Show that you understand the current state of research on your topic.
The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.
One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.
Download our research proposal template
Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.
Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:
The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.
Your introduction should:
To guide your introduction , include information about:
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As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.
In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:
Following the literature review, restate your main objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.
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To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.
For example, your results might have implications for:
Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .
Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.
Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.
Download our research schedule template
Research phase | Objectives | Deadline |
---|---|---|
1. Background research and literature review | 20th January | |
2. Research design planning | and data analysis methods | 13th February |
3. Data collection and preparation | with selected participants and code interviews | 24th March |
4. Data analysis | of interview transcripts | 22nd April |
5. Writing | 17th June | |
6. Revision | final work | 28th July |
If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.
Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:
To determine your budget, think about:
If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.
Methodology
Statistics
Research bias
Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .
Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.
I will compare …
A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.
Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.
A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.
A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.
A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.
All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.
Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.
Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.
The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.
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McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, November 21). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved August 24, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/
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A proposal paper sets out your reasoning for the study, justifies the research and explains your intended methods. Dissertations and other graduate-level research often require proposals, or you may create one to apply for grant money. An abstract summarizes the information in the proposal. An effective abstract can make the difference between a positive or negative response to the proposal.
A strong abstract touches on all the sections in the proposal, including the introduction, where you should give some information about the issue and why you chose it. While you do not want to go into detail about the problem, you need to state what issue your project will address, such as the high dropout rate for sophomores at a college. If you find you cannot focus your abstract on a single problem, your research may be too broad.
A proposal identifies a reason for the project, so the abstract also needs to establish how this project fulfills a need. You may indicate how your plan differs from previous research or fills a void in past research while summarizing information included in the literature review portion of your paper. Include a brief explanation of the project's objectives, the research or other material you will rely on in the paper and in your proposed thesis.
The abstract should include some general information about the procedures for your project. Explain if you will use qualitative, quantitative or mixed measures and why. What type of sample and procedures will you use to obtain your data? Add a sentence at the end of the abstract to indicate the conclusion you expect to draw from the project and the implications of the results, which will create a sense of closure for the document. Remember, the abstract is a summary of material in the paper, so only include information in the abstract that will also appear in the actual paper.
First person point of view -- "I" and "my" -- are usually acceptable in APA proposals, but you should double check your field's style guide. After finishing a draft, revise your abstract to create concise language, keeping the abstract to a maximum of 250 words. Find examples of acceptable abstracts from your field and institution to use as models. If you write the abstract before finishing the proposal, review it once you have completed the paper to make sure the abstract summarizes the ideas you have presented. Insert a page break after the title page and place the abstract there, including the running head and page number in the header.
Kristie Sweet has been writing professionally since 1982, most recently publishing for various websites on topics like health and wellness, and education. She holds a Master of Arts in English from the University of Northern Colorado.
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Department of Anaesthesiology, Bangalore Medical College and Research Institute, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Writing the proposal of a research work in the present era is a challenging task due to the constantly evolving trends in the qualitative research design and the need to incorporate medical advances into the methodology. The proposal is a detailed plan or ‘blueprint’ for the intended study, and once it is completed, the research project should flow smoothly. Even today, many of the proposals at post-graduate evaluation committees and application proposals for funding are substandard. A search was conducted with keywords such as research proposal, writing proposal and qualitative using search engines, namely, PubMed and Google Scholar, and an attempt has been made to provide broad guidelines for writing a scientifically appropriate research proposal.
A clean, well-thought-out proposal forms the backbone for the research itself and hence becomes the most important step in the process of conduct of research.[ 1 ] The objective of preparing a research proposal would be to obtain approvals from various committees including ethics committee [details under ‘Research methodology II’ section [ Table 1 ] in this issue of IJA) and to request for grants. However, there are very few universally accepted guidelines for preparation of a good quality research proposal. A search was performed with keywords such as research proposal, funding, qualitative and writing proposals using search engines, namely, PubMed, Google Scholar and Scopus.
