Step 1: Writing the research proposal

The first step in your project is developing a research proposal. First, you will develop a pre-proposal, a short description of the kind of project you plan to undertake. After you've discussed this pre-proposal with your teacher and the STAR coordinator, you will turn it into a more detailed research proposal of about two pages.

A. Developing a research topic

In the pre-proposal, you will describe in an outline format what kind of project you are interested in undertaking. You may already have an idea of what topic you would like to investigate, but here are some helpful hints:

• Read about issues surrounding the Chesapeake Bay. The Online Research Library has links to many informative websites.
• Read the information about cruises and research stations to learn about the research stations and different habitats that you could visit during your research cruise.
• Check the section on boats and equipment to see what research equipment is available.
• Read what other students are doing in the section about student projects. Perhaps your project can focus on a related issue or expand another student's research. Also check out online STAR data for any possible follow-up on other projects.
• Download and read the following list of possible research topics. You don't have to choose from this list, but hopefully these suggestions get your creativity flowing.
  Possible Research Topic and Parameters (pdf).

B. Writing and submitting the pre-proposal

Your pre-proposal will contain information vital to start the scientific process. It is best to think of this document as a "working document"...a place where you can review your thoughts and vision for your project. It will act as a springboard for the first discussions between you and the STAR coordinator.

The outline for the pre-proposal is explained in the Pre-Proposal Outline Form (Word document) or Pre-proposal Outline Form (PDF) Download this outline and use it to create your own pre-proposal. Then submit your pre-proposal to your teacher. When s/he has reviewed the proposal, you can e-mail it as an attachment to the STAR coordinator at falkj@si.edu.

C. Writing and submitting the final proposal

Based on the discussion around your pre-proposal, you will revise and formalize your research proposal. The formal proposal is when we take the information in the outline and convert it to a technical essay. The components of each section of the formal proposal is explained in Writing the Formal Proposal (Word Document) or Writing the Formal Proposal (PDF). The formal proposal typically takes students 1-2 weeks to complete. Appropriate deadlines for submission will be worked out between you and the STAR coordinator. During this time, you should plan to visit SERC to complete the necessary equipment training. After collecting all of the information needed to complete your proposal, you will submit it to your teacher for review. After you and your teacher are fully satisifed with the proposal, e-mail it to the STAR coordinator at SERC for final approval.

What's next?
Congratulations, you are on your way! Continue your research with Step 2: Field Sampling.