How to write Research Proposal notes by SANJU SAH.pptx

Writing a research proposal involves outlining a clear, focused research question, detailing objectives and significance, and reviewing relevant literature. It should include a well-structured methodology, explaining data collection and analysis plans. Additionally, it must address potential challenges, propose a timeline, and highlight the research's potential impact and contributions to the field.

1. Research proposal Prepared by- SANJU SAH St. Xavier's college, Maitighar, Kathmandu MS.C. Microbiology Department

2. Research proposal A document written by a researcher that provides a detailed description of the proposed program, it is like an outline of the entire research process that gives a reader a summary of the information discussed in a project A research proposal sets out the broad topic you would like to research (substance), what the research would set out to achieve (aims and objectives), how you would go about researching it (methodology), how you would undertake it within the time available (outline plan) and what the results might be in relation to knowledge and understanding in the subject (potential outcomes)

3. Purpose of a Research Proposal Research proposal is intended to convince others that you have a worthwhile research project and that you have the competence and the work-plan to complete it. The purpose of a proposal is to sell your idea to the funding agency. This means that the investigator must convince the funding agency that: The problem is significant and worthy of study The technical approach is novel and likely to yield results The investigator and his/her research team is/are the right group of individuals to carry out and accomplish the work described in the research proposal.

4. Importance of research proposal Helps examine what the researcher intends t o do. Research proposal can serve as a document of contract for the project. Research proposals can be effective starting places to discuss projects with your professors, too. The research proposal is able to give an overview of the research project so that other people understand the scope of the research, the significance of the research, as well as your proposed methodology and chosen research method.

5. Advantages of research proposal Fund to support your research Allow you to review and critically evaluate your current research program Convince yourself and others that your research is worth supporting Keep you focused on your research program Develop novel ideas during writing proposal

6. Relationship of research proposal with research Research proposal is a plan ,and research is action. Research proposal is compulsory for approving proposed research. Research proposal is a schedule and research is activity. Research proposal is a mirror of research Research proposal is a blue print of research. Research proposal can serve as a document of contract for the project.

7. Types of research proposal: two major types Internal research proposal Academic research proposal Non-academic research proposal External research proposal Solicited research proposal Unsolicited research proposal

8. Internal research proposal Academic: An academic proposal is the first step in producing a thesis or major project. Its intent is to convince a supervisor or academic committee that your topic and approach are sound, Non-academic: This one is not for degree requirement that is submitted by a university or a college teacher to some research organization.

9. External research proposal Solicited : Solicited proposals are those that are written and submitted in response to the issuance of a "Request for Proposals" (RFP), a document that identifies a specific research problem of interest to the funding agency for which they are specifically seeking a solution. Interested investigator then submits a “concept” or "white paper" briefly outlining their proposed solution to the problem. If the funding agency or company is interested, they may then request that the investigator submit a full proposal for consideration of funding.

10. External research proposal Unsolicited : Unsolicited proposals are those proposals that are submitted by an investigator in response to a "general call" for proposals that is issued by a funding agency or company in a field or area of study.

11. Elements of a Research Proposal Title Abstract Table of Content Section A: Introduction Section B: Review of the Related Literature Section C: Methodology Section D: Ethical/ Legal Consideration Section E: Time Schedule References

12. Title Precise and accurate Unambiguous Avoid extremely long titles

13. A b s t r act Is a summary of the whole research; Main purpose is to summarize the research (particularly the objective and the main finding/conclusion), NOT to introduce the research area. Has a maximum word limit; An abstract should briefly: Re-establish the topic of the research. Give the research problem and/or main objective of the research (this usually comes first). Indicate the methodology used. Present the main findings and conclusion.

14. Introduction Orient the readers towards the topic. Explain the importance and relevance of the topic Justifies the choice of the topic. Research question/hypothesis .

15. Section A :Introduction Background of the study Statement of the problem Research questions Research Objectives Significance of the study Scope of the study Delimitations of the study Assumptions of the study Definitions of key terms

16. Background of the study “The introduction is the part of the paper that provides readers with the background information for the research reported in the paper. Its purpose is to establish a framework for the research, so that readers can understand how it is related to other research” (Wilkinson, 1991, p. 96).

