Writing the Research Plan Section: Preliminary Studies

Thomas Mitchell, MPH Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics University of California San Francisco

Slide 1: Research Plan

• Specific Aims
• Background and Significance
• Preliminary Studies
• Research Design and Methods

Slide 2: Preliminary Studies

• This section may consist of your own publications, publications of others (on your team), as well as unpublished data of yours or others.
  • When using results from others, make sure it is clear which data are yours and which emanated from others.
  • Length: + 6 pages.
• Style: This section can be more detailed and technical than the Specific Aims and Background & Significance sections.
  • However, it may be read by all reviewers, so technical jargon and acronyms should be avoided.
• Function: Demonstrates technical competence of research team (i.e., you have the expertise and competence to accomplish the specific aims you have proposed).

Slide 3: Preliminary Studies (cont)

• By providing preliminary data, this extremely important section helps build confidence that you can
  • handle the technologies
  • understand the methods
  • interpret the results
  • and, thus, achieve the aims you propose.
• Interpret preliminary results critically.
• Give alternative meanings to the data to show you've thought the problem through and will be able to meet future challenges.
  • If you don't do this, the reviewers will!
• Tell them how your early work is relevant to and prepares you for the new project.