Tips and Guidelines

Formatting Guidelines for the Research Proposal, Research Abstract, and Research Product

• Margins: Use one-inch margins on all sides (left, right, top, bottom).

• Font: Use an 11 or 12 point font (Calibri, Times New Roman, Arial).

• Spacing and Alignment: Double-space your text and align it to the left.

• Citations: Use the citation style required by your RT. If no style is specified, use APA. Be consistent in your citations and references.

• Page Numbers: Number all pages.

• Cover Page: Include the title, date, name of your RT, your name, and ID number, centered on the page.

Research Learning Proposal:

• Maximum of five pages (of text), not including the cover page, references page, and any tables, figures, or appendices.

• The five-page limit will be strictly enforced. This practice helps you learn to be concise and to the point, a skill important for meeting strict guidelines set by funders, publishers, and other audiences. 

Research Abstract:

• Maximum of 300 words (unless otherwise specified by your RT).

• Exception: You may follow the guidelines for abstracts specified by a journal or other venue where you might submit the abstract. If you use an alternative venue’s guidelines, include those guidelines and venue information with your abstract.

Research Product:

• There is no page restriction.

Intellectual Property (IP) Considerations

Although I am currently collaborating with the Ontario Tech Intellectual Property (IP) Office to develop an agreement for managing IP used and created during research practicum placements, I do not expect to have this agreement finalized for the 2024-2025 academic year. In the meantime, I have implemented the following temporary process for handling any IP concerns:

1. Review the university's general IP policy, available at this link: Ontario Tech IP Policy.

2. Schedule a meeting with me and your practicum student to discuss any IP-related issues.

3. If necessary, I will arrange a consultation with the IP Office.