Research Proposal Checklist
Is the paper in APA-style?
Are there at least 8-10 references?
Are the references properly cited?
Are all references cited in the text found in the reference section and vice versa?
Is the abstract 100-120 words long?
Is the abstract clear and understandable?
Does it summarize the paper well, including information from each major section of the paper?
Do the first couple of paragraphs set up the topic well?
Is there an interesting beginning to draw the reader in?
Does it give and clear and thorough presentation of previous research?
Is there a clear rationale for the hypotheses presented?
Are the hypotheses clearly stated and testable?
Are the hypotheses original and interesting?
Will the study you are doing add to what we already know about your topic?
Is it in future tense?
Are there appropriate subheadings?
Are all questionnaires and scales described well (with the actual questionnaire, if created by you, in an appendix)?
Is it clear exactly what happens to participants from the beginning to the end of the study?
Is it clear where the participants will be found?
Could someone reading your method section replicate your study exactly?
Does your method clearly test your hypotheses?
Are your operational definitions clearly defined?
What comparisons would you make on your data?
How would these comparisons test your hypotheses?
What do you expect to find, in words and in terms of main effects, interactions, and correlations?
What would it mean if you did get your expected results?
What implications would these results have for other areas?
Why would these results be important?
What are limitations of your study and ideas for further research?