Conceptual

Identify the problem & determine the purpose of the study

Review the literature

Choose or develop a theoretical/conceptual framework

Define study variables/terms

Identify the study assumptions

Acknowledge the limitations of the study

Formulate the hypothesis or research question

Design

Select the research design

Identify the population, select the sample, sampling method, & determine sample size

Identify methods to measure variables & data collection methods

Obtain permission to use instruments or develop instruments, data collection forms, and consent forms/letters

Obtain physician permission to recruit patients &.or institutional and university IRB approvals

Conduct a pilot study and revise

Empirical

Conduct experiment (if experimental design)

Collect the data

Score instruments

Organize data for analysis

Analysis

Enter data into the computer

Analyze the data

Interpret the findings

Dissemination
Communicate the findings
	Publication
	Presentation
Utilize the findings

Chapter one - statement of the problem

Introduction to the problem, brief 1-2 pages in proposal; 1-10 pages in theses or dissertation

Why this problem is important to patient care; significance of the problem

Historical perspective & background of problem

Gaps in research to date

May include one or two non-research citations that state this is a problem

End chapter with statement of the purpose (may use the terms objectives or aims) of the study and the research questions or hypotheses for the study

Chapter II - Review of literature & theoretical framework
Review of the literature & theoretical framework- 7 to 12 pages in proposal; 10 to 25 or more in theses or dissertation
Present an integrated review of research studies; do not write a paragraph summarizing each study
	Integrate content so you write separate paragraphson populations & samples; sampling methods; designs; instruments; data collection methods; data analysis; and findings. Integrate content so you write separate paragraphson populations & samples; sampling methods; designs; instruments; data collection methods; data analysis; and findings.
	Critique the quality of the research that has been done Critique the quality of the research that has been done
			Identify flaws, shortcomings, or gaps in the literature
			E.G., the problem has not been investigated in children, or adults with cancer; need to use a random sample
	Identify research that needs to be done in the future to fill the gaps, or correct the flaws in prior studies
	Identify how the proposed study will fill one of the gaps in the research
Briefly describe the theoretical/conceptual framework for the study
	State what proposition or particular concepts from the framework you are examining in your study
	Tie the proposed study to the framework
Complete this section of the proposal by restating the research questions or hypotheses

Chapter III - Methods
Methods chapter explain how study will be implemented to answer the research questions or test the hypotheses; usually 15 to 20 pages in proposal; additional pages for appendices that include copies of each data collection instrument; letters to tool authors, physicians, etc.; consent forms or consent letters.
Design - experimental, quasi-experimental, descriptive, etc.
Setting
Population & sample
	Sampling frame
	Sampling method
	Sample Size
	Accessibility & recruitment of subjects
Variables & Instruments
	Operational definition of each variable
	Reliability & validity of instruments
	Instrument development & scoring
	Author's permission to use instrument
Ethical considerations
	Physician permission to recruit patients
	Institution & university IRB or HSC approvals
	Consent forms or consent letters
	Assent forms for minors
Data collection methods
	Detailed description of intervention in experimental or quasi-experimental study
	Who, what, where, when & how data will be collected
	Pilot testing of study

Chapter IV - data analysis methods

Description of how data will be analyzed - usually 1-2 pages

Testing the reliability & validity of instruments

Descriptive statistics planned for use

Inferential statistics to test each hypothesis or answer each research question

Abstract

A summary of the proposed study; usually 1 page or less (<300 words)

Purpose

Significance

Research questions or hypothesis

Sample, sampling method, & size of sample

Setting

Design

Data collection methods

Instruments

Ethical considerations

Data analysis

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