In my pitch, I stated that I was intending to focus on body image in women throughout Australia; however, several of the comments said I needed to narrow my topic. After looking more closely at the grant I am applying for, which is limited to $3000, I have decided to take this advice on board. In order to narrow the focus, I carried out additional research to see which groups were more likely to be affected by body image issues. Initially, I felt that this would be young women.

According to Eating Disorders Victoria, for this group eating disorders are the third most common illness and the average age women begin to display signs of anorexia is 17. However, what surprised me in my research was how common eating disorders were in older women as well. In 2014, Marshall, Lengyel and Menes conducted a study on body image and older women.

Their research shows that many women battle against body image issues for most of their lives and, as they age, there is a desire to “fight” against nature. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, at the time of the last census in 2011, the largest age group was between 40 and 44. Therefore, I have narrowed my research topic to body image in Australian women aged between 40 and 44.

This explains the feedback provided and how it has been used. You may also have been given feedback that you chose not to use. For example:

One comment I received recommended I also look at body image in men. It is certainly true that body image issues impact on men, a study by the Victorian Government in 2009 showed that “body image dissatisfaction for Western men is estimated to have tripled in the last 25 years from 15 to 45 per cent”, however the grant that I am applying for is specifically targeted at research designed to improve the lives of Australian women.

If you feel that the feedback you have received is not sufficient for the Feedback Analysis, we suggest that you look at what other students included in their presentations; for example:

A peer’s presentation included a discussion of the ethical considerations involved in their research study. I realized that this was something I had not engaged with, but will be very important in the grant application. In some individuals, body image issues can be a clinical disorder known as Body Dysmorphic Disorder and can be classified as a mental illness. According to the National Statement on Ethical Conduct in Human Research, people with mental illnesses are considered a vulnerable population and there are specific guidelines which must be followed before ethics approval will be given. In order to meet these requirements I would.