SAFETY 789: Research Proposal Development

The course outline for SAFETY 789: Readings and Research in Safety is a 16-week program that covers various aspects of research proposal development. The course starts with an overview of the topic selection process, followed by conducting a literature review, formulating study objectives and hypotheses, selecting research methods, and building a research study around the hypothesis. The next few weeks focus on data collection, analysis, and writing draft papers. Finally, the course concludes with revisions and submission of the final paper.

DEPARTMENT OF OCCUPATIONAL & ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY & HEALTH
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN – WHITEWATER
SAFETY 789: Readings and Research in Safety (3 credits)
Instructor: __________________________________________
Office: ______________________________________________
Office Hours: ________________________________________
Telephone: __________________________________________
Email address: _______________________________________
Prerequisite: SAFETY 701 and at least 18 units must be completed in 700-level courses in MS
ESH Program.
Course Description:
Under the direction of a faculty member the student will examine current research and
professional practices and apply that knowledge to an ESH problem. The course serves as the
capstone experience and requires the successful completion of a research paper.
ESH Graduate Faculty Members:
Dr. Kwangseog (Kwan) Ahn, Sc.D., CIH
Dr. Ahn has extensive experience in teaching, research, and services in
occupational and environmental hygiene and environmental sciences. Before he
came to the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, he taught at the University of
Michigan and at Hunter College of The City University of New York. He also
worked as an industrial hygienist at the Environment, Health, and Safety Office
of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and at the Department of
Environment, Health and Safety of the University of North Carolina - Chapel
Hill. His research interests include the following:
 ventilation applications in laboratory and industrial environments
 exposure assessment methods and controls for airborne hazards
 health and safety in extreme work environments (confined spaces, heat stress)
 occupational and environmental noise exposure assessment
Education
 Sc.D. Industrial Hygiene, University of Massachusetts Lowell, 2003
 M.S.E.E. Industrial hygiene, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, 1994
 M.S.E. Environmental engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea, 1987
 B.S.E. Urban engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea, 1985
Certifications/Licenses
 Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH), American Board of Industrial Hygiene
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Dr. Tracy Buchman
Dr. Buchman teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in fire
protection/prevention, industrial accident prevention, and disaster planning. She
has over twenty-five years of professional practice, research, and teaching in
the fields of Safety, Security, and Emergency Management and has held several
consultant and advisory positions with the Assistant Secretary of Preparedness
and Response (ASPR), Department of Homeland Security (DHS), American
College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP), Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety
(IAHSS), and National Hospital Incident Command System (HICS). Dr. Buchman has made
numerous presentations at national and international conferences. She is a member of the
American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) Healthcare Practice Specialty, and the
International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety (IAHSS).
Education:
 DHA, 2009, The University of Phoenix
 M.S. Occupational/Industrial Safety Studies, 1994, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
 B.B.A. Human Resource Management, 1991, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
Certifications/Licenses:
 Master Exercise Practitioner (MEP) (In Progress)
 Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program (HSEEP)
 Certified Healthcare Safety Professional (CHSP)
 Certified Healthcare Protection Administrator (CHPA)
 Certified Hazard Control Manager (CHCM)
 State of WI Fire Inspector I
Dr. Sang D. Choi, Ph.D., CPE, CSP
Dr. Choi is a nationally and internationally recognized scholar-teacher with
extensive knowledge and experience in the areas of occupational ergonomics
and industrial safety/health. His field experience includes projects in multiple
work environments in construction, healthcare, manufacturing, food process,
steel production, and office settings projects. Dr. Choi has produced more than
130 refereed publications, and his research work has been cited over 6,000
times. Professor Choi’s main research interests are occupational ergonomics
and safety, work-related musculoskeletal disorders, fall prevention and protection, aging
workforce, human-machine interaction, work system analysis, and prevention through design.
Dr. Choi is a strong proponent of efforts to integrate research into the ESH practice and is
dedicated to bridge the gap between academia and the ESH profession (Research to Practice).
He is an OSHA-approved outreach instructor for construction and industrial safety. Dr. Choi is a
professional member of American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE), National Safety Council
(NSC), and Human Factors and Ergonomics Society (HFES). Dr. Choi served as the Editor for
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the American Society of Safety Engineer's Journal of Safety, Health, and Environmental
Research.