Five ‘C’s while writing a literature review
A proposal needs to show how your work fits into what is already known about the topic and what new paradigm will it add to the literature, while specifying the question that the research will answer, establishing its significance, and the implications of the answer.[ 2 ] The proposal must be capable of convincing the evaluation committee about the credibility, achievability, practicality and reproducibility (repeatability) of the research design.[ 3 ] Four categories of audience with different expectations may be present in the evaluation committees, namely academic colleagues, policy-makers, practitioners and lay audiences who evaluate the research proposal. Tips for preparation of a good research proposal include; ‘be practical, be persuasive, make broader links, aim for crystal clarity and plan before you write’. A researcher must be balanced, with a realistic understanding of what can be achieved. Being persuasive implies that researcher must be able to convince other researchers, research funding agencies, educational institutions and supervisors that the research is worth getting approval. The aim of the researcher should be clearly stated in simple language that describes the research in a way that non-specialists can comprehend, without use of jargons. The proposal must not only demonstrate that it is based on an intelligent understanding of the existing literature but also show that the writer has thought about the time needed to conduct each stage of the research.[ 4 , 5 ]
The contents or formats of a research proposal vary depending on the requirements of evaluation committee and are generally provided by the evaluation committee or the institution.
In general, a cover page should contain the (i) title of the proposal, (ii) name and affiliation of the researcher (principal investigator) and co-investigators, (iii) institutional affiliation (degree of the investigator and the name of institution where the study will be performed), details of contact such as phone numbers, E-mail id's and lines for signatures of investigators.
The main contents of the proposal may be presented under the following headings: (i) introduction, (ii) review of literature, (iii) aims and objectives, (iv) research design and methods, (v) ethical considerations, (vi) budget, (vii) appendices and (viii) citations.[ 4 ]
It is also sometimes termed as ‘need for study’ or ‘abstract’. Introduction is an initial pitch of an idea; it sets the scene and puts the research in context.[ 6 ] The introduction should be designed to create interest in the reader about the topic and proposal. It should convey to the reader, what you want to do, what necessitates the study and your passion for the topic.[ 7 ] Some questions that can be used to assess the significance of the study are: (i) Who has an interest in the domain of inquiry? (ii) What do we already know about the topic? (iii) What has not been answered adequately in previous research and practice? (iv) How will this research add to knowledge, practice and policy in this area? Some of the evaluation committees, expect the last two questions, elaborated under a separate heading of ‘background and significance’.[ 8 ] Introduction should also contain the hypothesis behind the research design. If hypothesis cannot be constructed, the line of inquiry to be used in the research must be indicated.
It refers to all sources of scientific evidence pertaining to the topic in interest. In the present era of digitalisation and easy accessibility, there is an enormous amount of relevant data available, making it a challenge for the researcher to include all of it in his/her review.[ 9 ] It is crucial to structure this section intelligently so that the reader can grasp the argument related to your study in relation to that of other researchers, while still demonstrating to your readers that your work is original and innovative. It is preferable to summarise each article in a paragraph, highlighting the details pertinent to the topic of interest. The progression of review can move from the more general to the more focused studies, or a historical progression can be used to develop the story, without making it exhaustive.[ 1 ] Literature should include supporting data, disagreements and controversies. Five ‘C's may be kept in mind while writing a literature review[ 10 ] [ Table 1 ].
The research purpose (or goal or aim) gives a broad indication of what the researcher wishes to achieve in the research. The hypothesis to be tested can be the aim of the study. The objectives related to parameters or tools used to achieve the aim are generally categorised as primary and secondary objectives.
The objective here is to convince the reader that the overall research design and methods of analysis will correctly address the research problem and to impress upon the reader that the methodology/sources chosen are appropriate for the specific topic. It should be unmistakably tied to the specific aims of your study.
In this section, the methods and sources used to conduct the research must be discussed, including specific references to sites, databases, key texts or authors that will be indispensable to the project. There should be specific mention about the methodological approaches to be undertaken to gather information, about the techniques to be used to analyse it and about the tests of external validity to which researcher is committed.[ 10 , 11 ]
The components of this section include the following:[ 4 ]
Population refers to all the elements (individuals, objects or substances) that meet certain criteria for inclusion in a given universe,[ 12 ] and sample refers to subset of population which meets the inclusion criteria for enrolment into the study. The inclusion and exclusion criteria should be clearly defined. The details pertaining to sample size are discussed in the article “Sample size calculation: Basic priniciples” published in this issue of IJA.
