20.109(F15):Cathode construction (Day3)
Part 2: Research proposal review exercise
To help you focus your ideas and develop the details of your project, you will discuss the project description you submitted today with a classmate from another group. As you listen to your classmate's idea, consider the following criteria proposed for small research project grants by the NIH:
Small Research Grant Program: ...small grant supports discrete, well-defined projects that realistically can be completed in two years and that require limited levels of funding. Because the research project usually is limited, the grant application may not contain extensive detail or discussion. Accordingly, reviewers should evaluate the conceptual framework and general approach to the problem. Appropriate justification for the proposed work can be provided through literature citations, data from other sources, or from investigator-generated data. Preliminary data are not required, particularly in application proposing pilot or feasibility studies.
Use the following questions to guide your discussion as you consider both your and your classmate's project. Because you are still in the early stages of developing your research topic, it is okay if you do not have all of the answers to the following questions. This exercise is meant to help you critically think about your proposal...not to point out the additional research you need to complete! Furthermore, this is an informal conversation and you should feel free to look up information during this exercise or just make notes so you know what to research later with your co-investigator.
- Find the partner you were assigned by the teaching faculty and begin by deciding which partner will present first.
- As the presenter, focus on why you believe your topic is important and provide the context needed to convince your listener that it is indeed worth pursuing.
- As the listener, verbally summarize the topic back to the presenter to ensure you understood the proposal. Are you convinced that the topic is important? Why or why not? Discuss this with the presenter.
- Now that you have the needed background information discuss the 'Hows' of the project.
- As the presenter, consider the questions below as you give some details about your proposal.
- As the listener, feel free to ask questions and maybe provide some helpful feedback as the presenter discusses the details of their project.
- What is the novel aspect of your proposal?
- Why do you believe your project is feasible?
- Is there evidence that supports your proposal?
- How will your research advance the field?
- How will you complete your research (what methods might you use)?
- What is the expected result?
- How might you 'double-check' or confirm an expected result?
- What if you do not get the expected result?
- What can be learned if you get the expected result? If you get an unexpected result?
- What are some alternative approaches (methods) for your proposed research?
Once you have completed discussing the presenter's project, switch roles and complete this exercise with the listener's project.
Use the information you gathered during this exercise to drive a discussion with your co-investigator as you further develop your research proposal and prepare the homework assignment due on Day 4.
