Institute of Professional StudiesSchool of Research and Graduate

Studies

Writing a Research Proposal

Lecture Three

Outline of Presentation Introduction What is a research Proposal? Importance or Relevance of a research

proposal Component of a research proposal Guidelines to writing a good research

proposal Criteria for Evaluating your research

proposal Relationships required to finish your

proposal2

IntroductionEvery Scientific research should commence with the writing of a research proposal even if this is not officially required. It will focus your thought and give your research direction.

Writing the research proposal is the most difficult but most important aspect of conducting the research.

Often times, students who fail to prepare a good research proposal fail to produce quality research report and this a confirmation of the old adage that “failing to plan, is planning to fail”

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My Advice

Invest quality time to produce quality proposal and you will reap the benefit in the form of

quality research

&

What you require to achieve this feat is much reading and reflection, some

brainstorming/mindstorming and a little guidance

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What is a Research Proposal?A research proposal “is a document that outlines how you propose to undertake your research studies” (Mouton 2001:44).

Essentially, it outlineswhat you will research and how you will research it.

The “what” part is called the problem; the “how” part is the plan.

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Research Proposal Cont’d

A proposal describes a problem and sets out a logical and systematic plan to solve it.

Thus, a research proposal should be viewed as that document in research which describes clearly a research problem and provides a detailed plan that the researcher intends or proposes to follow in order to complete the research.

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Relevance or Importance of a research Proposal

The greatest value of writing research proposal is that it provides direction for the researcher and keeps the research on track.

In some instances, the research proposal allows the adjudicator or evaluator to make a decision whether the researcher or the institution has the capacity to undertake the proposed research

The research proposal also makes it possible to determine ahead of time the resources that will be required to undertake the project: budgetary considerations.

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Components of a Research Proposal

There is no single format for research proposals; different disciplines, donor organisations and academic institutions may have different formats and requirements. Thus, it is incumbent on the researcher to find out the requirements.

This notwithstanding, there are however several key components which must be included in every research proposal. This includes: a description of the research topic and the literature survey, motivation for the research, a statement of the problem, a hypothesis or research question, the research methodology to be used, and the sources consulted to write the proposal.8

Cover PageJust like the cover page of any document, the research proposal’s cover page provides information on the following:

The Institute’s LogoProposed title of the research which may change

as your work progressesCandidates name and Index NumberSupervisor(s)’ nameProgramme being offer and the department and

faculty to which the proposal is being submittedDate of submission (preferably the month and

year)Click on the link below for a sample

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Abstract

Brief statement of research question, objectives, answer, significance.

Short, powerful, attention-getting.

Usually repeats the first paragraph of Problem Statement

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BackgroundThis is an important part of the proposal that should inform the reader why you feel the research you are proposing or planning is worth the effort.

It may be expressed in the form of a problem that needs solving or something that you find exciting and has aroused your curiosity

Its purpose is to establish a framework for the research, so that readers can understand how it is related to other research. In this regard, it should clarify where your proposal fits into the debate in the literature by demonstrating your knowledge of the relevant literature.

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Background Cont’d

The background information may also contain:Brief description(s) of the relevant concept(s)Explanations of relationships between variablesStylized facts if anyMotivation for the interest in the research

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Problem StatementThe background should smoothly lead into a statement of the research problem.

“A research problem might be defined as the issue that exists in the literature, theory, or practice that leads to a need for the study”

The research problem should be stated as single sentence ( or at most a short paragraph). You may elucidate but try to keep it as simple, clear and precise as possible.

The research problem may be formulated as a statement, a question or purpose.

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Problem Statement Cont’dThe problem statement needs to be clearly defined and delimited with such precision so as to leave no confusion or ambiguity as to what the research is about and what it aims to accomplish

Effective problem statements answer the question “Why does this research need to be conducted.” If a researcher is unable to answer this question clearly and precisely, then the statement of the problem will come off as ambiguous and diffuse.

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Research Questions/Hypotheses

Based on the identified research problem, the researcher must be able clearly state the research question(s) and/or hypotheses. Remember that every research seeks to answer a research question.

A research question poses a relationship between two or more variables but phrases the relationship as a question;

A hypothesis represents a declarative statement of the relationship between two or more variables.15

Research ObjectivesThis states what the study seeks to investigate, interrogate or achieve. It is usually a restatement of the research question(s) in a goal-oriented form.

Where possible, the research objectives should be categorized into the General objective and the specific objectives.

Broadly, the general objective is usually a restatement of the research topic while the specific objectives are sub-objectives that need to be achieved in order to achieve the broader or general objective.

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Research Objectives Cont’dIn stating the research objectives, ensure that they are: Specific and concrete [you & others can attain them and agree they have been attained] Measurable [Specify the criteria by which you will know you have found what you are looking for. note: the criteria may but need not numerical]. Researchable [Question can be answered in reasonable time with reasonable funds]

Indeed you are using the SMART criteriaAs well, the research objectives should be: declarative prioritized – listed in order of priority.

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Justification of the Study

It indicates how your research will refine, revise, or extend existing knowledge in the area under investigation.