The researcher is expected to give a detailed account of the methodology adopted for collection of data, which include the time frame required for the research. The methodology should be tested for its validity and ensure that, in pursuit of achieving the results, the participant's life is not jeopardised. The author should anticipate and acknowledge any potential barrier and pitfall in carrying out the research design and explain plans to address them, thereby avoiding lacunae due to incomplete data collection. If the researcher is planning to acquire data through interviews or questionnaires, copy of the questions used for the same should be attached as an annexure with the proposal.
This addresses the strength of the research with respect to its neutrality, consistency and applicability. Rigor must be reflected throughout the proposal.
It refers to the robustness of a research method against bias. The author should convey the measures taken to avoid bias, viz. blinding and randomisation, in an elaborate way, thus ensuring that the result obtained from the adopted method is purely as chance and not influenced by other confounding variables.
Consistency considers whether the findings will be consistent if the inquiry was replicated with the same participants and in a similar context. This can be achieved by adopting standard and universally accepted methods and scales.
Applicability refers to the degree to which the findings can be applied to different contexts and groups.[ 13 ]
This section deals with the reduction and reconstruction of data and its analysis including sample size calculation. The researcher is expected to explain the steps adopted for coding and sorting the data obtained. Various tests to be used to analyse the data for its robustness, significance should be clearly stated. Author should also mention the names of statistician and suitable software which will be used in due course of data analysis and their contribution to data analysis and sample calculation.[ 9 ]
Medical research introduces special moral and ethical problems that are not usually encountered by other researchers during data collection, and hence, the researcher should take special care in ensuring that ethical standards are met. Ethical considerations refer to the protection of the participants' rights (right to self-determination, right to privacy, right to autonomy and confidentiality, right to fair treatment and right to protection from discomfort and harm), obtaining informed consent and the institutional review process (ethical approval). The researcher needs to provide adequate information on each of these aspects.
Informed consent needs to be obtained from the participants (details discussed in further chapters), as well as the research site and the relevant authorities.
When the researcher prepares a research budget, he/she should predict and cost all aspects of the research and then add an additional allowance for unpredictable disasters, delays and rising costs. All items in the budget should be justified.
Appendices are documents that support the proposal and application. The appendices will be specific for each proposal but documents that are usually required include informed consent form, supporting documents, questionnaires, measurement tools and patient information of the study in layman's language.
As with any scholarly research paper, you must cite the sources you used in composing your proposal. Although the words ‘references and bibliography’ are different, they are used interchangeably. It refers to all references cited in the research proposal.
Successful, qualitative research proposals should communicate the researcher's knowledge of the field and method and convey the emergent nature of the qualitative design. The proposal should follow a discernible logic from the introduction to presentation of the appendices.
Conflicts of interest.
There are no conflicts of interest.
Last Published 8/23/24
Division of Academic Affairs
Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Research and Sponsored Programs
Most funding agencies have specific requirements for a complete proposal. Among other documents that a sponsor may require prior to submission are: letter of intent (LOI); memorandum of understanding (MOU); and pending human subject, animal subject, biosafety or radiation protocols. Many agencies will permit proposals to be submitted with pending compliance protocols, but will require approved protocols prior to issuing the award. Please work with your Research Development Officer to review proposed guidelines and answer any questions.
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Proposal Application
Many agencies require a proposal application with the signature (either ink or electronic) of an authorized institutional representative, Research Development Officer. Most agencies incorporate the cover or title page into their electronic Research Administration (eRA) submission portal. A cover or title page typically includes information about the proposal and the institution along with the authorized institutional representative's signature.
Each funding opportunity stipulates what is required in the project abstract. This is probably the most important part of the proposal, since it provides a first impression for the reviewer. Generally, this is a one-page document that summarizes the proposal. Even if it normally appears first in the proposal package, most grant seekers write it last. The abstract is a concise description of the project covering objectives, need, methodology, dissemination plans and expected outcomes. It may also provide a statement on the intellectual merits of the proposed project and the broader impacts of the proposed activity.