Education
 Ph.D. Industrial Engineering, 2003, Western Michigan University. Major Field:
Occupational Ergonomics and Safety
 M.S. Industrial Engineering, 1999, Wichita State University
 B.S. Industrial Engineering, 1996, Kwandong University
 Authorized OSHA Outreach Instructor for Construction Industry
 Authorized OSHA Outreach Instructor for General Industry
Certifications/Licenses
 Board Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE)
 Board Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
Dr. Todd Loushine, Ph.D., P.E., CSP, CIH
Dr. Loushine has over 20 years of diverse field experience from: Minnesota
OSHA, Workplace Safety Consultation, Wisconsin Department of Health and
Family Services, UW-Madison, and private consulting/expert witness
opportunities. Dr. Loushine is a Professional member of the American Society
of Safety Engineers, an officer of the Wisconsin Chapter of ASSE, and a
member of the Wisconsin Safety Council Advisory Board. He currently serves
as an Associate Editor for the ASSE Journal of Safety, Health and
Environmental Research, and participated on the editorial review board for the Professional
Safety Journal from 2009-2015. His areas of expertise in research/scholarship are: safety
culture/climate/systems, social inquiry and data analysis (both qualitative and quantitative),
organizational design and management, advanced learning systems, and redefining the field of
occupational safety and health.
Education
 Ph.D. Industrial Engineering, 2007, University of Wisconsin-Madison
 M.S. Industrial Engineering, 2002, University of Wisconsin-Madison
 B.S. Chemical Engineering, 1994, University of Minnesota
Certifications/Licenses
 Professional Engineer (P.E.), MN License (in Chem. Eng)
 Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
 Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH)
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Dr. Alvaro Taveira, Ph.D., CSP, CPE
Dr. Taveira has over twenty years of professional practice in the fields of
Human Factors/Ergonomics and Safety as a college professor, researcher, and
consultant. His experience includes projects in multiple work environments
including agriculture, steel production, mining, railroading, retailing and office
settings projects, and in the consumer products area as well. Professor Taveira
has over 60 peer reviewed publications and has made multiple presentations at
national and international conferences. His academic experience comprises
teaching graduate and undergraduate courses in Human Factors/Ergonomics, Behavioral Aspects
of Accident Prevention, Product Safety, and in a number of safety related courses. He is a
member of the American Society of Safety Engineers, and of the Human Factors and
Ergonomics Society.
Education
 Ph.D. Industrial Engineering, 1996
Area: Human Factors/Sociotechnical Systems
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Minor in research methods
 M.S. Industrial Engineering, 1987
Area: Human Factors/Product Design
Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina - Brazil
 B.S. Mechanical Engineering, 1984
Universidade Federal de Uberlandia - Brazil
Certifications/Licenses
 Certified Professional Ergonomist (CPE)
 Certified Safety Professional (CSP)
Dr. Donna Vosburgh, Ph.D., RS
Dr. Vosburgh is a Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Sanitarian and
has worked as a Public Health Sanitarian for non-community public water
supplies in Minnesota. She is a member of the American Industrial Hygiene
Association (AIHA), Wisconsin American Industrial Hygiene Association, and
the National Environmental Health Association.
Education
 Ph.D. Occupational and Environmental Health Industrial Hygiene subtrack, 2010, The
University of Iowa
 M.S. Environmental and Public Health, 2002, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
 B.S. Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences, 2000, Michigan Technological
University
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Certifications/Licenses
 Environmental Health Specialist/Sanitarian, Minnesota (RS628)
Course and University Policies:
Policy: All SAFETY 789 Readings & Research in Safety final reports must be evaluated by at
least 2 members of the OESH Department graduate instructional staff.
Procedure: The student prior to registering for SAFETY 789 must contact an OESH graduate
faculty member to discuss the study proposal. It is the student responsibility to secure an OESH
sponsoring faculty member to serve as the primary advisor for the study. Proposals will be
reviewed by the primary advisor and by a second reader, who under special circumstances may
not belong to the OESH Department. Final grade score for the course (i.e., the research report)
will be the average of the reviewers’ individual scores.
The following information should be submitted to the appropriate sponsoring
instructor/reader(s) prior to registering for the course:
1. Title of the proposed study
2. Project advisor's name and other (suggested) readers name(s)
3. Main questions (concepts, hypotheses) that will be explored
4. Methods and equipment anticipated to be used to conduct the study
5. Need for IRB approval
6. Preliminary bibliography (i.e., potential references) for the study
7. Proposed timeline for the study completion
format: The research question / initial review of the literature assignment as well as
the final research proposal may be submitted in paper format. In general, work should be double-
spaced in 12-point font with 1-inch margins on all four sides. APA style should be followed.
Academic Misconduct: It is your responsibility to know and understand University policies for
academic misconduct and plagiarism (see links below). The draft and final paper assignments
will be reviewed by an electronic plagiarism detection software. Penalties for plagiarism range
from a zero on the assignment to expulsion from the University. Please read the University
policies and let me know if you have questions.
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater is dedicated to a safe, supportive and
nondiscriminatory learning environment. It is the responsibility of all undergraduate and
graduate students to familiarize themselves with University policies regarding Special
Accommodations, Academic Misconduct, Religious Beliefs Accommodation, Discrimination and
Absence for University Sponsored Events (for details please refer to the Schedule of Classes; the
“Rights and Responsibilities” section of the Undergraduate Catalog; the Academic
Requirements and Policies and the Facilities and Services sections of the Graduate Catalog; and
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the “Student Academic Disciplinary Procedures (UWS Chapter 14); and the “Student
Nonacademic Disciplinary Procedures" (UWS Chapter 17).
