Proposals, Experimental Approach section headings

The first move of the Experimental Approach section is to share prior accomplishments. The term prior accomplishments refers to completed works (e.g., published articles or otherwise disseminated results) and other accomplishments (e.g., awards, collaborations) that are related to the proposed work. (Unrelated accomplishments may be listed in a separate biographical statement but should not be mentioned in the proposal.) The purpose of move 1 is to establish expertise and convince reviewers that you have the necessary skills to complete the proposed work. Move 1 usually begins at or near the start of the Experimental Approach section. The length of move 1 varies with each proposal. Typically, the section is longer for experienced researchers (i.e., those with prior grant support) because they have more accomplishments to share. Move 1 is often demarked with a level 2 heading. Common level 2 headings for move 1 are shown in table 13.2. 

In the third (and last) move of the Experimental Approach section, you describe how you will conduct your proposed work. A well-organized and logical progression of ideas is essential in this move. Most authors demark the start of this move with a level 2 heading, parallel to the level 2 headings used for moves 1 and 2. A few examples are shown in table 13.6. 

You are ready to complete the first full draft of your Experimental Approach section (moves 1, 2, and 3). Add headings, subheadings, and ordinal language, as needed, to organize your ideas and to help your reader recognize the breadth and depth of your proposed work. 

The Project Description is typically divided into three main sections (table 11.3). The first main section introduces project goals and importance (chapter 12). The second section describes the experimental approach (chapter 13). The third section summarizes project outcomes and impacts (chapter 14). Each main section (and corresponding chapter) is organized by moves. The major moves are listed in table 11.3, along with headings that authors commonly use in their proposals to signal these moves. (Note For instructional purposes, we have reformatted the headings in proposal excerpts included in this module to conform to style 1, as depicted in table 11.3.)... 

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