Research Design and Proposal Writing in Spatial Science

223 Pages·2005·1.722 MB·English

by  Jay D. Gatrell Ph.D., Gregory D. Bierly Ph.D., Ryan R. Jensen Ph.D. (auth.)

J.D. Gatrell
G.D. Bierly
R.R. Jensen
Research Design and Proposal Writing in Spatial Science
Jay D. Gatrell
Gregory D. Bierly
Ryan R. Jensen

Research Design
and Proposal Writing
in Spatial Science

With 17 Figures and 12 Tables
Jay D. Gatrell Ryan R. Jensen
Assistant Professor Assistant Professor
Indiana State University Indiana State University,
Department of Geography, Geology Department of Geography,
and Anthropology Geology and Anthropology
159L Science Bldg. 159L Science Bldg.
Terre Haute, IN 47809 Terre Haute, IN
USA USA
Email:[email protected] Email:[email protected]

Gregory D. Bierly
Associate Professor
Indiana State University
Department of Geography, Geology
and Anthropology
159L Science Bldg.
Terre Haute, IN 47809
USA
Email:[email protected]

Library of Congress Control Number: 2005928953

ISBN-10 3-540-27952-0 Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York
ISBN-13 978-3-540-27952-5 Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York

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Foreword
Jay Gatrell, Gregory Bierly, and Ryan Jensen have produced a book that will be a
valuable addition to many academics’ bookshelves. While the examples are based
on research in spatial sciences, the guidelines and examples are widely applicable
in any science based discipline. In today’s competitive academic environment
every faculty member is expected to engage in the process of funding their re-
search with extra mural grants and contracts. At a minimum, they must develop a
logical proposal before they begin a thesis or dissertation. Far too often a graduate
student’s program of study does not include training in how to succeed in this
competitive process. This book could serve as an excellent text for a one semester
graduate level course devoted to proposal development. An instructor could guide
a group of students through the entire proposal writing experience and expect each
student to defend a completed proposal as a final project. If taken at the right
stage in their career students would jump start their thesis or dissertation research.
Feedback from other students would help to identify weaknesses and strengthen
the proposal. Alternatively, graduate students and young faculty members who
are unable to benefit from a formal course setting will find the book to be a excel-
lent manual for self study. In addition to providing
“an understanding of the scale and scope of spatial science,
define the constituent parts of a research proposal, underscore
the importance of design, and explore the many forms re-
search output may take from the initial abstract through the
peer reviewed article.”
the book also includes nine original proposals that cover a wide range of applica-
tion domains as well as intended audiences. These proposals can serve as models
or blueprints that can help a researcher structure a successful document. As the
authors state:
“Each of the models included in this collection has been se-
lected as they have specific features that make them unique. In
some cases, the exposition of the data or methods section,
graphics, or budget features are distinct. In all cases, the
unique features of each are noted in the prefatory comments
and reflection. Additionally, we—the authors—have endeav-
ored to identify a diverse collection of models from across the
spatial sciences. Further, all of the proposals have been suc-
cessfully defended and/or grants have been awarded.”
The book really has two distinct parts. The first eight chapters constitute a practi-
cal guide on how to approach a research problem in the spatial sciences and carry
an idea through the entire process of proposal development, submission and the
vi Foreword
ultimate dissemination of the findings. The first three of these chapters focus on
general background information relating to literature, data and methodology that is
useful for any structured research program. The remaining five chapters walk one
through the logical steps in developing a proposal, securing approval or funding
and then provide a very useful discussion of the alternatives that now exist for dis-
semination of findings. Throughout these eight chapters the authors build on their
extensive experience to provide helpful hints and insights. For example, there is
useful section on how to deal with rejection. (Don’t take it personally, learn from
the feedback and strengthen the proposal.)
The nine proposals are grouped into sections on master’s theses, Doctoral Disser-
tations and grant proposals. The compilation of these successful proposals pro-
vides an excellent resource for any researcher. The authors have provided a brief
introduction to each proposal to set its context. Each proposal demonstrates a
need to have a clear outline, to clearly identify the research questions and to out-
line the data sources and methodology that will be followed. In some cases the
investigators have provided useful timelines and budget items. Even a causal re-
view of these proposals will provide the novice researchers with a clear picture of
task in front of them. One quickly learns the importance of carefully laying out
the details of the research plan and the expected results. The authors’ comments
relating to some of the proposals demonstrate that a well structured proposal help
to place bounds around a research project. Armed with a detailed proposal that
has been approved by the funding agency or a committee the researcher can be