17. In an introduction, the writer should create reader interest in the topic, lay the broad foundation for the problem that leads to the study, place the study within the larger context of the scholarly literature, and reach out to a specific audience. (Creswell, 1994, p. 42)

18. Statement of the Problem “ The problem statement describes the context for the study and it also identifies the general analysis approach” (Wiersma, 1995). Should indicate why the researcher needs to be done and what will be its relevance. Conveys information about a research problem. A problem statement is a clear description of the issue(s), it includes a vision, issue statement, and method used to solve the problem. The 5 'W's can be used to spark the discussion about the problem. A problem statement expresses the words that will be used to keep the effort focused and it should represent a solveable problem

19. ob j e c ti v e The OBJECTIVES of a research project summaries what is to be achieved by the study. Objectives should be closely related to the statement of the problem. For example, if the problem identified is low utilization of child welfare clinics, the general objective of the study could be to identify the reasons for this low utilization, in order to find solutions.

20. The general objective of a study states what researchers expect to achieve by the study in general terms. It is possible (and advisable) to break down a general objective into smaller, logically connected parts. These are normally referred to as specific objectives. Specific objectives should systematically address the various aspects of the problem as defined under ‘Statement of the Problem’ and the key factors that are assumed to influence or cause the problem. They should specify what you will do in your study, where and for what purpose .

21. Research Hypotheses Based on your experience with the study problem, it might be possible to develop explanations for the problem, which can then be tested. If so, you can formulate hypotheses in addition to the study objectives. A HYPOTHESIS is a prediction of a relationship between one or more factors and the problem under study that can be tested. a hypothesis represents a declarative statement of the relations between two or more variables (Kerlinger, 1979; Krathwohl, 1988).

22. Hypotheses Build the case to support the hypothesis with literature and data---no reinventing the wheel Seeing is believing: Use schematic figures or diagrams to help reviewers understand your model and idea State your hypothesis clearly in the abstract and specific aims; alternative hypothesis in case

23. Research Questions Questions are relevant to normative or census type research (How many of them are there? Is there a relationship between them?). They are most often used in qualitative inquiry, although their use in quantitative inquiry is becoming more prominent. A research question poses a relationship between two or more variables but phrases the relationship as a question; (Kerlinger, 1979; Krathwohl, 1988).

24. Significance of the Study Indicate how your research will refine, revise, or extend existing knowledge in the area under investigation. Note that such refinements, revisions, or extensions may have either substantive, theoretical, or methodological significance. Think pragmatically (i.e., cash value). This can be a difficult section to write. Think about implications— how results of the study may affect scholarly research, theory, practice, educational interventions, curricula, counseling, policy.

25. When thinking about the significance of your study, ask yourself the following questions.  What will results mean to the theoretical framework that framed the study?  What suggestions for subsequent research arise from the findings?  What will the results mean to the practicing educator?  Will results influence programs, methods, and/or interventions?  Will results contribute to the solution of educational problems?  Will results influence educational policy decisions?  What will be improved or changed as a result of the proposed research?  How will results of the study be implemented, and what innovations will come about?

26. Limitations and Delimitations A limitation identifies potential weaknesses of the study. Think about your analysis, the nature of self-report, your instruments, the sample. Think about threats to internal validity that may have been impossible to avoid or minimize—explain .

27. A delimitation addresses how a study will be narrowed in scope, that is, how it is bounded. This is the place to explain the things that you are not doing and why you have chosen not to do them—the literature you will not review (and why not), the population you are not studying (and why not), the methodological procedures you will not use (and why you will not use them). Limit your delimitations to the things that a reader might reasonably expect you to do but that you, for clearly explained reasons, have decided not to do.

28. Operational Definitions of Key Terms <ul><li>An operational definition is a demonstration of a process – such as a variable , term , or object – in terms of the specific process or set of validation tests used to determine its presence and quantity. /ul><ul><li>This section provides operational definition of terms that are unusual or unfamiliar. It identifies precisely the names of concepts, tests, or participants introduced in the Statement of the Problem and employed in the Hypotheses /ul><ul><li>Properties described in this manner must be sufficiently accessible, so that persons other than the definer may independently measure or test for them at will

29. 27. Example <ul><li>Corporate Social Responsibility /ul><ul><li>Operational Definition: /ul><ul><li>CSR is about how companies manage the business processes to produce an overall positive impact on society. /ul><ul><li>Accommodated independent person /ul><ul><li>Operational Definition /ul><ul><li>accommodated independent person is an independent person living in the parental home

30. Review of the Related Literature “ The review of the literature provides the background and context for the research problem. It should establish the need for the research and indicate that the writer is knowledgeable about the area” (Wiersma, 1995, p. 406). The literature review accomplishes several important things. It relates a study to the larger, ongoing dialogue in the literature about a topic, filling in gaps and extending prior studies (Marshall & Rossman, 1989).

31. Literature review It shares with the reader the results of other studies that are closely related to the study being reported (Fraenkel & Wallen, 1990). It prevents the duplication of work that has been done before. Theoretical framework A summary.