Project Narrative
This section provides a clear description of the general plan of work/activities that will be undertaken. Generally, the PI includes information that answers the following:
References Cited
Each reference must include the names of all authors (in the same sequence in which they appear in the publication), the article and journal title, book title, volume number, page numbers and year of publication. If the document is available electronically, the website address also should be identified. To know more about data management and citation, refer Data Management Planning and Data Citation .
Project Budget
External funding agencies review hundreds of proposals annually and are proficient at comparing levels of funding requested to perform the research work proposed. The budget section of the proposal should reflect, as accurately as possible, the funding needed to carry out the proposed project. The PI should neither overestimate the funds required nor underestimate budgetary needs — either of which may lead to rejection. Additionally, the PI should not provide cost-sharing if it is not required by the funding agency, as it affects the university’s ability to negotiate for a higher indirect cost rate. See develop your budget for more details.
Biographical Sketch of Key Personnel
PI and other key personnel biographical sketches or curriculum vitae may be required by some funding agencies or program announcements. Depending on the sponsor, a biosketch may be a paragraph, or as comprehensive as the PI deems appropriate.
Current and Pending Support Information for Key Personnel
A current and pending support page may be required by some funding agencies or program announcements. The format of information on a PI’s current grants, time commitments or scholarly activities, as well as proposed grant/contract projects varies.
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Most recent content update: July 2, 2024
The following proposal sections, listed in alphabetical order, are commonly required by a variety of funders. For each, we have provided resources to assist in preparing content; some have been developed by RDO, while others are curated from trusted internal and external sources.
The resources below are intended to be a starting point. Solicitations will often specify unique requirements for each of these sections. Always check the requirements from your specific agency and call.
We encourage you to check this page regularly, as additional content will be added over time. Email us at [email protected] if you have suggestions.
These documents provide evidence of an individual's qualifications for the role played in a proposed project and are generally requested in specific formats based on sponsor. For most STEM sponsors, RDO recommends using SciEnCV for generating and saving your biosketch as it will be easier to update and the interface allows reformatting for use in proposals for different sponsors.
Broader Impacts requirements generally ask for the answer to the question "how does your research benefit society?" This term and requirement are commonly associated with NSF, but other agencies can also have similar requirements. The resources below help to describe the breadth of what broader impacts can be as well as give advice on how to develop a vision and craft a compelling story about the broader impacts of your work.
Budgets are an integral part of proposals that have a direct effect on how monies can be used, are tracked, and are audited in the post award period.
Often sponsors require a list of collaborators and other affiliates in a form that allows the agency to ensure that no conflicts exist in the process of selecting reviewers or to check for PI conflict of interest in various areas. These can be in the form of "COA", "Collaborator", "COI" or other documents. Be sure to check and follow your sponsor's guidelines for these documents; many provide their own specific required templates.
Many funding agencies will require a data management plan (DMP) as part of a proposal. The DMP describes the types of data you expect to collect, how they will be managed, and how access and preservation will be accomplished over time.
Sponsors sometimes require demonstration that a project team will make specific efforts to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. These requirements vary by sponsor and it is important to understand the level at which the activities are to take place. For example, does the sponsor want to see activities that are community-focused or targeted to the researchers and staff you will have on the project? In any case, a strong diversity plan also includes evaluation strategies and metrics for success.
Often addressed in multiple sections of a proposal, evaluation plans are an important component of understanding whether a project or strategy is effective and successful. Developing robust evaluation plans at the proposal stage can demonstrate to the reviewers and funders that you have thought about what "success" means and how you will be certain you will achieve it or adjust practices to course correct along the way. These are commonly requested for educational activities, outreach plans, workforce development strategies, and management plans.
Funding agencies may request that cost sharing, details on facilities, equipment, and other resources available to the proposal team, and other forms of institutional support be included with proposals. The scope and format of these requirements will depend on the specific funding opportunity or call. RDO recommends starting early in your proposal development process and working in collaboration with department or school leadership to identify and request appropriate institutional support for your proposal.
