Research Proposals in Healthcare Studies

Writing a Research Proposal - SoHP503

• A research proposal outlines central issues/questions, the general area of study, current knowledge, and the originality of the proposed research.
• This session covers: the overall proposal, section by section, academic writing reminders, top tips, session code, and recording details.
• The proposal should include: a clear topic definition, including background, what is known and unknown, rationale for the study, and clear research questions, objectives, and aims..
• Proposals should be feasible, rigorous, and ethical.

What is a Research Proposal?

• Research proposals are essential for demonstrating knowledge and justifying a study's value.
• The key parts of a research proposal include: why the research is needed, a detailed topic outlining background, needs, and specifics of the study, and a clear plan for the research.

The Introduction/Background (Topic)

• Establish the context for the study.
• Include a big picture overview.
• Describe existing evidence and knowledge gaps.
• Explain the significance/need for the study.
• Clearly articulate the research question, aims, and objectives.

Topic - Tips

• Present research like a story, connecting previous research to your project.
• Critically evaluate existing literature to understand agreements, disagreements, and approaches.
• Combine the literature review with a project "route map".
• Use a clear structure to guide readers through the proposal.

Activity: Using Literature Effectively

• Review provided passages to identify elements like citations, comparisons, contrasts, critiques, and connections.

Example One and Two

• Provide examples of seminal studies in nurse-led care (e.g., Greenhalgh 1994, Lattimer et al. 2000, Vine 2005), highlighting key aspects of their methodology and conclusions.

Define the Specifics (Research Question, Aims, Objectives)

• Develop a clear, answerable research question often related to a hypothesis.
• Establish a broad aim outlining the study's purpose.
• Detail measurable objectives guiding the study's outcomes.

Specifics - Aims and Objectives - Don'ts

• Avoid multiple, overly broad aims.
• Keep aims and objectives concise and focused.
• Ensure aims and objectives logically build on each other.

Methods Section

• 3a. Methodology: Outline the overarching strategy and approach of the research.
• 3b. Methods: Describe the methods (including details like data collection, participants, sampling, timeframe, and data analysis). Provide specifics of how and why choices were made.
• The methods should reflect the study's aims, objectives, and research questions.

Methods Section - Tips

• Methodology and methods should align.
• Demonstrate a thorough understanding of choices and justify them appropriately.
• Provide a concise summary sentence introducing the methodology and methods.

Introducing Methodology and Methods

• Begin with a brief summary covering both the methodology and methods.
• Employ examples of clear overview sentences. (e.g., participant focus groups, pre-post design with intervention, a qualitative synthesis).
• Develop explanations demonstrating understanding of the chosen methodology.
• Show awareness of alternative approaches.

One Example of a Justification

• Provide a sample justification for methodology choice showcasing reasoning. (e.g., choosing focus groups over surveys due to higher potential for in-depth discussion).

Method Sections - Tips

• Carefully describe the process of collecting and analyzing data.
• Follow the same logical method of presentation across the whole proposal.
• Establish detailed methods suitable for replicability by other researchers.

Methods: When/Where

• Detail a precise project schedule/plan, stating when and where data will be collected, including how data is being collected, how long data collection will take, and who will be doing data collection.

Example Plan

• Outline a typical research study process plan, including screening, eligibility checks, assessment visits, consent, procedures, data collection, etc. (using flow chart).

Your Project Plan-Tips

• A concise plan is vital but critical details should be included. (e.g., the rationale for the chosen method) . Explicitly address the various pros and cons.
• Sample scenarios (e.g., same versus random ordering for multiple tests, different focus groups time-frames).

Methods: Top tips

• Keep the methods section concise and focused on the aims.
• Make sure the rationale for choices reflects the research question.
• Describe and justify your choices.
• Use a critical friend to check accuracy and completeness.

Demonstrate Rigor and Feasibility (Ethics Section)

• The methods should demonstrate trust/confidence in the research outputs.
• The research should be thoroughly conducted and the findings should cover all of the aims.
• The study should display consideration of potential issues involving the timeframe, researcher, budget, recruitment, and resources.

Ethical Considerations & Data Protection

• Ethical aspects are crucial and need a complete draft of the ethics submission.

Anticipated Findings and Their Relevance

• Provide realistic anticipated findings that show impactful contributions to the stated aims.
• Link anticipated findings to the identified gaps from the literature review.
• Tie research to the overall purpose of the study.

Don't Forget Your Appendices...

• Include important supplementary materials such as Gantt charts, information sheets, consent forms, and other pertinent documents. Refer to the Module handbook for complete guidance.

Summary

• A well-structured proposal can significantly benefit the research.
• A systematic approach is crucial. Ask any questions if unsure about elements of the proposal.

Academic Writing (for proposals)

• Avoid verbose language and favor concise, informative writing.
• Use a thesaurus wisely to elevate language.
• Use acronyms and abbreviations fully at first mention; then use short-hand.
• Adhere to the formatting and style guidelines in the Module Handbook.

Don't get caught out! UoP plagiarism forms

• Avoid direct copying of text or paraphrasing without proper citation.
• Acknowledge all sources accurately (e.g., use quotation marks for direct quotes).
• Provide references for all material used in the proposal.

Use of AI

• Be selective and responsible and adhere to relevant academic and ethical standards. (Link to ethical guidelines if available).

Referencing

• Use Cite Them Right Harvard referencing system.
• Employ appropriate citation methods for different forms of literature (e.g., journal articles, books, webpages).
• Use DOI if available; otherwise use the URL. Always provide the full information.