How to Write a Research How to Write a Research ProposalProposal

Prof: Dr. Saleem KhanProf: Dr. Saleem Khan

OutlinesOutlines Title Title AbstractAbstract Introduction Introduction Background Information Background Information Literature ReviewLiterature Review Methods Methods Results Results Discussion Discussion Cover PageCover Page Acknowledgement Acknowledgement Table of ContentsTable of Contents Common Mistake in Proposal WritingCommon Mistake in Proposal Writing

What is Research?What is Research? ““A diligent and systematic inquiry or A diligent and systematic inquiry or

investigation into a subject in order investigation into a subject in order to discover facts and principles”.to discover facts and principles”.

1- Title:-1- Title:- An effective title attracts the reader’s An effective title attracts the reader’s

interest. interest. Should be precise, specific and Should be precise, specific and

descriptive descriptive

2- Abstract 2- Abstract Need one page (150-200 words) abstract of Need one page (150-200 words) abstract of

the research proposal. It should be short the research proposal. It should be short precise and complete. The abstract of precise and complete. The abstract of Biological Research must in brief contain the Biological Research must in brief contain the following points following points

- Background - Background - Aim of the Research - Aim of the Research - Methods used - Methods used - Results - Results - Conclusion of the research - Conclusion of the research

experiment experiment

3- Introduction:-3- Introduction:- The introduction begins with a general The introduction begins with a general

statement of the problem area statement of the problem area With a focus on research problems to be followed by With a focus on research problems to be followed by

the the Rationale/Justification for the proposed study. Rationale/Justification for the proposed study. should stress on the research problem, which is should stress on the research problem, which is

often referred asoften referred as purpose of the studypurpose of the study Rationale , JustificationRationale , Justification States the Research Questions, its importance States the Research Questions, its importance Major problems and sub problems to be addressed Major problems and sub problems to be addressed

by researchby research Identify key dependent and independent variablesIdentify key dependent and independent variables Set the delimitations of your proposed researchSet the delimitations of your proposed research Presents rationale of the proposed study and Presents rationale of the proposed study and

indicate why it is worth doing.indicate why it is worth doing.

4- Background Information:-4- Background Information:- Identification of ProblemIdentification of Problem Economic Importance Economic Importance Geographical situation (Research Geographical situation (Research

Location)Location) Environmental Condition Environmental Condition

5- Literature Review:-5- Literature Review:- - It serves several important functions- It serves several important functions - Ensures that you are not reinventing the - Ensures that you are not reinventing the

“wheele”“wheele” - Demonstrates you r knowledge of the research - Demonstrates you r knowledge of the research

problemproblem - Your ability to evaluate relevant literature - Your ability to evaluate relevant literature

informationinformation - Understanding of research issues related to - Understanding of research issues related to

your research questionyour research question - convinces the reader that the research will - convinces the reader that the research will

make significant andmake significant and enough contribution to the literature. enough contribution to the literature.

8- Methods:- 8- Methods:- - The methods section is very important.- The methods section is very important. - It tells how you to plain to tackle your research problem.- It tells how you to plain to tackle your research problem. - It will provide your work plan and activities necessary for - It will provide your work plan and activities necessary for Implementation of your research project. Implementation of your research project. Appropriate Field design (Statistics)Appropriate Field design (Statistics) Location of experiment Location of experiment No. of experiments and replications No. of experiments and replications Soil description (brief)Soil description (brief) Prevailing temperature, humidityPrevailing temperature, humidity Recording of data/parametersRecording of data/parameters Dependent and Independent variablesDependent and Independent variables Statistical analysis (Graphs, Tables) Statistical analysis (Graphs, Tables) Analysis of VarianceAnalysis of Variance Regression, Interaction Regression, Interaction Separation of means: Fisher’s protected LSD Separation of means: Fisher’s protected LSD

9-Results:-9-Results:- This a very important section This a very important section - Expected Results- Expected Results - Problem/Objectives of the proposal- Problem/Objectives of the proposal - Expected conclusion & recommendations - Expected conclusion & recommendations - Suggested future research if any - Suggested future research if any Obviously you do not have results at the Obviously you do not have results at the

proposal stage. However, you need to have proposal stage. However, you need to have some idea about what kind of data you will some idea about what kind of data you will be collecting, and what statistical be collecting, and what statistical procedures will be used in order to answer procedures will be used in order to answer your research question or test you your research question or test you hypothesishypothesis

10 Discussion:-10 Discussion:- - - Potential impact of the proposed Potential impact of the proposed

research research - Limitation and weakness of the - Limitation and weakness of the

proposed research proposed research

11- Cover Page11- Cover Page The cover page must contain:The cover page must contain: The name of the student, if it is a The name of the student, if it is a

team work then the names of the team work then the names of the teem members.teem members.

The name of instructor The name of instructor Affiliated University Affiliated University Date of SubmissionDate of Submission Title of Research Title of Research

12- Acknowledgement 12- Acknowledgement This page comes after the cover This page comes after the cover

page page

13- Table of Contents 13- Table of Contents This should guide the reader where This should guide the reader where

to find the specific pages of the to find the specific pages of the project. Number the pages of the project. Number the pages of the research paper make sure to number research paper make sure to number all diagrams, tables, accurately all diagrams, tables, accurately

1414- - Common Mistakes in Proposal Writing:-Common Mistakes in Proposal Writing:- Failure to provide the proper context to frame the Failure to provide the proper context to frame the

research question.research question. Failure to delimit the boundary conditions for your Failure to delimit the boundary conditions for your

research.research. Failure to cite landmark studies.Failure to cite landmark studies. Failure to accurately present the theoretical and Failure to accurately present the theoretical and

empirical contributions by other researchers.empirical contributions by other researchers. Failure to stay focused on the research question.Failure to stay focused on the research question. Failure to develop a coherent and persuasive Failure to develop a coherent and persuasive

argument for the proposed research.argument for the proposed research. Too much detail on minor issues, but not enough Too much detail on minor issues, but not enough

detail on major issues.detail on major issues. Too much rambling going “all over the map” Too much rambling going “all over the map”

without a clear sense of direction.without a clear sense of direction. Too many citation lapses and incorrect Too many citation lapses and incorrect

references.references. Too long or too short.Too long or too short. Not following the APA styleNot following the APA style

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