Insect Ecology

Fall 2006, D. A. Andow

Final Paper

Final Paper / Grant Proposal

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The purpose of this exercise is to give you practice in writing grants or papers and to have you develop researchable ideas in insect ecology.  You are to think of a researchable idea and justify your reasons for pursuing it.  Guidelines are described below.  After you have submitted your grant, you will be asked to evaluate the proposals of your classmates.  The timetable for the various parts of the exercise is also given below and in the class syllabus.  You will be graded on (1) turning in your outline on time (5%), (2) how well you justify the need for your proposed research (15%) and (3) the insight and helpfulness of your reviews of classmates’ proposals (5%). 

Some of you may find it more useful at this stage of your career or studies to write a review of the literature.  If you feel that you would benefit more from this kind of activity than from writing a grant, please talk to me about your ideas.  If you choose to write a paper instead of a grant proposal, similar parts will be weighted accordingly.

Grant Application Instructions

OBJECTIVES OF THIS REQUEST (Assignment):

"Support" is provided for research on insect ecology in many areas: physiological, behavioral, evolutionary, population or community ecology, ecosystems, and ecotoxicology.

GUIDELINES:

1. All proposed “studies” must use arthropods as the primary experimental organism.  All proposed studies must be ecological.  They may focus on interactions between arthropods and other non-arthropodan taxa.
   
2. Submit a 1 page outline of your proposal on Tuesday 11/14.  I will return these to you with comments and suggestions on Thursday 11/16.
   
3. The first draft of your proposal is due in class on Thursday 11/30.  You must bring 3 copies to distribute to your reviewers.  In return, you will receive 3 proposals/papers to review.  Your reviews are due in class on Thursday 12/7.
   
4. The deadline for final drafts is noon, Monday 12/18.  Grants/papers received after this time will not be considered.  Submit 1 copy of your proposal and attach all 3 of your reviews.  You may deliver the proposal to my office (232 Hodson) or leave it in my mailbox in 219 Hodson.
   
5. Proposed research may be a literature review, field or laboratory experiment, conceptual or empirical, etc.  Proposed research is not restricted to these areas.
   
6. Grants must conform to the following style:
   1. Page 1.   Title of proposal, name, address, phone number and date
      
   2. Page 2.   Abstract (350 words or less)
      
   3. Page 3.   Begin the text of the proposal.  Include Introduction and Description of proposed research.  This section must not exceed 7 pages double spaced, 12 pt font, 1" margins.
      
   4. Follow with References Cited (use the citation style of Ecology – check your readings)
   
   
7. The body of the proposal should have four major sections
   1. Introduction.  This provides a motivation for the question – why is it important enough to be studied?  What it the “value” of the question?  The last paragraph of the introduction should state the question to be investigated. (1-2 pages)
      
   2. Rationale.  This provides a review of the relevant literature and explains the scientific motivation for the question.  This provides the details missing from the introduction.
      
   3. Methods.  This describes the experiment to be conducted.  (1 page maximum)
      
   4. Significance.  This explains the overall significance of the project – why non-scientists might care about the project (1/2 page maximum)

Information resource:  Copies of funded student grants are on file in the course readings box in my lab.  Please feel free to copy them, but do not remove them for any length of time.