Critique: NRI proposal abstract (10 points)

Procedure

To find a good abstract to critique: (1) go to one of the web sites listed below, (2) pick out a proposal title that interests you, and (3) click on the "Full" link in the "View" column. Once you find an abstract you want to critique, cut-and-paste the abstract Non-technical summary, Objectives, and Approach into a text file, and then write a 1-paragraph critical analysis of the abstract. Finding a good abstract is an important part of this assignment! The abstract plus your analysis should be handed-in together.

Your critique should address the questions listed on the critiquing web page, plus:

What is the central research question?
Is the researchable question interesting and important?
What assumptions (or axioms) are stated? Were these assumptions clear and reasonable? Are any important assumptions missing?
What hypotheses (or postulates) are stated? Were these hypotheses clear and reasonable?
Were the methods described in sufficient detail for you to understand what research approaches will be used?

Abstracts can be found at at the following USDA NRI Program links:

Biobased Products and Bioenergy Production
Biology of Weedy and Invasive Plants
Biotechnology Risk Assessment
Carbon Cycle Science
Improved Utilization of Wood and Wood Fiber
Managed Ecosystems
Pest Management Alternatives
Regional Integrated Pest Management - West
Soil Processes
Watershed Processes and Water Resources

If you do not complete the assignment by the due date, a late penalty will be assigned using the penalties listed in the late assignment policy.

Objectives and rationale

Upon completion of this assignment, you will (1) understand the key components of a proposal abstract, (2) have examples of proposal abstracts to use as a guide, and (3) be able to critically evaluate the proposal abstracts of others.