RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES: STA 420 PROJECT DESCRIPTION PROPOSAL PAPER (about 10 - 15 pages = 100 points) The project description is a narrative of a research proposal. It consists of the following: introduction, problem statement and significance, goals and objectives, methods and procedures, evaluation, and dissemination. This rubric is based upon the work of Leiyu Shi at Health Services Research Methods, and Dr. Glen Oren, former professor at Mercy College of Health Sciences. The proposal needs to be written with a scholarly tone, and in APA format. Page quantities are suggestions to keep your paper succinct. Points will not be deducted for exceeding the suggested number of pages, unless the paper is written with unorganized, unnecessary, excessive information. INTRODUCTION: (try to keep this about 1 page) The introduction section summarizes the problem. It should be written so someone unfamiliar with the subject matter will have no difficultly considering your proposal within the context of general knowledge. It should be a brief summary of the highlights of the literature review to support why you think the research is important and contributes to the existing body of knowledge. Further, this is a good place to indicate "knowledge gaps" and how your research will address those issues (a good place to start to "sell" your unique work). This summary helps draw the reader in as to why you are doing the research project and why they should financially support the research. SUMMARY OF THE LITERATURE REVIEW (about 2 to 4 pages, depending on the number of articles used) It should draw upon important landmarks of your literature review such as researcher's conclusions, important theories and the integral parts of those theories, consistency of various research findings, discrepancies, etc. In essence, the literature review demonstrates what has been done and how this research is the foundation, adds, or compliments to the advancement of the issue(s). How you construct the literature review further demonstrates your knowledge and expertise in the subject matter. The references will be included at the end of the paper. You should review 3-5 articles relevant to your chosen topic. CLINICAL QUESTION / PROBLEM STATEMENT AND SIGNIFICANCE: (try to keep this about 1 page) The clinical question or problem statement and significance portion of your research proposal describes the detailed purpose of your proposed work and its significance with respect to the funding agencies goals and objectives. Remember, you are hoping to be given a great deal of money and the funding agency only wants to give money to those top projects they feel will help them achieve their goals. You should think about why the topic is worth the money, what is the practical significance of your work, who will benefit and why, and what problem(s) does it help solve? Be sure to include your clinical question in PICO format (population, needed intervention, comparison to the previous or current situation, and outcome to you hope to achieve). GOAL(S) / OBJECTIVE STATEMENT: (try to keep this about 1 page) This section presents a detailed description of the work you will be doing. Exactly what are you going to be doing? Goals are basically, general statements delineating the outcomes of your proposed study. Objectives are more specific and summarize the activities, and will include a detailed description of the outcomes, how they will be assessed. Be sure to include your objective statement in the S.M.A.R.T format (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time bound). Be sure the statement answers: who, what, where, when, how much and how do you know. 1 METHODS AND PROCEDURES: (about 3 to 5 pages) This section is very specific as it is probably the most important section of the narrative. In this section, you will describe in detail: the general research plan, research design with sampling strategy (control group vs. experimental), relevant theory with citation of where the theory came from, how you will be testing your hypothesis (null vs. alternative), and validity of research method. This detailed discussion should include study population characteristics, complimented sampling strategy with very specific sampling design, as well as consideration for human subject research issues (respect, justice and beneficence). With respect to measurement, a detailed discussion should encompass the key variables (independent vs. dependent) of the study, sources of data for the study, and their definitions. Data collection methods and procedures should be described in detail. For example, will a survey, experiment, or meta-analysis be performed? What methods will be utilized to analyze the data collected? What data analysis approach and analytical methods will be used? For example, what type of data will you collect and how will you collect it? Are your methods ethical? Do they require consent by the participants? It is very useful for both the funding agency and the investigator to include a projected timeline for the activities in this section. Having a timeline serves to be useful during the conduct of research to help gauge progress. When projects are funded, a researcher is held to a specific timeline based on the duration of the grant. BUDGET PROPOSAL (try to keep this about 1 page, an included spreadsheet would be an additional page) Describe how you determined what funding you will need to complete the research project. The budget for the proposed research project may potentially include the following projections: Compensation of personnel supporting the research Compensation of consultants supporting the research, if applicable Cost of equipment and supplies (reoccurring and nonrecurring) needed to conduct the research Cost of any travel associated with the research project Compensation of subjects participating the research Cost of any laboratory animals needed to conduct the research Cost of any other miscellaneous expenses associated to the research Total annual cost Total cost of subsequent years with inflation factored in the calculation Grand total cost of the research A spreadsheet may be used to help describe the mathematics of the budget. EVALUATION AND DISSEMINATION: (try to keep this about 2 page) The evaluation section gives a plan for assessing and analyzing how well the researcher is progressing in the project. It clarifies how the researcher will evaluate the progress of