Grading:
Your grade will be based on the following (Total: 100%):
Research Paper (70%)
Research Presentation (30%)
Grades will be based on the following scale:
Percent Grade
100-94 A
93-90 A-
89-87 B+
86-84 B
83-80 B-
79-77 C+
76-74 C
73-70 C-
69-67 D+
66-64 D
63-60 D-
≤ 59 F
Student Honor Code:
College of Business and Economics
 As members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater College of Business and Economics community,
we commit ourselves to act ethically in all aspects of our academic lives.
 As students, we promise that our work demonstrates the highest integrity. We will not misrepresent our
work, nor plagiarize, nor use unauthorized aid to gain a higher academic standing.
 As we participate in our academic setting, we commit to promoting diversity and professionalism in our
classrooms. We encourage participation from all members of our community, showing respect for others’
personal dignity, rights and freedoms.
 We will value the academic property that is Hyland Hall as well as the property of individuals throughout
the UW-Whitewater campus.
 We choose to endorse this set of values, thereby accepting responsibility for acting by these principles.
Adopted by the Dean’s Advisory Council Spring 2015
Timeline (Tentative)
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Week Topic Dues
Week 1 o Course overview
o Selection of research
topic
Week 2 o Conducting a literature
review
o Reading and synthesizing
prior work
o Introduction and background
Week 3 o Formulating study
objectives and hypotheses
o Purpose statements
o Research questions and hypotheses
o Study objectives
Week 4 o Selection of research
methods
o HSIRB approval, if
applicable
o IRB submission
Refer to: UWW Institutional Review Board for
the Protection of Human Subjects (IRB)
http://www.uww.edu/orsp/compliance/human-
research
Carol Katch, Compliance Manager
262-472-5288
[e-mail]
Week 5 o Building a Research
Study around the
Hypothesis
o Methods and procedures
Week 6 o Selection of Research
Method and Design
o Research proposal approval
Week 7 o Conducting data
collection
Week 8 o Conducting data
collection
Week 9 o Conducting data
collection
Week 10 o Analyze the data
Week 11 o Analyze the data
Week 12 o Writing draft paper o Draft paper submission
Week 13 o Writing draft paper
Week 14 o Revision of the draft o Draft revision submission
Week 15 o Final paper due to the 1st
and 2nd readers
o Final paper submission
Week 16 o Closing comments and
oral presentation
o Deliver oral presentation
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Study Proposal Outline
SAFETY 789 – Readings and Research in Safety
To be submitted (emailed) by the student to the primary advisor prior to
enrollment in the course
Student's Name _____________________________________________
I.D. Number_____________________________________________
Phone Number (Day) ________________ (Evening) __________________
Email Address ____________________________________________
Title of Proposed Study_________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
Project Advisor's Name ________________________________
2nd Reader’s Name _____________________________________________
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Guidelines for the Preparation of a Research Proposal
A. Introduction and Specific Aims
Prepare a concise description of the current status of knowledge and research activity
in the area of the proposed project. Include pertinent literature references which
emphasize your awareness of significant developments in the field - cite key
references which are critical and highly selective rather than exhaustive at this time.
Introduce the study questions or hypotheses to be examined in the proposed study.
B. Study Methods
1. Make sure that the anticipated methods are adequate to answering the research
questions.
2. Write a general, but brief, description of the study design.
i. Nature of the study: descriptive, experimental, quasi-experimental, etc.
3. Population to be studied and sampling design
i. How is the population to be defined?
ii. How is it available (i.e., from directory lists, employee rosters, census,
etc.)
iii. Who, what, where, when, why, who, how much.
iv. Sampling strategy to be used (random, convenience, purposeful, etc.)
v. Sample size and justification
4. Data Collection
i. List of variables
ii. Variable measurement techniques
iii. Instrumentation
iv. A questionnaire, if used, is considered an integral part of the proposal
5. Data Analysis
i. Data analysis preparation/coding
ii. What statistical analysis, if any, will be done?
iii. How will the analysis be performed? Statistical software?
iv. What sorts of relationships between variables will be examined?
v. What is the relationship of the analysis to the specific aim or question to
be investigated?
C. Human Experimentation (IRB) Committee Approval
Does the protocol require approval by the Institutional Review Board (IRB)?
Approval must be obtained for research involving human subjects. Extra time must
be set aside for the committee to review the proposal and comment on it prior to the
start of the data gathering phase of the study.
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D. Paper Structure
Your final report should have the following parts:
1. Cover Page
2. Approval Page
3. Acknowledgements
4. Abstract
5. Table of Contents
6. Introduction and Statement of the Problem
7. Review of Literature
8. Study Methodology
9. Results
10. Discussions & Study Limitations
11. Conclusions and Recommendations
12. References (APA style)
13. Appendices
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