Management plans are common elements of large collaborative or center grants. This section is intended to demonstrate to reviewers how teams will work together to accomplish the various goals of a project. Some plans also require detailed administrative information as well as plans for evaluation of project activities (see section on Evaluation Plans above).
Postdoctoral mentoring plans (PMPs) are often required in STEM-focused proposals where a postdoctoral researcher's involvement is indicated. These serve as roadmaps for both mentor and mentee to navigate the key aspects of mentorship and professional development of postdocs. It's best to avoid using a boilerplate approach and instead tailor the Plan to the specific program you are proposing, institution you are with, and/or postdoc(s) to be mentored.
Sponsors sometimes request information on protocols and plans related to safety in various context including in the laboratory, at field sites, or any off-campus work environment. The university has policies and procedures related to these topics which can be found in addition to other resources linked below.
Created: 10/06/22
Updated: 08/22/24
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Record ID: 291
Award(s): Excellence in Research Communication
Program Affiliation: NA
Presentation Type: Poster
Abstract: Methamphetamine usage in the United States has surged over the past few decades alongside a steady increase in cases of drug-induced psychosis. According to the Center for Disease Control, the number of people reporting past-year use of methamphetamine has increased from 684,000 individuals in 2016 to 1,048,000 in 2019. Few resources currently exist for those struggling with stimulant addiction, and individuals who present to hospitals and emergency departments with drugrelated psychotic episodes frequently slip through the cracks, unable to receive effective care for their addiction or mental health concerns. Methamphetamine use in particular is associated with a high risk of developing drug-induced psychosis, a condition that occurs in up to 40% of users and can recur with repeated usage. With Americans seeing unprecedented rates of methamphetamine usage, it is urgent to find solutions to mitigate these interlinked public health crises. Mental health issues and addiction often fuel each other, making recovery from one extremely difficult without treating the other. This project 22 University of Cincinnati will provide the model for a research-based treatment program designed to identify and treat those experiencing psychosis triggered by substance use. The proposed program uses methods that have been successful in treating mental illness and addiction as coexisting issues, reducing substance usage, readmission rates, and cost burden to the healthcare system. By identifying patients who are presenting with drug-related psychotic symptoms in the emergency setting, those who are at risk for recurring episodes can be referred to a team of professionals to help treat addiction and mental illness simultaneously.
Abigail gajus.
Major: Neuroscience
Policy history conference 2025.
The Institute for Political History, the Journal of Policy History and the Arizona State University Center for American Institutions are hosting the Policy History Conference in Charlotte, North Carolina at the Hilton Charlotte Uptown hotel from Wednesday, June 4 to Saturday, June 7, 2025.
Since 2002, the Policy History Conference has provided an interdisciplinary forum for presentations and roundtable discussions on policy history topics and recent policy history research. The conferences bring together academy scholars, independent scholars and graduate students to share their research. Many of the papers presented eventually appear in academic journals and other publications.
We are currently accepting panel and paper proposals on all topics regarding American political and policy history, political development, and comparative historical analysis. Complete sessions, including two or three presenters with chair/commentator(s), and individual paper proposals are welcome. Participants may only appear once as a presenter in the program.
The deadline for submission is December 31, 2024.
Proposals for panels and papers must be submitted online at the links below, and must include the following:
2. Institutional Affiliation(s)
3. Status (i.e. ABD, Doctoral Student, Assistant/Associate/Full Professor)
4. Email address(es)
5. Mailing Address(es)
6. Panel and paper title(s)
7. One (1) 150 word abstract of panel and papers in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
8. A description of each presenter or panel participant including educational background, major publications, awards or fellowships, also in Microsoft Word or PDF format.
Submit paper proposals here
Submit panel proposals here
For immediate release | August 19, 2024
ALA Opens 2025 Annual Conference & Exhibition Call for Proposals
CHICAGO — ALA invites education program and poster proposals for the 2025 Annual Conference & Exhibition, taking place June 26 – July 1, 2025, in Philadelphia. The ALA Annual Conference explores critical issues impacting libraries and their communities, with diverse professional development on timely research, innovative programs, strategic initiatives and best practices. The submission sites are open now through September 23, 2024.