the project by specifying how each activities completion will be measured and what conditions and mechanisms are in place for revising activities (e.g., plan "B"). It will include how the progress of the research will be communicated, and possible venues for dissemination one the research is complete. What journals may have good readership and an audience who would find your 2 research relevant? Name at least one healthcare journal where the research could possibly be published. REFERENCES: References for the literature review and any other sections of the proposal are listed here in APA format. Three to five journal articles should be used to support the need for your research proposal. GRADING RUBRIC - RESEARCH METHODOLOGIES: STA 420 - PROJECT DESCRIPTION PROPOSAL Criteria Unacceptable Acceptable Good Outstanding Introduction 5 points 0 points 3 points 4 points 5 points Summary of Literature Review 10 points Clinical Question (PICO) 5 points Problem & SMART Objective Statement 5 points Methods (plan, design, sampling, theory, hypothesis, validity) 40 pts Budget (compensation, costs) 5 points Evaluation and Dissemination 10 points Scholarly Writing 5 points Paper is written in a consistent scholarly tone. Formal writing is used throughout the paper. Writing is crisp, clear, and succinct. Meaning is clear. Little, if any, spelling or grammatical errors. APA format (per MCHS rubric) 5 points Citations (per MCHS rubric) 5 points All needed citations were included in the report. References matched the 0 points 5 points 7 points 10 points 0 points 3 points 4 points 5 points 0 points 3 points 4 points 5 points 0 points 30 points 35 points 40 points 0 points 3 points 4 points 5 points 0 points 5 points 7 points 10 points 0 points 3 points 4 points 5 points 0 points 3 points 4 points 5 points 0 points 3 points 4 points 5 points 3 citations. References (per MCHS rubric) 5 points Three to five references were credible and included. 0 points 3 points 4 points 5 points Total points _________________ / 100 (An example of an organization who funds research, and what they require to apply for funding...) STRATEGY FOR NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF HEALTH FUNDING: The National Institute of Health (NIH) is a branch of the US Department of Health and Human Services (DHS). They have a designated amount of funds to support research. To apply for their grants, the process described below should be completed. To secure funding for an NIH grant, you'll need sound guidance and a solid strategy. The strategy takes you through all the steps from qualifying for NIH support to staying funded. Even more, it gives you specific "to do's" so you are prepared at every stage. There are other private and nonprofit organizations who also fund research. They would require similar steps. The outline below may be used to help guide you in describing the details of your proposal, as requested in the rubric. http://www.niaid.nih.gov/researchfunding/grant/strategy/pages/default.aspx?wt.ac=bcStrategy Part 1. Part 2. Part 3. Part 4. Part 5. Part 6. Qualify for NIH Funding Strategy to Determine What Funding You Qualify For Pick and Design a Project Timing for Picking and Designing Your Project Strategy to Pick a Project Strategy to Design a Project Write Your Application Timing for Writing Your Application Strategy to Write the Research Plan Strategy to Prepare the Forms and Just-in-Time Submit Your Application Timing for Submitting Your Application Strategy for Getting Ready to Submit Strategy for a Successful Submission Assignment and Review Timing for Assignment and Review Strategy for Assignment and Review Strategy for Second-Level Review If Not Funded Timing if Not Funded Strategy to Assess Your Options 4 Part 7. Strategy for Resubmitting Funding Timing for Funding and Staying Funded Strategy for Funding Decisions Strategy for Your Grant Strategy for Staying Funded 5 Research Proposal Clinical Question in PICO(T) Format Brainstorm: What question(s) are you asking about your topic? Brainstorm: What causes you to ask the question(s) your triggers? PICO Question: P = population ___________________________________________________________________ I = intervention ___________________________________________________________________ C = comparison __________________________________________________________________ O = outcome _____________________________________________________________________ (T = Time _______________________________________________________________________) Write PICO(T) Question here: (write it in the form of a question) Problem Statement: Who? ___________________________________________________________________________ What? __________________________________________________________________________ Where? _________________________________________________________________________ When? __________________________________________________________________________ How much? ______________________________________________________________________ How do you know? ________________________________________________________________ Write Problem Statement here: (include the word \"problem\" in your statement) SMART Goal / Objective Statement: Specific Population? ______________________________________________________________ What is your Measure? ____________________________________________________________ What do you want to Achieve? ______________________________________________________ What makes your topic Relevant? ___________________________________________________ What is your project Timeline? ______________________________________________________ Write SMART Goal / Objective Statement here: STA 420 - Research Methodologies Following the rubric for the Project Description Proposal Paper, a draft outline will help you start thinking about how you will develop your proposal. See this example. Use outline style sentences. As you write your final draft paper, this may change the content of this outline as your paper develops. Since this is an imaginary research project, this may feel like a creative writing assignment. You may have to make up information, like current measurements or rates. Try to make it as realistic as possible. Project Description Proposal Paper Outline I. Introduction A. General statement about your topic of research. B. General statement about why your research is important. II. Summary of Literature Review (for 3-5 articles) A. General statement from article #1 of