Proposals That Work

Lawrence F. Locke is Professor Emeritus of Education and Physical Education at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. A native of Connecticut, he received his bachelor's and master's degrees from Springfield College and a Ph.D. from Stanford University. He has written extensively on the production and utilization of research on teaching and teacher education. He has authored a number of books designed to assist non-specialists with the tasks of reading and understanding research. After many years residing in Sunderland, MA he now makes his home on Cape Cod, but with his wife, Professor Lorraine Goyette, he has spent much of each year writing, running, and exploring the Beartooth Mountains at Sky Ranch in Reed Point, MT. Waneen Wyrick Spirduso is the Mauzy Regents Professor Emerita in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Education at The University of Texas at Austin. She is a native of Austin and holds bachelor's and doctoral degrees from The University of Texas and a master's degree from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Her research focuses on the effects of aging and the mechanisms of motor control. She has been a prolific contributor to the research literature and has authored textbooks related to research methods and aging. She taught research methods and directed student research for more than four decades and has received numerous research grants from the federal government and foundations. She plays golf and rows, and lives with her husband, Craig Spirduso, in Austin, TX. Her website is http://www.edb.utexas.edu/coe/depts/kin/faculty/spirduso/index.html Stephen J. Silverman is Professor of Education and Chair of the Department of Biobehavioral Sciences at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is a native of Philadelphia and holds a bachelor's degree from Temple University, a master's degree from Washington State University, and a doctoral degree from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst. His research focuses on teaching and learning in physical education and on methods for conducting research in field settings. He has authored numerous research articles and chapters, and is coauthor of a number of books. He has served as editor of two research journals, is an experienced research consultant, has directed graduate students, and has, for many years, taught classes in research methods, statistics, and measurement. He enjoys running, following politics, and aquatic sports, and lives with his wife, Patricia Moran, on the Upper West Side of Manhattan. His website is: http://www.tc.columbia.edu/faculty/ss928

"I was familiar with an earlier (3rd) version of this text. I thought it was an excellent resource for graduate students and faculty mentoring graduate student researchers and/or grant writers. I was equally impressed with the 5th edition of this text and have recommended it to all faculty in both of the departments in which I teach research courses." -- Dr. Lorraine Pearl-Kraus 20110225

• PART I: WRITING THE PROPOSAL CHAPTER 1. The Function of the Proposal Function Regulations Governing Proposals General Considerations General Format Specific Tasks Completing the Tasks: The Proposal and the Report CHAPTER 2. Doing the Right Thing: "The Habit of Truth" Ethics and the Research Process The Ethics of Writing Ethics in Publication Personal and Professional Relationships CHAPTER 3. Developing the Thesis or Dissertation Proposal: Some Common Problems Before the Proposal: First Things First The Sequence of Proposing: From Selecting a Topic to Forming a Committee CHAPTER 4. Content of the Proposal: Important Considerations Reviewing the Literature: Finding It First Reviewing the Literature: Writing the Right Stuff Spadework: The Proper Use of Pilot Studies Murphy's Law: Anticipating the Unexpected Anticipating the Analysis: Do It Now The Statistical Well: Drinking the Greatest Draught The Scientific State of Mind: Proof, Truth, and Rationalized Choices CHAPTER 5. Preparation of Proposals for Qualitative Research: Different Assumptions The Only Constant Is Change Disagreements and Diversity A Brief Description of Qualitative Research Preparing a Proposal for Qualitative Research Resources for Qualitative Research The Decision to Go Qualitative CHAPTER 6. Style and Form in Writing the Proposal Praising, Exhorting, and Polemicizing: Don't Quotations: How to Pick Fruit From the Knowledge Tree Clarity and Precision: Speaking in System Language Editing: The Care and Nurture of a Document In Search of a Title: First Impressions and the Route to Retrieval CHAPTER 7. The Oral Presentation Preparing Content Preparing Materials A Special Note about the Use of PowerPoint Practice and Revision Preparing the Environment Oral Presentation Managing Interaction The Aftermath PART II: MONEY FOR RESEARCH Introduction CHAPTER 8. Money for Research: How to Ask for Help Introduction Money is Available to Support Research Locating the Money Tree Working with the Money Source The Grant Application-The Big Picture Dealing with Rejection Planning and Preparation: Taking the Long View Special Tips (and Encouragement) for Students CHAPTER 9. Preparation of the Grant Proposal Using Planning Models and Flowcharts The Application Letters of Endorsement and Confirmation The Research Plan Appendices Summary PART III: SPECIMEN PROPOSALS Introduction PROPOSAL 1. Experimental Study-Strength Training in Older Women: Does Self-Efficacy Mediate Improvements in Physical Function? PROPOSAL 2. Qualitative Study-Teachers Who Make a Difference: Voices of Mexican American Students PROPOSAL 3. Online Electronic Survey Study-The Nutrition Care Process of Front-line Pediatric HIV Providers PROPOSAL 4. Funded Grant- How Higher Education In Prison Affects Student-Inmates' Social Capital And Conceptions Of Self APPENDIX A: Annotated Bibliography of Supplementary References