1_ProposalWriting research method course.pptx

This document helps you how to write your effective proposal

1. Outline Introduction What is a Proposal? Call for Proposals Nature of calls, what to expect from calls Logical Framework or Results Framework Definitions, similarity and differences Discussion of Logical Framework Large scale development or capacity building type projects Small scale research oriented projects

2. WHAT IS A PROPOSAL? A proposal is a document prepared in response to a call that describes what is intended to be done, how it will be carried out, what inputs are needed and what time it will take. The intention of a proposal is to convince the funder or evaluators. The funder or evaluators can only know on what the proposal is all about from the document you submit. The funders or evaluators usually have to go through a number of competing documents.

3. A proposal can be for a small scale or large scale funding An M.Sc. thesis research proposal is an example of a small scale proposal Mekelle University’s NORAD or former MU-IUC are examples of large scale projects Irrespective of the size a proposal has to describe: intent, how, inputs and time WHAT IS A PROPOSAL?

4. Funding organization require different formats for the preparation of proposals. However the formats are mostly based on a logical or results framework approach. Understanding the approach and strictly following the required format is very, very important. The approaches or formats are needed to document the intent, how, inputs and time in a logical manner. Any person be it evaluator, person appraising the project or monitoring the progress of the project etc. can easily understand. WHAT IS A PROPOSAL?

5. CALL FOR PROPOSAL Call for proposals is the initial point to think about writing a proposal. Call for proposals mainly specify: The thematic area Eligibility criteria Guide for writing the proposal Evaluation criteria Available funding Deadline It is obvious that one should clearly understand the call for proposals before writing a proposal.

6. How do we get the information about a call Through announcements Invited for the call Browsing the Internet etc. Sharing the Call The one who has received the information should summarize the main points of the call and how to go about it Just forwarding the message is not enough! CALL FOR PROPOSAL

7. LOGICAL FRAMEWORK OR RESULTS FRAMEWORK Both are project planning and monitoring approaches. Both were developed by donors to plan and monitor projects. World Bank, USAID, GiZ , NORAD extensively use the approaches and have contributed in developing the approaches. Logical Framework (Log frame) Based on long term impact of projects Goal/Impact, Purpose/Outcome, Output, Activities Results Framework (Strategic Framework) Based on strategic objectives Goal(strategic), Objective (strategic), Intermediate Results (IR)

8. LARGE SCALE PROJECT

9. LARGE SCALE PROJECT

10. Goal/Impact: the higher level objective toward which the project is expected to contribute. Impact to mean long-term improvements for the society. Purpose/Outcome: the effect which is expected to be achieved as the result of the project. Outcomes are the intended, intermediate effects on the target groups. LARGE SCALE PROJECT

11. Outputs: the results which the project management should be able to guarantee. Outputs are quantitative results; products or services which are relevant for the achievement of outcomes. Activities: tasks (need input) that should be undertaken by the project to produce outputs. LARGE SCALE PROJECT

12. LARGE SCALE PROJECT

13. Objectively Verifiable Indicators (OVI) Goal, Purpose and Outputs should have OVI Indicators must be valid, reliable, precise, cost effective and stated independently from other levels. Indicators should make clear how the target group will benefit from the realization of outputs. LARGE SCALE PROJECT

14. Means of Verification ( MoV ) What is the means of verifying whether the indicators have been achieved or not? Specific sources of information from which the status of the indicators can be verified. MoV may include from project reports, feedback from beneficiaries, by carrying out assessment etc. Important Assumptions (Risks) What are the important assumptions if fulfilled (or risks) that may affect the success (failure) of achieving the Goal, Purpose or Output? Assumptions (risks) are external conditions Assumptions (risks) are part of the logic such that if the assumption are fulfilled then we will have results. LARGE SCALE PROJECT

15. Inputs: human resources, materials, software, hardware, services etc. needed to perform a specific activity. Once the inputs and the time needed to accomplish the activities are known the budget required may then be estimated. Usually project schedule and budget have to be attached to the logical framework LARGE SCALE PROJECT

16. SMALL SCALE PROJECT Problem Background Problem Statement General Objective Specific Objectives Methodology Expected Results Project Schedule Budget

17. SMALL SCALE PROJECT Some questions Difference between Problem background versus Problem statement? Specific objectives versus activities? Methodology versus activities? Objectives versus Expected results?

18. Problem Background Sometimes titled as Justification or Motivation The purpose is to describe the existing problem, current issues or research gap One can state what has already been done or/and what has not been done with respect to the topic Problem Statement This is a brief statement or a paragraph that describes the problem to be addressed by the project. Or this is the gap that has been identified to be addressed by the project. SMALL SCALE PROJECT

19. Objectives General objective(s) States the aim of the project such that it significantly or fully addresses the problem stated. Specific objectives Specific objectives contribute to the general objective Each specific objective to be accomplished fully with in the project time and resources Specific objectives to be achieved through some kind of method and using some kind of material resources Specific objectives are not activities but specific objectives need some activities and inputs to be accomplished SMALL SCALE PROJECT

20. Methodology Describe the method (and materials) to be used to achieve each specific objective The description should be clear and complete enough such that any other research can repeat the work The major activities and inputs need may then be outlined for each objective Methods can be: Numerical Experimental Case studies SMALL SCALE PROJECT

21. Expected Result (sometimes Expected Output/Outcome) It is something that is expected as a result of the project intervention. Expected result is something deliverable by the project Expected result can be something physical, document, change of behavior etc. SMALL SCALE PROJECT

22. Project Schedule Grouped under specific objectives, the activities are outlined The responsible person, institute, etc is assigned The time period is assigned: monthly or quarterly The budget may be also assigned but commonly not necessary Use of Gantt Chart is useful SMALL SCALE PROJECT

23. Budget Support the activities discussed in the proposal with appropriate and reasonable budget Budget which does not reflect at activity level should not be included Good budget estimates can be proposed if you make the budget breakdown not too specific It has to be within the budget limit of the call but unnecessary scaling up of budget to reach the maximum budget allowed may have negative effect in evaluation process. SMALL SCALE PROJECT