Build on limitations cited in literature review; indicate that your research will overcome the limitations of some other studies.

Justification of the study can be advancing theory, offering application to critical social problems, filling a critical void in a field of knowledge, opening new ways of thinking about an area of investigation.

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Significance of the StudyWhen thinking about the significance of your study, ask yourself the following questions:

1.What will the results of the study mean to the theoretical framework that framed the study?

2.What suggestions for subsequent research may arise from the findings?

3.What will the results mean to the practicing educator?4.Will results influence programs, methods, and/or

interventions and how?5.Will results contribute to the solution of educational

problems?6.Will results influence educational policy decisions?

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Brief Literature ReviewIn a proposal, the literature review is generally brief and to the point.

The literature review provides the background and context for the research problem and should establish the need for the research.

As far as possible, the review should be separated into theoretical and empirical literature.

while the theoretical literature review focuses largely on description and discussion of relevant theories or concepts, the empirical literature review focuses on similar studies done on the subject by summarizing their approaches, findings and conclusion. 20

MethodologyThe methodology describes precisely how the researcher intends to go about achieving his or her research objectives. It should also justify the researchers choice of method in the light of the research objectives.

The research methodology can be divided into three interdependent parts as follows:1.Research Design2.Data collection and3.Data analysis

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Methodology Cont’d: Research Design

The research design gives an overview of the method chosen and the reasons for that choice. Under this section you will need to:1.State and explain the study area/site or where you intend to carry out the research. Justify you r choice by showing that:

i. the “where/what” fits problem situation, maximizes possibility of controlling research information, allows you to answer the questions.

ii. all objectives of research can be met in the “where/what”, in order of priority of objectives.

iii. literature reviewed on that “where/what” is consistent with your choice

iv. You have the skills, knowledge, contacts or experience in relationship to population site.

2.the type of data required and3.the type research

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Methodology Cont’d: Data Collection

The data collection section goes into the detail about how specifically the data will be obtained. It addresses issues such as:

Sampling or SurveyData-gathering methodsInstrumentationMeasurement, Validity and ReliabilitySampling methods or techniques adoptedSampling adequacy

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Methodology Cont’d: Data Analysis

Data analysis refers to the techniques and procedures that will be used to turn or transform the raw data into information that can be used to answer the research questions or address the research objectives. This may involve:•Preparation of data for analysis•Analytical techniques•Methods of reading or interpreting research information

To end, you will need to show that procedures you are adopting for the data analysis will produce answers to the full lists of questions, objectives, hypotheses.

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Timescale/WorkplanIt should provide detail of when each of the activities f the research will be started and completed. Where necessary the anticipated schedule should be organised by days, weeks or months. Remember to:Include pre-research preparations such as language training, archival work etc.Include consultation time. Include time for data analysis. In all these be reasonable, precise and realistic in your estimation. Make room for any unforeseen eventuality that might cause you to delay completion of the project

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BudgetThe budget provides the monetary cost of conducting the research and should include:all personnel salaries, including yourself. Cost of research equipment, computers, photo/video equipment, supplies, travel, training time, insurance, visas, per diem for special trips, medical supplies, fees to informants, gifts to informants or other research related personnel, car or other local transportation, permits and costs of gaining access to research facilities, research assistants/consultants, photocopying, later reproduction or dissemination costs, translation into local language, permits to use archives, purchase texts, indirect costs to universityFactor into your estimation the effects of inflation. Additionally, remember to justify the budget in relation to method/design.

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References

Here, you are providing the list of literature and materials including their authors, date of publication, title and sources.

It is not necessary to try to impress your proposal reader with enormous list of references (Robson, 2002). Only references cited in the text are included in the reference list.

Follow APA guidelines regarding use of references in text and in the reference list.

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Guidelines to Writing a good Research Proposal

Some tips you will find useful are:Always structure your work in advanceKnow what you want to say before trying to write it.Every sentence must contain one idea only.Each sentence must follow logically from the one before. A well written text is a "chain of ideas". While writing, keep your reader's needs in mind. This means providing a "verbal map" of your document so that your reader knows what to expect, and placing "verbal signposts" in your text to explain what is coming next.

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Guidelines to Writing a good Research Proposal Cont’d

Do:produce an original proposal that is

Interesting and captivatingInformative

write in a way that is easy to read and understand

use clear headings and sub-headingsbe concise and preciseconstruct clear and logical argumentscheck your spelling and grammarreference your work fully using an acceptable

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Guidelines to Writing a good Research Proposal Cont’d

Don’t:• use words when you are not absolutely

certain of their meaning• use difficult words to impress your reader• use overly simplistic language• repeat yourself• digress

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Criteria for Evaluating your Research Proposal

Ask yourself:1.If the components of the proposal fit together?2.Can this research be carried out satisfactorily within the timescale and with available resources?

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The Six Relationships Required to finish a Proposal

To successfully complete your research proposal, you need to build and negotiate relationships with: Yourselfsupervisor or supervisory committeerepresentatives of the institutionselected friends, colleagues, family members and supportersotherspilot or trial research activities

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