Education program proposals and poster proposals have the same key dates, noted below, but separate submission sites, submission guides and rubrics.
Education program proposals: Consult the Education Program Proposal Submission Guide for programmatic priorities and step-by-step instructions on submitting a program proposal and the Education Program Proposal Rubric for evaluation criteria and scoring. View the education program proposal submission video for a walkthrough of the program submission site and process.
Education programs are 60 minutes in length, which may include 10-15 minutes of Q & A. There are nine proposal juries to choose from when submitting a proposal: one of ALA’s eight Divisions or the ALA jury (which includes representation from Round Tables, Offices, and Affiliates).
Poster proposals: Consult the Poster Proposal Submission Guide for details on the poster categories and step-by-step instructions on submitting a poster proposal and the Poster Proposal Rubric for evaluation criteria and scoring. View the poster proposal submission video for a walkthrough of the poster submission site and process.
Poster sessions include six poster categories, and poster presenters share their posters as part of a 90-minute session.
Both submission sites will close on Monday, September 23 at 11:59 PM Eastern. ALA is unable to accept late proposals.
For more information, please visit the ALA Annual 2025 website .
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Featured News
August 19, 2024
CHICAGO — ALA invites education program and poster proposals for the 2025 Annual Conference & Exhibition, taking place June 26 – July 1, 2025, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The ALA Annual Conference explores critical issues impacting libraries and their communities, with diverse professional development on timely research, innovative programs, strategic initiatives and best practices. The submission sites are open now through September 23, 2024.
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July 25, 2024
Sam Helmick chosen 2024-2025 American Library Association president-elect
The American Library Association Council decided on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, that Sam Helmick will be the 2024-2025 president-elect effective immediately.
July 9, 2024
New Public Library Technology Survey report details digital equity roles
Nearly half of libraries now lend internet hotspots; 95% offer digital literacy training CHICAGO — The Public Library Association (PLA) today published the 2023 Public Library Technology Survey report. The national survey updates emerging trends around...
July 2, 2024
Hohl inaugurated 2024-2025 ALA president
Cindy Hohl, director of policy analysis and operational support at Kansas City (Mo.) Public Library, was inaugurated ALA President for 2024-2025 on Tuesday, July 2, at the ALA Annual Conference in San Diego.
May 7, 2024
ALA partners with League of Women Voters to empower voters in 2024
The American Library Association and League of Women Voters today announced a new partnership to educate and empower voters in 2024.
April 17, 2024
The TRANSFORMERS Are Ready to Roll Out for Library Card Sign-Up Month
The American Library Association (ALA) is teaming up with Skybound Entertainment and Hasbro to encourage people to roll out to their libraries with the TRANSFORMERS franchise, featuring Optimus Prime, as part of Library Card Sign-Up Month in September.
April 10, 2024
American Library Association Launches Reader. Voter. Ready. Campaign to Equip Libraries for 2024 Elections
Today the American Library Association (ALA) kicks off its Reader. Voter. Ready. campaign, calling on advocates to sign a pledge to be registered, informed, and ready to vote in all local, state and federal elections in 2024.
April 8, 2024
ALA kicks off National Library Week revealing the annual list of Top 10 Most Challenged Books and the State of America’s Libraries Report
The American Library Association (ALA) launched National Library Week with today’s release of its highly anticipated annual list of the Top 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023 and the State of America’s Libraries Report, which highlights the ways libraries...
Pun wins 2025-2026 ALA presidency
Raymond Pun, Academic and Research Librarian at the Alder Graduate School of Education in California has been elected 2024-2025 president-elect of the American Library Association (ALA).
Background Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is an intractable and multi-factorial neurodegenerative disorder. Given the globally rapid increase in obesity and its role in AD pathogenesis, understanding the impact of body weight, its changes, and the role of physical activity on AD development can provide important guidance for preventative strategies.
