Research Award Level II - Application Guidelines / Evaluation and Scoring

Level II Research Funding

Level II funding can be used for:

• A stand-alone research project or pilot project;
• Conducting preliminary research in preparation for a Level III research project, such as instrument development and testing; and
• Research tasks subsequent to a full research project, such as follow-up testing.

All applications should include the following:

1. Title page

• Title of the proposal
• Name of sponsoring organization
• Status of sponsoring organization (e.g., not-for-profit, hospital, university, etc.)
• Investigator names and contact information (institutional affiliation, title, address, telephone and fax numbers, email address)
• Dates of proposed period of support
• Total dollar amount requested
• Dated signatures of:
  • Principal Investigator
  • Project Contact person (if different from above)
  • Individual authorized to sign on behalf of the sponsoring organization

2. Abstract

• In a maximum of 400 words, state the proposals 1) purpose, 2) rationale, 3) general method (e.g., qualitative survey or quantitative research), 4) potential implications, and 5) significance.
• Citations are not required.
• Writing format: single spaced, black ink, 12pt font, one inch margins.

3. Scientific Excellence description of Investigators [10%]

• In a maximum of 500 words per investigator, briefly describe the qualifications and experience of the key members of the study team in relation to their ability to implement the proposed research.
• Writing format: single spaced, black ink, 12pt font, one inch margins.

4. Purpose & Significance [25%]

In a maximum of 500 words (single spaced, black ink, 12pt font with 1 inch margins), explain the purpose and significance of the proposed research as follows (note your application will be evaluated according to the bulleted list under each heading):

Purpose:

• Clearly state and defend the purpose of the proposed research. The major problem, conceptual/pragmatic question, or research practice gap addressed by the research should be clear.
• If applicable, state how the research relates to a level III or IV project

Significance. Explain why the problem is important, for example:

• How does the research make an important contribution or add value to the problem gambling field?
• Is there a high degree of potential utilization of the research results?
• Describe the population of impact (e.g., size, characteristics).
• What is the practical and/or theoretical importance of this research?

5. Proposal (attachment), system support, access, ethical considerations (65%)

PART A: Proposal

• Writing format: single spaced, black ink, 12pt font, one inch margins.
• Must not exceed 8 single spaced pages (excluding references and appendices); those that exceed 8 pages will not be considered for an award.
• Take note of how much each section is worth and devote page space accordingly (e.g., the methodology is worth 45% of the entire application so it should be very detailed).
• The proposal will be evaluated according to the description of each section (i.e., the bulleted list under each heading).    
• The proposal must contain the following SUBTITLED sections.  

Rationale/Literature Review [15%]

• How does your proposed research relate to previous work in the area?
• Identify relations, contradictions, inconsistencies in the literature, as related to your proposed research
• What are they theoretical implications of the study?
• Clearly state the hypothesis/research question. It should be consistent with the purpose and literature review. It should be clear how the hypothesis or research question is aligned with making an important contribution to resolving the identified problem/issue your research will address.
• In addition to the clearly stated hypothesis/research question, clearly state predicted results if relevant
• A discussion of preliminary work related to this line of research is appropriate if applicable.

Methodology (including the following subheadings: participants, materials, design & procedure) [45%]

Clearly describe how the study will be conducted. A well described methodology should allow replication of your study with no need for clarification. It should be clear why the methodological approach/design proposed is appropriate to the research question(s) or hypothesis(es). Where appropriate, discuss preparatory work. Write the methodology using the following subheadings:

• Participants
  • Report and justify number of participants. Report power calculations if appropriate.
  • Report and describe the sample characteristics (e.g., source, demographic features, inclusion and exclusion criteria)
  • Report the procedure for recruiting and assigning (e.g., random assignment, stratified assignment) participants and report the number to be assigned to each condition (if applicable; recruitment procedures not applicable in animal research).
  • Report participant compensation and consent method (if applicable; not applicable in animal research).
  • The sample should be well described and it should be representative; if the sample is not representative, it should be clear why it is not (if applicable; not applicable in animal research).
• Materials
  • Report specific equipment to be used, for example, questionnaires (include reliability information) computer program, brain imaging equipment. Clarify why the materials used are appropriate to the design.
  • Information about published evidence of the psychometric properties of the measurement instruments should be reported as available/relevant.
• Design & Procedure
  • Report how the research will be executed from beginning to end
  • Include instructions to participants as well as control features such as randomization and counterbalancing (instructions to participants not relevant in animal research).
  • It should be clear how the data collection procedure is appropriate to the design

 Results [5%]

• Report the data analysis procedures to be employed in terms of each specific research question and/or hypothesis.
• It should be clear how the analyses are appropriate to the research question(s) or hypothesis(es).

Reference List

• APA format reference list that contains references for all citations

PART B: System support, access, ethical considerations. 

• System support: describe the academic/research support available from the sponsoring organization and the contribution it will make to the successful implementation of the study. Include both financial and ‘in kind’ contributions, if applicable.

• Access: describe the availability of, or relevant permission to access, any data, subjects, partners, key informants, or research sites required to complete the research. NOTE: Requests for research access to Ontario Lottery and Gaming (OLG) sites, suppliers, slots laboratory or staff must be made directly to OPGRC, and will be negotiated under OPGRC’s memorandum of understanding with OLG.

• Ethical considerations: identify ethical considerations inherent in the proposed research and describe how they will be addressed. In addition, indicate how and when ethics approval will be sought. NOTE: funding, if granted, is conditional on ethics approval.

6. Appendices

• Include only MATERIALS directly relevant to the proposal (e.g., select questionnaires).
• Do not attach ARTICLES because articles will not be considered as appendices.
• You can include more than one appendix; use separate attachments for separate documents. However, length is limited to twice the maximum length of the proposal.

7. Budget and Timeline

• Specify each task to be undertaken, the team member to be assigned to that task, and the estimated time for each task, using the budget template provided. 
• Note that your timeline will be evaluated in terms of feasibility and appropriate personnel skill- to- task alignments.

• Specify the cost associated with each part of the proposed research, using the template provided. Note that you should specify "in kind" expenses as well; simply indicate the cost associated with the (specified) task is $0.
• You are expected to JUSTIFY the cost associated with each budget item in the space provided. There is no word limit for justification of budget items.
• Note that your budget will be evaluated in terms of how it represents good value for money.

8. OPGRC Productivity Index (if applicable)

If you are the recipient of a previous OPGRC award, provide a description of:

• All awards received to date from OPGRC
• Agreement deadlines for completion, extensions, and dates of completion for interim/final reports for each award
• All associated publications and/or knowledge translation activities for each specific award
• Maximum of 500 words, single spaced, black ink, 12pt font, one inch margins.