side of Tumamoc Hill in Tucson, AZ.
  D2: The p value for the chi square test will be less than 0.05 and the density will be greater on south-facing slope.
  

• Step 6 (Variables/Assumptions). This section will help you create scientifically sound methods and will help you interpret your data. The independent variable is the variable you manipulate (the tested cause of the effect). The dependent variable is the variable affected by the change in the independent variable. The controlled variables are factors that could affect the results but that you keep the same among all samples so that they don't have an effect on the results. Assumptions are statements that you must assume to be true for interpretting the results of your study but that you do not actually measure (for instance, you may have to assume that plants within a wash receive more water than plants away from a wash).
  
  Example 1: Does plant density differ on north- versus south-facing slope?
  

  Independent Variable: Direction slope faces (north vs. south).
  Dependent Variables: Plant density.
  Controlled Variables: time of year, steepness, and ... (I want you to come up with them).
  Assumptions: South-facing slopes will receive more direct sunlight than north-facing slopes, thus will experience higher solar radiation, higher temperatures, higher rates of evaporation, and lower soil moisture.uman impact will be the same on both slopes.
  
  Example 2: Do birds prefer one type of bird seed over another?
  Independent Variable: type of bird seed.
  Dependent Variable: number of bird visits to feeder per hour or weight/volume of bird seed eaten per hour.
  Controlled Variables: date, weather, time, location, type of bird feeder, placement of bird feeder, and disturbances.
  Assumptions: more bird visits means more preference. The difference in weight/volume of bird seed before and after measure was actually eaten by birds and more consumption equals more preference. Type of bird seed affects energy content, nutrient content, and difficulty to eat.

• Step 7 (Dates/Times). Write the dates/times you think you will conduct your study. Make sure it is clear to the reader what times (start and stop) you will conduct your study each day, and don't forget to put in the year and am or pm.
  Example:
  On February 21, 2009 from 9 am until 1 pm I will sample the north-facing slope, and on February 28, 2009 from 9:00 am until 1:00 pm I will sample the south-facing slope.
  Here is a link that might prove helpful: Tucson sunrise/sunset times.

• Step 8 (Locations). Write the location(s) where you will conduct your study. Be sure to include the closest city or town (and include the state). Also include a description of your sites, including only information relevant to your study.
  Example:
  North and south sides of Tumamoc Hill located on the West side of Tucson, Arizona. Tumamoc Hill is a protected site reaching 947 m (3107 feet) high (~200 m above surrounding), and contains natural sonoran desert vegetation.

• Step 9 (Sampling System). Be clear on how you will choose which individuals to include in your study. Give predicted sample size if known. Sometimes you will not know, and in these cases, just state that you will keep repeating the collection of data (laying out one transect after another for example) until time runs out (example four hours each of two days). Some method ideas are here.
  Example:
  On the north and south sides of Tumamoc Hill (determined by compass), I will start at an arbitrary point 100 meters up from the bottom of the hill, and I will lay out five (more if time allows) 50-meter transects (10 transects total), 20 meters apart, running along the contour of the slope (not up and down the slope). The area sampled will be everything within 5 meters of each transect line (500 square meters per transect line). Total area sampled on each side of the hill will be 2500 square meters (or more if time allows).

• Step 10 (Data Collection). State the data you are going to collect and how you are going to collect it.
  Example: I will record the number of individuals for each tree, shrub, and succulent plant species that are at least 10 cm (4") tall within 5 meters of each transect line.

• Step 11 (Data Analysis). State what you are going to do with the data after you have collected it. Often you will sum data to get a total. Sometimes you will calculate averages or percentages. For most studies, you will then statistically analyze your data to compare to your deductions. In general, you will use the chi square test when comparing totals and the t-test when comparing averages..
  Example: I will sum the data from the five transects on each side of the hill to calculate density per 2500 square meters. I will analyze values for all plants combined and grouped by life form (trees, shrubs, succulents). Finally, I will compare numbers using the chi square test to determine if there are significant differences in plant density between the two sides of the hill.
  
  Example 2: Bird food study
  I will calculate the average number of bird visits to each feeder per hour over the 10 day period. I will compare these averages using the t-test to determine whether bird visitation rate differed significantly between the feeder with sunflower seeds and the feeder with millet seeds.

• Step 12 (Results). For the proposal, just refer to your table(s) and/or graph(s) and present the table(s)/graph(s) you already created in step 2 above. Make sure the caption is still correct. You can put your tables/graphs at the end of the whole proposal.
  Example:
  See Table 1.
  [ See sample table above in step 2]

• Step 13 (Submit and Review Feedback). When you are finished, confirm that you have followed the correct format and submit your proposal to me by email. Do not collect data until you have received, understood, and revised your proposal based upon my feedback. If you submitted your proposal more than one week before the due date, then you can resubmit your proposal by the due date for a re-grade.

Back to Top