Methods This population-based retrospective cohort study analyzed data from Korean national health and disability databases, including 3,741,424 individuals aged 30 to 80 years at baseline, who underwent health assessments between 2003 and 2006, followed by biennial check-ups over a decade. Exposures included BMI categories (underweight, normal, overweight, obese) and body weight changes (stable, acute increase, steady increase, weight cycling, acute decrease, steady decrease). Regular physical activity was defined as consistent weekly exercise over ten years. The primary outcome was AD incidence, identified by ICD-10 codes F00 or G30. Hazard ratios (HRs) were calculated using Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for multiple risk factors.
Results Baseline BMI was not significantly associated with AD incidence after adjusting for confounders, except for underweight (adjusted HR [aHR], 1.10, 95% CI, 1.05-1.15). Weight changes were significantly linked to increased AD risk, particularly weight cycling (aHR, 1.37, 95% CI, 1.35-1.40), acute decrease (aHR, 1.78, 95% CI, 1.55-2.03), and steady decrease (aHR, 1.33, 95% CI, 1.30-1.35). Regular physical activity mitigated these risks, nullifying statistical significance.
Conclusion Weight changes are significant risk factors for AD, and regular physical activity mitigates these risks. Public health strategies should focus on maintaining stable weight and promoting consistent physical activity.
What is already known on this topic Previous studies assessing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) in relation to body weight or body mass index (BMI) have shown inconsistent results, probably due to short periods of follow-up, limited assessment of AD risk factors, and lack of washout periods to exclude the potential reverse causation between weight changes and AD development.
What this study adds In an 18-year cohort study with 3741424 adults in Korea, weight changes significantly impacted the risk of AD, while baseline BMI did not. Both increases and decreases in weight, as well as weight cycling, increased the risk of AD after controlling for AD risk factors. Regular physical activity, defined as at least one exercise per week over the 10-year period, mitigated these risks.
How this study might affect research, practice or policy These findings suggest that maintaining stable body weight and engaging in regular physical activity may be crucial in reducing the risk of AD, emphasizing the need for public health strategies focusing on weight stability and consistent exercise rather than simple correction of body weight.
The authors have declared no competing interest.
This study was supported by grants from National Research Foundation (RS-2023-00220894), the Korea Dementia Research Project through the Korea Dementia Research Center (KDRC) funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare and Ministry of Science and ICT (RS-2024-00344521), and Korea University (K2123751, K2125871), Republic of Korea.
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The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of the Korea University (KUIRB-2021-0328-01).
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In this guide, you'll learn how to write an abstract for any research proposal. We'll look at why an abstract is important, the types of abstracts, writing style, and what to avoid when it comes to writing an abstract for your research proposal.
An abstract is a short summary of a longer work (such as a thesis , dissertation or research paper ). The abstract concisely reports the aims and outcomes of your research, so that readers know exactly what your paper is about.
The Contents of an Abstract Abstracts contain most of the following kinds of information in brief form. The body of your paper will, of course, develop and explain these ideas much more fully. As you will see in the samples below, the proportion of your abstract that you devote to each kind of information—and the sequence of that information—will vary, depending on the nature and genre of ...
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Learn how to write an abstract in research with this comprehensive guide. Get to know how to present the background, objectives, methods, results, and conclusions of your study to provide a concise and informative summary, with examples.
Writing an Abstract for an Article, Proposal or Report What is an abstract? An abstract is a condensed version of a longer piece of writing that highlights the major points covered, concisely describes the content and scope of the writing, and reviews the writing's contents in abbreviated form.
If you're writing a research proposal, it's likely that you'll be asked to include an abstract. An abstract, in essence, is a summary of your proposal. It should convey the main objectives, methods, and results of your research, as well as its significance and potential implications. In this article, we'll guide you through the process of writing an effective abstract for your research ...
Follow these five steps to format your abstract in APA Style: Insert a running head (for a professional paper—not needed for a student paper) and page number. Set page margins to 1 inch (2.54 cm). Write "Abstract" (bold and centered) at the top of the page. Place the contents of your abstract on the next line.
Definition An abstract summarizes, usually in one paragraph of 300 words or less, the major aspects of the entire paper in a prescribed sequence that includes: 1) the overall purpose of the study and the research problem (s) you investigated; 2) the basic design of the study; 3) major findings or trends found as a result of your analysis; and, 4) a brief summary of your interpretations and ...
