k-to-r workshop: how to craft the "specific aims" (part 2-basic science)

Key points about specific aims page

• Will determine most of the reviewer’s score

• Should convey your excitement

• Should make the reviewer want to read more

Key points about specific aims page

• Must be easily understood oAvoid jargon and abbreviations

oUse simple declarative sentences

oShould provide a clear description of what you hope to do

Typical layout • 1-2 paragraphs of background

o Importance of topic/overall goal o Prior research, especially your own o Gaps in current knowledge o Overall hypothesis

• Specific aims in bullet points • Importance and impact of

knowledge to be gained (optional)

Things to avoid • Jargon and abbreviations • Dense, hard to understand writing • Potential pitfalls of the proposed

research • Criticisms of others’ work • One aim that depends on another*

Things to do • Make sure that the research will

address your hypothesis

• Have people outside your field read your specific aims page

Education