Often seemingly well thought out research studies can benefit from better planning. We believe that the cost/benefit ratio of a study can be improved by taking the time to develop formal documentation of the study's objectives and methods.

We hope that this checklist will help you design and implement your study. Remember, we are here to help make your project a success!

1. Objectives

• Formally states research questions, hypotheses, or objectives.

  Why is this study being conducted?
  What will be known or better understood as a result of this study?

2. Background and Significance

• Provides an introduction and background.

  What is the context for the study?
  What is the current state of knowledge in this area?

• Gives a rationale for pursuing the research question.

  Why is this study important?
  How does this study relate to prior work?

3. Approach and Methods

• Explains the design.

  What are the relevant variables?
  What are the data sources?

• Provides a sampling plan.

  How big should the sample be?
  Who will be included in the sample?
  How will potential respondents be identified?
  What is the desired response rate?
  How will confidentiality be maintained?

• Provides a data collection plan.

  What are the instruments?
  What are the data collection procedures?
  How will data be stored and managed?

• Provides a data analysis plan.

  What are the likely data analysis techniques?
  How will the results address the study objectives?

• States possible limitations, problems, and solutions.

4. Deliverables, Reporting, and Dissemination

• Specifies the reporting format.

  How will results be interpreted to formulate conclusions?
  To what extent will the results be generalizable?
  Who is the target audience for the deliverables?

5. Project Management

• Provides a project staffing chart.

  Who is responsible for each of the project's components?
  What are their qualifications?

• Provides a time line for completion of specific tasks.

  What are the specific tasks required to complete the study?
  Are there identifiable phases to the study?
  When will the tasks and phases begin and end?

• Provides a project budget.

  What will each task or phase cost?
  Are there additional or optional costs?

6. Supplementary Materials

• Provides additional materials as appropriate.

  Equipment specifications, copies of instruments or protocols, letters of support, subject consent forms, instructions to subjects, etc.

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