relevance to the topic. B. General statement from article #2 of relevance to the topic. C. General statement from article #3 of relevance to the topic. D. General statement from article #4 of relevance to the topic, if applicable. E. General statement from article #5 of relevance to the topic, if applicable. III. Clinical Question, Problem Statement and Significance A. Clinical Question (posed in \"PICO\" format) or Problem Statement B. General statement about why your research is significant to the current body of knowledge. IV. Goal(s) and Objective Statement A. Objective Statement (posed in \"SMART\" format) B. 1 or 2 goals of your proposed research project - What are you trying to accomplish by studying this topic? V. Methods and Procedures A. General Statement about Research Design B. General Statement about Relevant Theory C. General Statement about Hypothesis D. General Statement about Data Sources E. General Statement about Sampling Strategy F. General Statement about Data Collection Method G. General Statement about how you will analyze the data H. General Statement about how you would prove validity. VI. Budget Proposal A. General Statement about what expenses you will have. B. General Statement about how much funding you are looking for. VII. Evaluation and Dissemination A. General Statement about how you will demonstrate assessment and analysis of project progression. B. General Statement about how you will communicate progress and results of the project. VIII. Reference List for included 3 - 5 articles, in APA format. EXAMPLE OUTLINE: I. Introduction A. Phrase about your topic of research. Bronchiolitis is inflammation of the bronchioles, usually caused by a virus. It is a common condition occurring in children during the winter months. B. Phrase about why your research is important. The prevalence of hospitalization related to bronchiolitis in the local area seems to be higher when compared to other regions of the country. II. Summary of Literature Review (for 3-5 articles) A. Phrase from article #1 of relevance to the topic. An assessment screening helps identify early onset of bronchiolitis. B. Phrase from article #2 of relevance to the topic. Nebulizers are prescribed excessively and not always helpful in reducing symptoms. C. Phrase from article #3 of relevance to the topic. An assessment screen helps identify when to use inhalers and nebulizers to reduce the incidence of exacerbation of the illness. D. Phrase from article #4 of relevance to the topic, if applicable. E. Phrase from article #5 of relevance to the topic, if applicable. III. Clinical Question, Problem Statement and Significance A. Clinical Question (posed in \"PICO\" format) or Problem Statement - using the posted worksheet How often should we give respiratory treatments to children ages 2-18 with Bronchiolitis, to keep them out of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), in comparison to children previously admitted to the PICU during flu season 2011-2012? B. Phrase about why your research is significant to the current body of knowledge. There are evidence-based interventions to minimize exacerbation of the illness and reduce hospital length of stay. IV. Goal(s) and Objective Statement A. Objective Statement (posed in \"SMART\" format) - using the posted worksheet Reduce the PICU transfer rate from 62% to 30% by the end of flu season 2012-2013, through the appropriate frequency of respiratory treatments for children ages 2-18 with bronchiolitis, admitted to the pediatric unit with unstable respiratory status. B. 1 or 2 goals of your proposed research project - What are you trying to accomplish by studying this topic? Reduce unnecessary nebulizer treatments and reduce the number of children who need to transfer to PICU, related to exacerbation of illness. V. Methods and Procedures A. Phrase about Research Design The research design for this proposal will include replication of previous research to look at causalcomparative relationships. B. Phrase about Relevant Theory This research is based on theory about use of nebulizers to treat respiratory symptoms. C. Phrase about Hypothesis The null hypothesis is there will not be improvement in pediatric use of nebulizers and critical care days of bronchiolitis. The alternative hypothesis is there will be a reduction of pediatric use of nebulizers and critical care days resulting from the intervention tested. D. Phrase about Data Sources Data sources will include the number of nebulizer treatments given to the patients, mean costs to treat patients by department, and percent of patients admitted into PICU. E. Phrase about Sampling Strategy All pediatric patients diagnosed with bronchiolitis will be included in the study. F. Phrase about Data Collection Method Data collection methods will include chart and billing reviews. G. Phrase about how you will analyze the data Descriptive data collected will be analyzed by mathematical analysis and proportions testing. H. Phrase about how you would prove validity. The measures used in this research will be addressed by content validity. VI. Budget Proposal A. Phrase about what expenses you will have. Expenses will include researcher time, computer supplies track and analyze the data, and offices supplies needed to implement the experimental bronchiolitis care protocol. B. Phrase about how much funding you are looking for. This research project will cost about $150,000 to fund. VII. Evaluation and Dissemination A. Phrase about how you will demonstrate assessment and analysis of project progression. The research will take place from November to March. The retrospective chart and billing review will be completed by the end of December. Current patient chart reviews will be completed at patient discharge. Billing review will be completed at the end of the month. All data collected will be complete and analyzed by May. Sample size and average length of stay in PICU will be shared at the end of each month. B. Phrase about how you will communicate progress and results of the project. The research results will be shared with the pediatric physician and nursing groups in the community. Consider possible publication in pediatric healthcare journals or as an abstract, poster presentation or podium presentation at the upcoming national pediatric physician and nursing conferences. VIII. Reference List for included 3 - 5 articles. Using APA format, list the 3-5 healthcare journal articles used for the literature review