20.109(F21):Develop Research proposal ideas and draft presentation
Part 1: Draft aims for your Research proposal presentation
In your laboratory notebook, complete the following:
Part 2: Consider the societal implications of your Research proposal
Thus far we have focused on the problem that you are addressing as part of the Research proposal presentation; however, another important aspect of this assignment is defining the societal impacts of your proposed work. In recent years, funding agencies have placed increased emphasis on societal impact when reviewing grant applications and the public has been more critical of the use of government funds toward research that does not benefit the population. This sentiment is expressed in a recently published editorial:
"...research funding agencies will no longer be satisfied with claims that our research has impact merely because we use it in training of our students, because it is well-cited by other academics, or because it is published in reputable journals...it seems reasonable that at least some discernible societal value should emerge from research." (Davison and Bjorn-Anderson. Info Systems J. 2019;29:989-993)
Read and discuss the following perspective with your co-investigator:
Frodeman and Holbrook. "Science's social effects." Issues in Science and Technology. Vol. XXIII, No. 3, Spring 2007.
Questions to guide your discussion:
- What are the societal implications of your proposed research?
- Which populations benefit from your research? Is it possible any populations will be negatively impacted by your research?
- Will cost limitations impede / bias which populations are benefited?
- Is your research applicable to all populations?
- What are the ethical implications of your proposed research?
In your laboratory notebook, complete the following:
- Based on your discussion with your co-investigator, answer the questions above.