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CHAPTER 13: Communication in Psychology 441An abstract is not included in a research proposal. The introduction of aresearch proposal is likely to include a more extensive review of the relevantliterature than is required for a journal article. The statement of the researchproblem and the logical development of hypotheses in a research proposalare the same as required in a journal article. Similarly, the Method section inthe proposal should be as close as possible to the one that will accompany thefinished research.The section of the proposal titled “Expected Results and Proposed DataAnalysis Plan” should include a brief discussion of the anticipated results ofthe research. In most cases the exact nature of the results will not be known.Nevertheless, you will always have some idea (in the form of a hypothesis orprediction) of the outcome of the research. The Expected Results section mayinclude tables or figures of the results as you expect (hope) that they will comeout. The expected results that are most important to the project should be highlighted.A proposed data analysis plan for the expected results should be in thissection. For example, if you are proposing a complex design, you would needto indicate which effects you will be testing and what statistical tests you willuse. Reasonable alternatives to the expected results should also be mentioned,as well as possible problems of interpretation that will arise if the results deviatefrom the research hypothesis. The body of a research proposal ends witha Conclusions section that provides a brief statement of the conclusions andimplications based on the expected results.The References section should be in exactly the same form as the one youwould submit with the final report. An appendix should complete the researchproposal and should include a list of all materials that will be used in doing thestudy. For example, if you are conducting an experiment involving students’memory for lists of words, the following must be included in the appendix:actual word lists with randomizations made, type of apparatus used for presentation,instructions to participants for all conditions, and randomizationsof conditions.Finally, a research proposal should include material to be submitted to anInstitutional Review Board (IRB) or similar committee designed to review theethics of the proposed research (see Chapter 3). Your institution no doubt hasstandard forms that are to be submitted with your proposal.