Issue link: https://ahint.epubxp.com/i/619494
A A H F N . O R G | 1 3 intervention (when applicable) and data analysis plan in a manner that justifies the need for the study. Background and Significance — This section introduces the problem, why it is important to heart failure (HF) nurses and what the researcher hopes to accomplish with the project. Pertinent literature is summarized to justify the project and identify knowledge gaps related to the problem, setting the stage for the problem and purpose statement. Problem and Purpose Statement — The problem statement clearly identifies what the study intends to investigate and why. The purpose statement flows directly from the problem statement, describing the goal of the study in a single sentence. Study aims, or goals the researcher wishes to accomplish in the study, are then articulated. An example of a purpose statement: "The purpose of this study was to describe learning styles of HF patients and to determine if differences exist in learning style by gender and occupation." Theoretical Framework — An overview of the theoretical framework that will guide the proposed research project should be provided. The concepts and propositions of a theory bridge the problem and purpose statement, data collection instruments and methods, and guides data analysis and interpretation that should be identified. Literature Review — Some proposals call for a comprehensive review of relevant literature. In this situation, literature would be synthesized and summarized, one category at a time, in this section. Always follow institutional guidelines for the proposal. Methods — The methods section is the most important section of the research proposal. It delineates the "recipe" for the study, describing each step the researcher will take in implementing the project and allows reviewers to evaluate the rigor of the study. Research Design — In this section you will describe the research design and rationale for choosing the specific design to address the research problem briefly. Setting and Sample — This section describes who will be in the study, how and where they will be recruited and selected (sampling method) and how many subjects will be needed. Specific characteristics for being included (male with HF), or excluded (over age 60) is also contained in this section. If you are submitting a federal research grant, you may need to explain why a certain group is excluded from your research study or you may need to further describe efforts taken to include women and minorities in the study. Data Collection Instruments — All data collection instruments that will be used, including the demographic data sheet, are discussed in this section. Each instrument is described in its own subsection, including how the variables are measured and the established validity and reliability of each instrument. Data Management and Analysis — The comprehensive plan for data collection, including how consent will be obtained and the order in which instruments will be administered, is outlined here. The estimated time for data collection and intervention administration (if applicable) should be included. Also explained is how the data will be analyzed, identifying statistical methods and software that will be used. The plan for storing, securing and destroying data is also outlined. Protection of Human Subjects — The plan for protection of human rights is described in this section. Typically, statements about voluntary participation, the right to withdraw and maintenance of participant confidentiality is discussed here. When participants are members of a vulnerable population, this section should be highly detailed. In some cases, the funder may want you to submit a letter acknowledging that you have already received IRB approval at the time of the grant submission. Timeline and Budget — The final sections of a proposal are the detailed timeline of the project and a detailed budget of project related costs. These are typically presented in tabular format. A rationale for included costs should also be included in this section. Conclusion A well-written proposal justifies the study need, provides enough detail for reviewers to assess the quality and strength of the study and describes the steps that will be followed. It serves as a guide for overall conduct of the study. References 1. Bonnel W, Smith KV. Proposal writing for nursing capstones and clinical projects. New York, NY: Springer; 2014. 2. Fain J. Reading, understanding and applying nursing research. 3rd edition. Philadelphia: FA Davis; 2009. 3. Holins Martin CJ, Fleming V. A 15-step model for writing a research proposal. Br J Midwifery. 2010;18:791-798. " A well-written proposal justifes the study need, provides enough detail for reviewers to assess the quality and strength of the study and describes the steps that will be followed. "