In this article, I present step-by-step guidelines for writing an abstract for an academic paper. These guidelines are followed by an example of a full abstract that follows these guidelines and a few fill-in-the-blank templates that you can use to write your own abstract.
Abstracts are important parts of reports and research papers and sometimes academic assignments. The abstract is often the last item that you write, but the first thing people read when they want to have a quick overview of the whole paper. We suggest you leave writing the abstract to the end, because you will have a clearer picture of all your findings and conclusions.
Abstracts are an essential requirement for research papers. It allow readers to scan the text to determine whether it is relevant to their research or studies. A good abstract paves the interest of the audience to pore through your entire paper to find the content or context they're searching for.
How to Write an Abstract for a Conference What is an abstract and why is it important? An abstract is a brief summary of your research or creative project, usually about a paragraph long (250-350 words), and is written when you are ready to present your research or included in a thesis or research publication.
The contents of an abstract heavily rely on the type of study, research design, and subject area. An abstract may contain a succinct background statement highlighting the research's significance, a problem statement, the methodologies used, a synopsis of the results, and the conclusions drawn.
How To Write a Research Proposal. Writing a Research proposal involves several steps to ensure a well-structured and comprehensive document. Here is an explanation of each step: 1. Title and Abstract. Choose a concise and descriptive title that reflects the essence of your research. Write an abstract summarizing your research question ...
If you are writing an abstract as a proposal for your research—in other words, as a request for permission to write a paper—the abstract serves to predict the kind of paper you hope to write.
A qualitative research proposal abstract is a brief summary of your planned research project. It's usually around 150-300 words long (though this can vary depending on requirements) and gives readers a clear idea of what your research is about without them having to read the entire proposal. Think of it as an elevator pitch for your research.
Research Paper Abstract Research Paper Abstract is a brief summary of a research pape r that describes the study's purpose, methods, findings, and conclusions. It is often the first section of the paper that readers encounter, and its purpose is to provide a concise and accurate overview of the paper's content.
A research proposal aims to show why your project is worthwhile. It should explain the context, objectives, and methods of your research.
How to Write an Abstract A well thought out abstract determines whether your paper will be accepted for a conference presentation, or your publication selected for further reading. An abstract summarises, in one paragraph (usually 200-300 words) that is either unstructured or structured (with sub-headings), the main aspects of an entire research paper/thesis. The best approach is to plan your ...
This article addresses the difficulty in writing an abstract, including those mentioned above, and imparts knowledge on how to write an abstract for a research paper. We have segmented the article into different sections, including the components and style of an abstract, for a step-by-step process. This guide aims to walk the reader through the process of making a cohesive and effective ...
A proposal paper sets out your reasoning for the study, justifies the research and explains your intended methods. Dissertations and other graduate-level research often require proposals, or you may create one to apply for grant money. An abstract summarizes the information in the proposal. An effective abstract can make the difference between a positive or negative response to the proposal.
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(Most recent content update: July 2, 2024) The following proposal sections, listed in alphabetical order, are commonly required by a variety of funders. For each, we have provided resources to assist in preparing content; some have been developed by RDO, while others are curated from trusted internal and external sources.
Record ID: 291 Award(s): Excellence in Research Communication Program Affiliation: NA Presentation Type: Poster Abstract: Methamphetamine usage in the United States has surged over the past few decades alongside a steady increase in cases of drug-induced psychosis. According to the Center for Disease Control, the number of people reporting past-year use of methamphetamine has increased from ...
7. One (1) 150 word abstract of panel and papers in Microsoft Word or PDF format. 8. A description of each presenter or panel participant including educational background, major publications, awards or fellowships, also in Microsoft Word or PDF format. Submit paper proposals here . Submit panel proposals here
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Abstract. Background Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an intractable and multi-factorial neurodegenerative disorder. Given the globally rapid increase in obesity and its role in AD pathogenesis, understanding the impact of body weight, its changes, and the role of physical activity on AD development can provide important guidance for preventative strategies.