confident that there is no misunderstanding about the scope of a study. Far too of-
ten a research project wonders off course to explore additional study sites, data
sources or methodological approaches. The real value to this book is its focus on
the proposal development process and its importance in a successful career. Most
students lack the proper perspective on proposal development as a way of focusing
and organizing their ideas and providing a blueprint for their research activities.
This book is a timely addition to our literature and should be required reading for
any graduate student in the field.
David Cowen
Carolina Distinguished Professor of Geography
University of South Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
April 18, 2005
Dedications
To my favorite editor, s., and our children, f., m. and e.—JDG
To my wife, Susan, and children, Katherine, Helena, and Emily; my beloved
family, around whom all of my geographic universe revolves—GDB
For Tricia—RRJ
Acknowledgements
The authors wish to acknowledge the contributions of sample proposals provided
by several scholars as indicated on the title pages of individual chapters. Addi-
tionally, we should note that the instrumentation grant was awarded to a research
team that includes Ryan Jensen, Jay Gatrell, John Jensen (South Carolina), Susan
M. Berta (Indiana State), and Paul Mausel (Indiana State). However, proposals
authored or co-authored have not been directly attributed. Additionally, the edi-
tors acknowledge the hard work and assistance of Ms. Barb McNeill with the final
preparation and copy-editing of the manuscript. Additionally, Jay would like to
thank Marcus Doel (Swansea) for providing the Lyotard quote in Chapter 4.
Likewise, the Doreien quote in Chapter 1 came from an interesting syllabus pre-
pared by sociologist Paul Voss (Wisconsin). Finally, the editors greatly appreci-
ated the support of the entire Springer Team, specifically Christian Witschel, Al-
mas Schimmel, and the entire Geosciences editorial team.
Contents
1 Spatial Science and Its Traditions……………………………......1
1.1 What is Spatial Science?........................................................................2
1.2 The Place of the Spatial Science………………………………………4
1.3 Spatialized Disciplines…………………………………………….......4
1.3.1 Spatial Science Beyond the Academy…………………………….5
1.4 The Scientific Method & Other Ways of Knowing…………………...6
1.4.1 Empiricism………………………………………………………..6
1.4.2 Logical-Positivism………………………………………………..6
1.4.3 Behaviouralism…………………………………………………...7
1.4.4 Humanism………………………………………………………...7
1.4.5 Structuralism and Post-structuralism……………………………..8
1.5 Organization of the Book……………………………………………...9
1.6 Closing Thoughts……………………………………………………...9
References………………………………………………………………..10
2 Literature Reviews……………………………………………….11
2.1 The Process…………………………………………………………..11
2.2 Finding the Literature………………………………………………..12
2.3 Conceptual & Methodological Reviews……………………………..15
2.4 The Write Up………………………………………………………...16
2.5 Narrowing……………………………………………………………19
2.6 Differentiating the Purpose of the Literature Review…………….….19
2.7 MA Thesis……………………………………………………………20
2.8 Doctoral Dissertation………………………………………………...21
2.9 Articles……………………………………………………………….22
2.10 Review Articles…………………………………………………......23
2.11 Conclusion………………………………………………………….24
References………………………………………………………………..24
3 Research Questions………………………………………………27
3.1 Importance of research questions……………………………………27
3.2 Identifying research questions……………………………………….28
3.3 Qualities of an Effective Research Question and Hypothesis……….31
3.4 Types of Research Questions……………………………………......33
3.5 “Bonding” with One’s Research Objectives………………………...35
3.6 Conclusion………………………………………………………......36
References…………………………………………………….......36
xii
4 Data and Methods in Spatial Science…………………………...37
4.1 Understanding Data………………………………………………….37
4.2 The Hierarchy of Data Sources………………………………………39
4.3 Quantitative and Qualitative Data……………………………………41
4.3.1 Intensive and Extensive Approaches in Spatial Science………...42
4.4 Ethics in Data Collection…………………………………………….43
4.5 Sampling & Statistics………………………………………………...44
4.6 How to Present the Data & Analysis Portions of Your Study……….45
4.7 Conclusion…………………………………………………………...46
References…………………………………………………………46
5 Graduate Degree Proposals……………………………………...49
5.1 Graduate Committee…………………………………………………49
5.2 Topic Selection………………………………………………………50
5.2.1 Proposals are Contracts………………………………………….50
5.3 Graduate Proposal Structure…………………………………………50
5.3.1 Literature Review………………………………………………..50
5.3.2 Methods………………………………………………………….51
5.3.3 Expected Results and Conclusions………………………………51
5.3.4 Preliminary Studies……………………………………………...51
5.4 Proposal Defense…………………………………………………….52
5.4.1 Presentation……………………………………………………...52
5.5 Conclusion…………………………………………………………...52
6 Grants and Grant Writing………………………………………55
6.1 Opportunity and Challenge…………………………………………..55
6.2 Extramural Grants and Funding Agencies…………………………...55
6.2.1 RFPs and NRAs…………………………………………………56
6.2.2 Proposal Review…………………………………………………56
6.2.3 Funding Cycles…………………………………………………..57
6.3 Contracts…………………………………………...………………...57
6.4 Sheltered Competitions & Earmarks………………………………...58
6.5 Intramural Grants…………………………………………………….58
6.6 Grants and Contracts Administration………………………………..59
6.7 Proposal Structure……………………………………………………59
6.7.1 Project Summary………………………………………………...61
6.7.2 Introduction……………………………………………………...61
6.7.3 Literature Review and Background……………………………..61
6.7.4 Methods…………………………………………………………61
6.7.5 Expected Results………………………………………………..62
6.7.6 Budget and Budget Justification………………………………..62
6.7.7 References………………………………………………………62