Methods or Procedures

The methods section indicates how the project will proceed. It describes the various activities that you will use to accomplish your objectives. This section should demonstrate that the proposed procedures

	match the intended outcomes. According to Hall, the proposal may include objectives for which there are no procedures; but it may also include procedures that appear irrelevant and unrelated to any objectives (115). Make sure that the connections between these sections are clear and logical.
	are based upon sound rationale.
	are feasible. It is helpful to become well-informed about similar programs or projects, noting which procedures worked and which didnt for those organizations (Hall 115-116).

The choice of how detailed to make this section will probably depend upon your evaluation of your audience's familiarity with your discipline. In an exhaustive Methods or Procedures section, Hall recommends the following subsections (116-123):

	An Introduction that previews the overall structure of the section.
	An Approach or Design section that discusses the

1. methodology
2. population involved in the research
3. specific activities to be performed
4. rationale for activities
5. handling of unexpected results
6. difficulties anticipated
7. possible revisions of the project if necessary

	A Participants' section identifies groups to be used in the project, how these groups will be compiled, and issues related to various groups.  Are human subjects to be paid?  How are animal subjects to be treated?
	A section or sections on Instrumentation, Data Collection, and Analysis includes specific information on how data will be collected and handled.
	A Work Plan section outlines the sequence of planned activities. It is advisable in this section to use charts or timelines to clarify the narrative of the work plan.
	An Administration section includes information on the personnel and/or agencies that will be involved in the project. This section should indicate to reviewers your organization's competence to manage the project, as well as to justify budget requests that your proposal will make. It includes information on how personnel will be chosen, who will be responsible for various aspects of the project, what the administrative rules for the project will be, and how the involvement of other agencies will be handled.