PRELIMINARY STUDIES

Now it's time to show the reviewers that you have the expertise to complete the proposed research project. The best way to do this is to provide preliminary data.

Start off by explaining how your early work prepares you for this new project. Explain how the results of your preliminary data is valid and how this research will help expand those results. Be sure to critically interpret the results and provide possible alternative meanings. Your preliminary data should support the hypothesis to be tested and show the feasibility of the project. Remember to include the work done by the others working with you on this project.

Examples of what you can use as preliminary date include:

• Pilot data
• Secondary analysis of your own dataset or that of others
• Recap of planning meetings that you've had with your collaborators (this will show that you are prepared to take on this project)
• Review of literature