A good research design includes an introduction well grounded in the literature; specific, answerable research questions and/or hypotheses; a study design that minimizes alternative explanations of the results; research subjects of sufficient number to ensure that a predicted outcome will be found, if it exists; and an accurate choice of analytic methods for processing information from the study.

This example is a proposal that was submitted to the AAPA/APAP Research Grants Program several years ago. While its formatting elements are not identical to current AAPA/PAEA submission guidelines, it parallels them fairly closely.

• Background or rationale
• Research question
• Objectives
• Methods or evaluation
• Personnel
• Notice of IRB submission
• Budget (with justification for specific items)
• Time line (no longer than two years in length)

This sample proposal provides an example of the formatting elements that should be included in PAEA proposals submitted to the PAEA Research Grants cycle.

• Abstract
• Background/rationale
• Research questions (guidelines require a research question or hypothesis)
• Study aims
• Methodology
• Evaluation
• Potential significance
• References
• Plans for IRB submission
• Detailed budget and timeline