Guidelines for Assessing the Research Proposal

Intro to Research / Data Analysis 1 test version for Capsicum annum project

2010-11
p1

Student: ____________________________

Date submitted: _________ Research faculty initials acknowledging date of submission: _______________

Signatures of peer editor ? (Note: no peer editors are required for freshman proposals) 1. Submitted by May 13th 10:30 a.m. deadline........................ ( points = 5) ____ 2. Cover Page ......................................................................... (max points 2) ____
+ 1) Does the cover page include student name, title, date & res faculty names? 2) Is the title an appropriate one for the study that is being proposed? -

3. Introduction: Rationale, Assumptions, Objective(s) ... (max points 10) ____

1) Is the rationale a valid one? (or does it appear to be contrived?) 2) Is cited literature from the Bibliography used to develop the introduction? 3) Are the assumptions (if any) appropriate? 4) Is the objective of the study clearly stated? 5) Are student expectations communicated and in line with the cited literature?

4. Hypothesis: Research Hypothesis & Null Hypothesis .. (max points 6) ____

1) Is the connection between the introduction and the hypothesis appropriate and evident? 2) Are both hypotheses clearly stated? 3) Is the null hypothesis appropriate for the research hypothesis under study?

5. Methodology: Materials / Equipment / Facilities............. (max points 8) ____

1) Is the consumable materials list complete and presented in a detailed, organized fashion? 2) Is the equipment list complete and presented in a detailed, organized fashion? 3) Does the facilities list communicate where all aspects of the experiment will take place? 4) Are the lists presented in table format with one column indicating the source or availability? * Note: Digital camera should be included under equipment in all proposals

6. Timeline .............................................................................. (max points 8) ____

Has the student mapped out reasonable dates for: 1 - acquiring materials / necessary supplies? 2 - conducting the experiment? 3 - completing data collection? 4 - time required for data analysis?

Guidelines for Assessing the Research Proposal

Intro to Research / Data Analysis 1 test version for Capsicum annum project

2010-11
p2

7. Methodology: Experimental Design Diagram ...(max points 10) ____

Does the experimental design diagram: 1- utilize a format that presents the entire diagram on one page? 2- include a title? 3- clearly identify an independent variable? 4- indicate / specify all levels of the independent variable? 5- utilize a bordered table to graphically separate levels of the ind. variable? 6- specify the number of trials to be conducted for each level? 7- identify a control group? (if one will be used) 8- clearly identify a dependent variable? 9- include an operational definition of the dependent variable which clearly states what will be measured? 10- identify constants in the experiment, along with specifications of each?

8. Methodology: Experimental Setup, Graphics, Illustrations (max points 6) ____

1) Has a diagram(s) been included to describe the experimental setup? 2) Is the figure clearly labeled? 3) Is graphic illustration effective in communicating aspects of the experiment?

9. Methodology: Procedure .................................................. (max points 9) ____

1) Has the student presented a complete, numbered, step-by-step procedure that will allow for the work to be replicated? 2) If instrumentation will be used, has the student anticipated the need for calibration, taring, etc? 3) Are valid scientific principles / practices evident in the procedure?

10. Findings: Observations / Data Tables / Graphs ............ (max points 9) ____
1) Has the data been correctly categorized as quantitative or qualitative? 2) Has a blank raw data table been included with appropriate title and units specified? 3) Are independent and dependent variables easily identified? 4) Has a blank summative data table been included with appropriate title & units? 5) Does it include measures of central tendency? 6) Does it include measures of variation? 7) Does it specify number of trials (n) ? 8) Are independent and dependent variables easily identified? 9) Has the student described an appropriate way of how the data will be represented graphically?

Guidelines for Assessing the Research Proposal

Intro to Research / Data Analysis 1 test version for Capsicum annum project

2010-11
p3

11. Results: Set Up for Inferential Data Analysis........... (max points 15) ____
1) Is an appropriate test chosen and the choice of the test explained? 2) Is a level of significance (alpha) specified? 3) Are two sets of appropriate, possible statements drafted? (If p > alpha, implications for null / implications for research / sentence specific to context of experiment) (If p < alpha, implications for null / implications for research / sentence specific to context of experiment)

12. Bibliography ..................................................................... (max points 4) ____

1) Are there at least five references cited which directly relate to the project? 2) Does each reference include an annotation / summary? 3) Are they presented in an appropriate fashion (MLA or APA)? 4) Were the sources mentioned anywhere in the Introduction of the paper?

13. Technical Writing / Grammar & Composition ............... (max points 8) ____
1) Is proper grammar, punctuation, spelling, etc. used throughout the paper? 2) Is proper vocabulary & unambiguous language utilized throughout the paper? 3) Is proper sentence structure utilized throughout the paper? 4) Would the paper be viewed as a carefully crafted and written paper?

Total Points Earned .............................. (sum of 13 sections, max points 100) ____

Proposal Worthiness ................................ (considered as the Gateway to an A )

Is the nature of the student research proposal at a level that will satisfy the HTHS research and data analysis requirements? Is the nature of the student research proposal at a level that could be entered in the Jersey Shore Science Fair or NJ Junior Academy of Science competitions?

Senior students / Faculty notes section ...... (concerns to bring up during consult)