32. Work Plan Include the major phases of the project: estimate when you will start each stage of the work, and how long it will take. Sequencing, flow and timeline of the study.

33. Component of research proposal Methodology Subjective Interviews Questionnaires Discussions Surveys Objective Experimental Use of measuring devices Use of recording devices

34. Section C: Methodology Design of the study Population and sampling Research Instruments Pilot study Instrument Reliability and Validity Method of Data Collection Plan of Data Analysis

35. Research Design Design – a description of the approach to be used to reach objectives. Clearly indicate the methods of data collection either within a quantitative or qualitative methodology ; as well as the techniques for data collection, e.g. questionnaires, and measurement (the validation of the techniques). Indicate whether field workers will be used to collect data and whether computer programmes will be employed to analyse the data

36. Population and Sampling A population can be defined as including all people or items with the characteristic one wishes to understand Population sampling refers to the process through which a group of representative individuals is selected from a population for the purpose of statistical analysis

37. POPULATION AND SAMPLING Indicate your sampling techniques , e.g.: Quantitative Cluster Random Sampling Size of sample Population Experimental and control groups Prevention of bias, etc

38. Apparatus and/or Instruments In this subsection of the method section you describe any apparatus and or instruments you propose to use in your research study. The following information should be included: General description of the apparatus or instruments. Variables measured by instruments. Reliability and validity of instruments. Why the instruments or apparatus are used. Reference indicating where apparatus or instruments can be obtained.

39. Data Collection Outline the general plan for collecting the data. This may include survey administration procedures, interview or observation procedures. Include an explicit statement covering the field controls to be employed. If appropriate, discuss how you obtained entré

40. Data Analysis Specify the procedures you will use, and label them accurately (e.g., ANOVA, MANCOVA, HLM, ethnography, case study, grounded theory). If coding procedures are to be used, describe in reasonable detail. If you triangulated, carefully explain how you went about it. Communicate your precise intentions and reasons for these intentions to the reader. This helps you and the reader evaluate the choices you made and procedures you followed. Indicate briefly any analytic tools you will have available and expect to use (e.g., Ethnograph, NUDIST, AQUAD, SAS, SPSS, SYSTAT). Provide a well thought-out rationale for your decision to use the design, methodology, and analyses you have selected.

41. Section D: Ethical/ Legal Consideration Human research participants need: • Informed consent • Voluntary participation • Restricted use of deception • Debriefing • Confidentiality

42. Section E: Time Schedule This section indicates exactly what will be done, the sequence of the various activities, and the products of deliverables that will be prepared. Specify the tasks, deliverables, and schedule in some detail, although there is usually some latitude for offerers. In preparing grant proposals, there is more freedom to define the tasks. In both cases, it is important that the proposed task structure includes all of the activities necessary for completing the project. Planning a viable schedule for carrying out the tasks is often as important as developing a comprehensive list of tasks.

43. References List all references cited in the proposal. Make sure these references are:  Up-to-date  Relevant  Original source

44. The common error in proposal writing Too much detail on minor issues, but not enough detail on major issues Too many citation lapses and incorrect references Sloppy writing Failure to state all of the basic assumptions that are relevant to the study. Concerns irrelevant assumptions. Selecting unsubstantiated assumptions which cannot be defended by any logic, empirical evidence.

45. Evaluation of research proposal 1.Problem identification: Is the problem/line of enquiry clearly defined? Is the basic research problem well formulated, or is it poorly and vaguely structured? Is it briefly and concisely stated?

46. Evaluation of research proposal 2.Background to the research problem Has there been an adequate description of the background to the problem either under a separate heading or as part of the literature? 3.Literature review Is there clear evidence of a thorough review of the literature? Is there a theoretical engagement with the relevant literature?

47. Evaluation of research proposal 4.Conceptual framework Has a suitable hypothesis (or hypotheses) been formulated, or has a suitable research question (or research questions) been stated? 5.Objectives Have the objectives been stated clearly? 6.Research design Is the project and research design well structured and outlined, or is it poorly articulated? Has the research methodology been articulated clearly?

48. Evaluation of research proposal 7.Significance Why is it important to undertake this research? Whom will it benefit or to whom will it be important? Has the expected outcome (or outcomes) of the research been clearly identified? 8.Feasibility Is the problem researchable and is it feasible? Do the preliminary data and available resources support its feasibility? Does the candidate’s academic profile or potential support his/her ability to accomplish the project?

49. Evaluation of research proposal 9.Other general comments Is the proposal well structured or poorly compiled? If the latter, what should be done to make it a well-structured proposal? 10. Language Has the research proposal been proofread and edited?