Page 1 of 3: Tips: Writing a research proposal

shuvo · Credits: 4595 My Scrapbook My Reading List 11 Books

Hope the following piece will be of help to mohankrishna and the others- CHEERS !

Typical components of a research proposal:

Abstract
Background: Problem identification, problem definition and problem justification
Goals and objective
Research questions and hypothesis
Stydy design
Methods
Analysis plan
Plan for interpretation
Plan for dissemination
Logistics
Work schedule
Bibliography
Appendices

A. Background:

It contains-
a. problem identification: This is a statement of problem which requires research.

What is problem?

This is the discrepancy/difference between the real situation (what is) and the expected situation (what should be)

b. Problem definition: This is obtained from the available data.

- Literature review
- Observation
- Expert opinions
- Service statistics

This at least should cover-

-Incidence and prevalence of the problem
-Distribution of the problem- geographical, population group, seasonality
-Possible explanations for the problem

c. Problem justification:

Here is to justify why the problem requires research, this usually covers-

-Relevance to the present context / current ness of the problem
-Size and sufferings of the population
-Public concerns regarding the problem

B. Goal

The goal describes the potential impact of the research ( what is expected to happen). The potential impact of the research could only be achieved if certain assumptions are valid. But these assumptions are not explicit in the statement of goal. The goal usually goes quite far in the future. A research proposal typically has one goal. The goal usually has policy implication.

Example of goal: To reduce infant mortality and morbidity in the rural areas of the country X.

C. Objective:

This describes what will happen through a research. Typically it describes,
- Who, what, why, whom, when, where etc
- Reseach proposal may have several objectives, many researches break down the objectives into immediate or specific objectives.

Example: The institute of x will conduct a case-control study in the district during November-December 2006 to determine the factors which influence drop-out of leprosy patients from the treatment.

D. Hypothesis:

This is a statement of the expected association/ relationship between one or more independent variables and the dependent variable which the study will establish or nullify. It usually guide the research as far as data collection and analysis is concerned.

E. Study design:

This should describe research design, which usually could be of the following types in the epidemiological research.

- Retrospective ( case-control)
- Prospective ( cohort, cilinical trial, case-control)
- Cross-sectional

Selecting an appropriate research design involves a cautious consideration of ethical issues ( eg. Violation of people’s rights and dignity, denial of services that otherwise would be available) and a balancing of technical issues against practical and administrative issues

F. Methods:

This section describes step by step instructions for carrying out the research.
- Study context ( geographical, social, political, environmental etc)
- Study population
- Sampling ( element, size, techniques)
- Variables ( conceptual and operational definitions)
- Data collection methods
- Data collection instruments
- Ethical considerations
- Data quality control ( pre-testing, training, supervision, re-interview, consistency check etc)

G. Analysis plan:

This section describes,
- Coding
- Cleaning
- Entry
- Descriptive statistics (frequency, central tendencies, associations)
- Inferential statistics

H. Plan for interpretation:

This section contains statements regarding,

- Generalizability of research finding
- Limitation of the study
- Potential contributions of the study

I. Dissemination plan:

This section describes,

- Type and frequency of reports
- Types and number of publications
- Number of formal and informal meetings with policy makers and managers of the programme
- Number of workshops, seminars and conferences and the audience/participants

J. Logistics:

It describes the budget along with budgetary justifications

K. Work schedule:

This is usually in the form of a Gantt chart. ( A table showing different activities pitted against times scales for expected completion)

L. Bibliography:

This the list of resource (books, publications) which are used for developing the research proposal

M. Appendices:

Attachments to support the proposal (Operational definitions, questionnaires etc)

N. Abstract:

This is a summary of the proposal, usually a page or less. Although usually this is the first component of the proposal, it is written in the last, when all other components are completed.

It should describe following:
-Research problem
-Research objectives
-Expected implications
-Methods
-Responsible agency
-Study location and schedule
-Resource requirements

mohankrishna · Credits: 1041 My Scrapbook

hi shuvo,

thank you very much.the next time i do write a proposal i will definitely make use of it. looks like you have gone through the rigors of a research project.if yes, would you like to share it with all of us.let this post be helpful to all those hoping to go the research way.

again,thank you very much.

shuvo · Credits: 4595 My Scrapbook My Reading List 11 Books

mohankrishna,

You are right, I have experiences of development and supervision of some projects related to my work. I am afraid, I cant share those confidential official stuffs in this forum. But hope, if you go along this basic guideline, probably you might stand a better chance of getting a project. Later I will mention about some books which are obviously would be very helpful. Good luck to your coming project proposal !

mohankrishna · Credits: 1041 My Scrapbook

hi shuvo,

whew

your reply was real quick.thanks man.

sorry,i did not mean that you disclose your project to the whole world.i know nobody would.i myself am keeping my mouth shut with one short term project in the press for publication.when

only god knows

.also getting ready with a review article.hoping to make it quality stuff

i did not mean to discuss ideas, only means to make things work because more than enough times things have gone wrong.

and dont kid me with "good luck to your coming project proposal".

i am not proposing to any one

by the way i started my internship if that matters in any way.

thanks onceagain.bye.all the best.

enlightened · Credits: 391 My Scrapbook

m very keen to do ICMR-STS research work but lackin proper guidance, ( heard tat it is more of statistics).If u have any idea as how to approach for it n tips for gudwork pls do share it
thank u very much

shuvo · Credits: 4595 My Scrapbook My Reading List 11 Books

Sorry i dont have idea about the ICMR-STS as I am from bangladesh. In general research and stats are complementary.....the result of reseach is interpreted by stats. Unfortunately most of the operational/programmatic research designs in the developing countries are made without adequate prior considration of how it can be interpreted, which leads to frustration later as a mismatch arise between expectations of the programmers and statistical feasibility regarding result of the research...ie. reserach design should be made as such outcome variables can be measured later during data analysis....hence a marriage between research knowledge and statistical knowledge is required to make a successful research. this doesnt necessarily mean that one need to be master in theoretical stats ( but basic knowledge is mandatory), rather s/he need to have sound understanding of using ( applying and interpreting correctly) statistical softwares eg. SPSS, S-PLUS, STATA etc ( u dont need to master in all but any 1 or 2 will do).....

hope this helps so far...will write on later.

enlightened · Credits: 391 My Scrapbook

hi...thanks a lot(sry for late reply.......was busy with exams)
m planning to do short term studentship progrm. m in 3rd year ryt now.
unfortunately none of my college prof have a gud kwldge bt research though they accepted to guide me.
I would very grateful if can help me in this. i will give details regarding it in my next post.
Thanks a lot again..........waiting to hear from u soon!!

dipsite · Credits: 7891 My Scrapbook

Hi shuvo
First of all I would like to appreciate your work.Really great.
Coming to my query directly:- after following the format posted by you where should I send my research paper to get it published.
Or could you post some links over here?Waiting for a prompt and beneficial reply.

Warm Regards
DiPsItE.

shuvo · Credits: 4595 My Scrapbook My Reading List 11 Books

enlightened- I wud like to see your detail, after first week of february - although i am not expert in reserch or stats...

rajju077 · Credits: 34308 My Scrapbook My Reading List 1 Books

Thanks alot for these tips

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