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Writing the Prospectus

Writing the Prospectus. Psy985 - March 3, 2010. Deadline Reminders. 5pm , Wednesday, March 31, 2010 Harvard College Research Program summer funding deadline Dean’s Summer Research Award deadline MBB deadline Thesis Application First deadline: Friday, March 12 Prospectus Deadline!

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Writing the Prospectus

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  1. Writing the Prospectus Psy985 - March 3, 2010

  2. Deadline Reminders • 5pm, Wednesday, March 31, 2010 • Harvard College Research Program summer funding deadline • Dean’s Summer Research Award deadline • MBB deadline • Thesis Application • First deadline: Friday, March 12 • Prospectus Deadline! • Wednesday April 21

  3. Thesis Application

  4. Writing the Prospectus • Main Components • Abstract (write this last!) • Introduction • Methods • Data analysis plan (with expected results) • Implications • References

  5. Hourglass Format Introduction (broad) Introduction (narrow) Design Methods Results Implications (narrow) Implications (broad) QALMRI framework can be used to flesh this out a bit more...

  6. QALMRI • Question: both broad specific questions • Broad (example): Does language influence representation of number? • Specific (example): Do people who have “one, two, many” number terms have a harder time representing large numbers compared to people who have full number line? specific broad

  7. QALMRI • Alternatives  Good experiments consider: • at least 2 possible alternative answers to a specific question • explains why both answers are plausible • Alternatives in number example? • Link your review of the literature to the various alternatives • Hint at potential answer – make your own hypotheses clear based on this overview explicit statement of alternatives

  8. QALMRI • Logic  Describe design. How does the experimental design allow you to tease apart the alternatives and get a clear answer? • Explain this toward the end of the introduction, before you jump into the fine details of your methodology • Be clear, but don’t need minute details here • “If....then” language often useful here • Number example? clear explanation of logic

  9. QALMRI • Method  Identify in a detailed manner the procedures you will use to implement the design you discussed in the logic section • Participants (number, age, sampling, other characteristics, etc.) • descriptions of conditions to which subjects are assigned • Materials/Stimuli used: describe clearly • Make sure you are clear about the dependent and independent variables • What is being manipulated? • What is being measured? • How are you measuring it?

  10. Method Examples

  11. QALMRI • Results  You don’t have results yet – but you can discuss: • The statistical analyses you plan to use • Descriptive stats • Inferential stats • The anticipated results that go along with each analysis you discuss • You can use tables and figures here to make your predictions clear to your readers

  12. QALMRI • Inferences (or implications)  First, recap what the theresults of the experiment tell us about the alternatives • Also, consider any potential limitations in the design, and discuss these in some way • What are the specific and broad implications of your study? broad specific

  13. To Sum Up... Introduction • Justification • Review of relevant literature • The “back story” • Connects the dots • Design • Your hypotheses • Question • Alternatives • Logic = • Methods • Results (expected) • Inferences/Implications • References

  14. References • APA format • Make sure all articles cited in text are included • Cull all references not in the text • Don’t forget RefWorks can help • Library session coming up...

  15. Abstract • The last thing you write • Often very short • some journals keep these to 120 words • more flexibility here • Briefly summarize purpose of the study (broad and specific questions) • Then briefly touch on: • Methods • Expected results • Major implication(s)

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