I. Research Proposal Guidelines

1.      SLA's Research & Development Committee welcomes two types of proposal: 1) Research proposals that reflect SLA's focus on an evidence-based approach as outlined in the June 2001 SLA Research Statement, "Putting OUR Knowledge to Work". SLA supports the creation of new evidence through the SLA research grant to help build the knowledge base of special librarianship. Awards may be granted up to $25,000; and 2) Projects which directly benefit the operations of SLA (the Association) and its units, by furthering the scientific, literary and educational purpose for which the association is organized and operated.  Awards may be granted up to $10,000. Although the grant is available to individuals or groups who are not SLA members, on being awarded a grant the individual or members of the group must become a SLA members. Although the grant is available to individuals or groups who are not SLA members, on being awarded a grant the individual or members of the group must become SLA members.

2.      Research Proposals

2.1.   Scope: Research proposals should contribute to evidence-based practice in special librarianship. Research should focus on the demand for increased professional competence and accountability through consciously and consistently making professional-level decisions that are based on the strongest evidence of what works best for our clients.  Areas in which evidence-based practice may be applied are listed in SLA's revised Competencies for Information Professionals of the 21st Century and include selection and acquisition of information resources, methods of information access, selection and use of information technologies, and management of library and information services. Research techniques that support these competencies include: benchmarking, program evaluation, quality management, performance measurement, identifying best practices, and operations research.

2.2.   Outside of scope:  The following types of projects are out of scope and will not be considered:

2.2.1.      Research proposals that focus on one specific institution and are not generalizable.

2.2.2.      Funding the creation, enhancement, maintenance or rehabilitation of a library's facilities or holdings.

2.2.3.      Research proposals that do not focus on areas delineated in the SLA Research Statement. 

2.3.   Budget:  Budget-allowable costs are: personnel, materials and supplies, travel connected with grant only, computer time, printing, and dissemination. Particular attention is paid to the division between research expenditures and salary support. Costs not allowed: institutional overhead, equipment purchase, travel not grant related. SLA will provide a written statement that overhead is not covered.

2.4.   Doctoral students are permitted to submit proposals; however they may not use SLA Research funds on their dissertation research. While SLA is not opposed to this practice in principle, in practice it shifts control over the project from the SLA Research & Development Committee to the student's dissertation committee.

2.5.   Researchers are reminded that they may be required to obtain Institutional Review Board for human subjects research.

3.      Projects that directly benefit the operations of the Association

3.1.   Projects may include:  publications, study grants, continuing education programs, public awareness activities, special studies and reports, and information dissemination efforts.

3.2.   Projects that involve cooperative efforts with other organizations are encouraged.

3.3.   Budget:  Budget-allowable costs are: personnel, materials and supplies, travel connected with grant only, computer time, printing, and dissemination. Particular attention is paid to the division between research expenditures and salary support. Costs not allowed: institutional overhead, equipment purchase, travel not grant related.

II. Proposal Format

1.      Research Proposals shall contain three separate sections to facilitate blind review: Cover Sheet, Proposal and Qualifications Statement.

1.1.   Cover Sheet

Cover sheet with proposal title, researcher's name(s), researcher's contact information, and an abstract containing no more than 250 words. The remainder of the proposal should not contain any information that would identify the researcher(s).

1.2.   Proposal (maximum 10 pages double-spaced)

The proposal itself must be limited to a maximum of 10 pages double-spaced. Proposals must include the following:

1.2.1.      Background (8 pages): Including a statement of the problem; brief literature review of the most relevant literature; significance of the study (including its generalizability and/or transferability); goals and objectives of the study (including research questions and/or hypothesis); description of the methodology (data gathering techniques); a data analysis plan

1.2.2.      Work Plan (1 page): A work plan including a time line which shows specific tasks and expected completion dates. Research projects must be completed within 18 months of the grant being awarded.

1.2.3.      Budget (1 page): Budget-allowable costs are: personnel, materials and supplies, travel connected with grant only, computer time, printing, and dissemination. Particular attention is paid to the division between research expenditures and salary support. Costs not allowed: institutional overhead, equipment purchase in excess of $250 in total, travel not grant related.

1.3.   Qualifications Statement (1 page per researcher with 3 pages maximum)

Names and qualifications of researchers. Qualifications should be summarized in a one page resume for each researcher maximum with no more than 3 pages total. If there are more than 3 researchers on the project, please reduce the information for each to less than 1 page. Include only activities and publications directly relevant to this proposal.

2.      Association Operation Proposals shall contain two separate sections; Cover Sheet and Proposal

2.1.   Cover Sheet

Cover sheet with proposal title, researcher's name(s), researcher's contact information, and an abstract containing no more than 250 words.

2.2.   Proposal (maximum 5 pages double-spaced)

The proposal itself must be limited to a maximum of 5 pages double-spaced. Proposals must include the following:

2.2.1.      Background (3 pages): Including a description of the project; brief supporting literature review; impact of the proposal on the association relating to other SLA documents, for example, SLA's competencies, SLA's Vision, Mission and Core Values statement.

2.2.2.      Work Plan (1 page): A work plan including a time line which shows specific tasks and expected completion dates. Projects must be completed within 18 months of the grant being awarded.

2.2.3.      Budget (1 page): Budget-allowable costs are: personnel, materials and supplies, travel connected with grant only, computer time, printing, and dissemination. Particular attention is paid to the division between research expenditures and salary support. Costs not allowed: institutional overhead, equipment purchase in excess of $250 in total, travel not grant related.

Send research proposal and qualifications statement to the address below or e-mail to jlatham@sla.org. E-mails must be sent as an attachment in MS Word.

III. Evaluation Criteria

The SLA Research & Development Committee will evaluate proposals according to the criteria listed below:

1. Research or Project Topic

• Focus on evidence-based research or benefit to the Association.
• Focus on areas in which decisions are made, typified by those cited in the SLA's Competencies for Information Professionals of the 21st Century or the SLA Research Statement or SLA's Vision, Mission or Core Values.
• The significance of the topic to the profession or the Association

2. Methodology

• Appropriate and rigorous design
• Data collection appropriate to the research problem
• Analysis appropriate to the research problem

3. Proposal Presentation

• Clear and well written
• 10 or 12 point type throughout.
• Clear and legible tables and graphs (if included)
• Maximum 5 or 10 double-spaced pages

4. Work Plan

• Reasonable time frame for completion of project
• Includes appropriate milestones

5. Costs

• Appropriate and reasonable
• Evidence of institutional commitment where appropriate

6. Qualifications (Research Proposals only)

• Demonstrated ability of the researcher to undertake and complete the project

IV. Research Grant Contract (Research Proposals only)

The SLA Research Grant Contract must be completed and submitted with the original proposal, for consideration. The recipients of the association operations project grant may wish to write an article, but are not required to do so. The contract may be submitted with an electronic signature or submitted by mail to the address listed above or by fax to +1 703.647.4901.

V. Deadlines

The deadline for applications for the 2007 grant is Monday October 29, 2007.

Send proposals to:
SLA
Attention: Director, Information Center,
331 South Patrick Street, Alexandria, VA 22314-3501, USA

Or by e-mail to jlatham@sla.org. E-mails must be sent as an attachment in MS Word. The contract may be submitted with an electronic signature or submitted by mail to the address listed above or by fax to +1 703.647.4901.

Questions should be directed to John Latham, Director, Information Center, by e-mail at resources@sla.org.

The Research & Development Committee will make its recommendations for funding to the SLA Board of Directors in December 2007. An announcement will follow by the middle of January 2008 if an appropriate project is funded for the SLA Research Grant.