Research proposal and report guidelines, format and procedures_22.02.2023.ppt

this explains and guides on proposal writing

1. Research proposal and Report
Guidelines, format and procedures
Juliana Namutundu
22
nd
February 2023
03/02/25 1

2. Session Objectives
1)Be able to define a research concept, a research proposal
and a research report
2)Differentiate a research proposal from a research report
3)Know what determines the guidelines for writing a research
proposal or research report
4)Know the format for writing the MakSPH dissertation
concept, proposal and report (thesis)
5)Know the procedures of writing a dissertation proposal or
dissertation report (thesis)

3. Key definitions
•What is a research concept
•What is a research proposal?
•What is a research report?

4. Differences between a research proposal and a report
Research proposal
•Is written before conducting
the study
•Is written in future tense
•Communicates what, who,
where and how the
researcher intends to
conduct their research
•Does not have results,
discussion, conclusion and
recommendations
Research report
•Is written after conducting
the research
•Is written in past tense
•Communicates what, who,
where, how and what the
researcher found after
conducting their research
•Has results, discussion,
conclusion and
recommendations
03/02/25 4

5. Guidelines for proposal or report writing
•Know the targeted audiences or purpose
•Research grant
•Dissertation
•Program evaluation
•Know the main area of focus
• Epidemiology
• Health Systems
• Health Informatics
• etc
These determine: structure, content, scope, presentation style
and key points emphasized

6. Structure of a dissertation proposal (1)
•Title page
•Preliminary pages
•Declaration – with section for student and supervisors’ signatures
•Table of contents
•Acronyms and abbreviations (ensure to write in full when used for
first time in the text and put in brackets then use abbreviation
onwards)
•Operational definitions
•Abstract
•Chapter 1:
•1.0 Introduction and Background
•1.1 Introduction
•1.2 Background
•Chapter 2:
•2.0 Literature review
 
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7. Structure of a dissertation proposal (2)
•Chapter 3:
•3.0 Statement of the problem, Justification, conceptual framework
–3.1 Statement of the Problem
–3.2 Justification
–3.3 Conceptual framework and narrative
• Chapter 4:
•4.0 Research Questions and Study Objectives
–4.1 Research Questions (or hypothesis)
–4.2 Study Objectives
»4.2.1 General Objective
»4.2.2 Specific objectives
•Chapter 5
•5.0 Methodology
–5.1 Study area
–5.2 Study Design and research methods (approach)
–5.3 Study Population
–5.4 Inclusion and exclusion criteria
–5.5 Sample size
–5.6 Sampling procedure
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8. Structure of a dissertation proposal (3)
Methodology continued…………
–5.7 Study variables
»5.7.1 Dependent variable/Outcome variable – and its measurement
»5.7.2 Independent variables/Exposures and their measurement
–5.8 Data collection
»5.8.1 Data collection tools
–5.9 Quality Assurance and Control
»5.9.1 Training of research assistants
»5.9.2 Pre-testing
»5.9.3 Field editing of data
»5.9.4 Missing data
–5.10 Data Management and analysis
»5.10.1 Data management
»5.10.2 Data analysis
–5.11 Ethical Considerations
–5.12 Anticipated study Limitations and how you intend to minimize
them
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9. Structure of a dissertation proposal (4)
•References:
–Citation and Referencing should be done using a software eg EndNOTE
–Use Havard (or Vancouver style)and stick to one type throughout the
book.
•Appendices or Annexes
–Consent forms
– Data collection tools
–Budget
–Project timelines
03/02/25 9

10. Format of a dissertation report (thesis)
Please note: A dissertation report has all sections of the
proposal (written in past tense) plus the following additional
sections.
•Chapter 6
•6.0 Results
•Chapter Discussion
•7.0 Discussion of results
•7.1 Limitations of the study and how they were minimized (these are
moved from the methods section)
•Chapter 8
•8.0 Conclusions and Recommendations
•8.1 Conclusions
•8.2 Recommendations
–References and appendices- consents forms and data
collection tool (do not include the budget and timelines)
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11. Procedures of writing a dissertation proposal
1)Know your area of interest
2)Identify a research problem
oSeveral ways in which to identify a problem
oReviewing existing literature in area of interest to identify a
research gap
oFrom experience during field attachment
oInteracting with experts in the area of interest
oAt your work place
oOthers…………
3)Review literature to help you refine the problem and place it
in context with existing literature
4) Review similar studies to guide you in the writing process
and methodology
5)Consult with colleagues Supervisors and keep reading

12. Procedures of writing a dissertation report
1)Builds on what you had in the dissertation proposal
2)A good proposal will give you good results and
therefore a good report
3)Read other reports and manuscripts in order to
learn from them
4)……
Always Remember
•Proposals and reports keep evolving so expect changes along the way
•Writing a good proposal or report takes time and commitment
•Writing is a skill that you will acquire not in class butt with practice
•It is your work, own it and take the lead