PLANNING A RESEARCH PROJECT

By

Dr. Anamika RayAssistant Professor in Mass Communication

Gauhati University, Assam, India

Step-by-step Planning for a Research Project

A. Pre planning

Research begins with an idea.

It needs open, candid discussion.

Parameters should be set to investigate the issue.

Time frame and budget are two very significant factors which play

a pivotal role in research work.

B. Define a problem

The problem of the research should be clear and focused.

Each problem may have multiple interpretation.

The research problem and purpose should be well balanced and

well coordinated.

C. Determine the Purpose

The research project needs the determined purpose to

achieve the targeted goal.

In exploratory study, the purpose is very simple- “What is out

there”.

In descriptive study, it tells “How things are”.

D. Identify Constrains

Ideally perusing a research project and reasonably doing the same

sometimes give a different picture.

Ethics in research sometimes impose limitations on the progress of

project. Considering all aspects the feasible out come more often

depends on the available resource.

Time and money can be very influential constrains at the time of

designing a research project.

Availability of required manpower, space and equipment may give a

different dimension to the project.

E. Reviewing the research literature

Review of literature helps to know about the already done work

on the same research area.

It helps to provide methodology guidance to conduct the project

smoothly.

F. About the data

The data collected from primary sources is more beneficial than

that of secondary sources.

Primary data is considered more authentic.

Primary data is collected by the researcher from the field.

In case of secondary data the researcher reports on someone else’s

research work.

G. Deciding the other factors

Proper required objectives (not more than 3) should be selected to

continue the project.

The project should have a concrete hypothesis. It serves as a guide

for planning, collecting and analyzing data and reporting the

findings.

Easy and comfortable research design should be made to conduct

the project.

H. Research Project must follow-

Three basic parts:

a. Choosing a method

b. Developing a methodology appropriate to that method

c. Data collection and data analysis

I. Choosing the method-

Experiment :- In the classic experiment, sub subjects are divided into a test group that receives a stimulus and a control group that is not exposed to that stimulus.

Survey :- Best option for collecting large amount of data.

Content analysis :- It is a systematic investigation of messages in fixed format – a survey of documents, broadly defined.

Focus group :- It is a small group discussion facilitated by a moderator.

Observational research :- The researcher collects the data through observation in a natural setting.

J. Developing the methodology-

The research methodology includes determining how to choose the

subject for the study and how to observe the phenomenon of

interest.

K. Working out the logistics-

It includes locating facilities, schedule in work and preparing and pre testing the materials that will be needed for the actual data collection.

L. Doing the research work-

Collect the necessary data and analyze them using the appropriate quantitative and qualitative procedure.

M. Report Preparation

Finally report preparation based on the research work. It should be comprehensive and focused.

Thank You