Not all grants get funded upon first submission. Any changes in the resubmitted project should be either bold-faced, underlined, or italicized or set off from the surrounding text in a clearly delineated fashion. You would be astounded at how many proposals are resubmitted without even acknowledgment of the previous review. Clearly state the goals, objectives, and hypotheses at the earliest possible point in the proposal. Then be sure to show how the methods will be linked to obtaining data related directly to the specific objectives.
All measurements typically involve variability.
Whether these are measurements of exposure to Polycylic Aromatic Hydrocarbons or personal questionnaires assessing individual perceptions of an event or activity. As a result, one of the weakest sections of most proposals is the statistical experimental design to assure adequate number of samples will be evaluated. While it is difficult to predict the exact number of experiments needed in an investigation where the results of the first series of experiments will determine which or what experiments will follow it is essential to estimate the overall numbers of measures to be made. This is vital for justifying the time line of the investigation as well as demonstrating to the reviewer that you are clearly aware of the extent and problems of the experiments to be undertaken. Do not assume that because you have had a statistics course and have a statistical software package on your computer that you have either an adequate statistical experimental design or have determined the correct statistical procedures for evaluation of your data.