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Saturday, July 25, 2015

Major Elements for Developing Research Proposal

Meaning of Research
Research is common parlance refers to a search for knowledge. Once can also define research as a scientific and systematic search for pertinent information on a specific topic. Research is an instrument to discover the truth through scientific inquiry. In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation. The Advance Learner’s Dictionary of Current English lays down the meaning of research as, “a careful investigation or inquiry especially through search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.” Research is a moment of inertia for an intellect to move forward towards critical analysis and comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

Research is an academic activity and as such the term should be use in a technical sense. According to Clifford Woody, research comprises defining and redefining problems, formulating hypothesis or suggested solutions, collecting, organizing and evaluating data, making deductions and reaching conclusions, and at last carefully testing the conclusion to determine whether they fit the formulating hypothesis. The Encyclopedia of Social Science defines research as. “ the manipulation of things, concepts or symbols for the purpose of generalizing to extend, correct or verify knowledge, whether that knowledge aids in construction of theory or in the practice of an art.” According to John W. Best, “research may be defined as the systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled observation that may lead to the development of generalizations, principles, or theories, resulting in prediction and possible ultimate control of events.” Research is, thus, an original contribution to the existing stock of knowledge making for its advancement. It is the per suit of truth with the help of study, observation, comparison and experiment in short, the research for knowledge through objective and systematic method of finding solution to a problem is research. The systematic approach concerning generalization and the formulation of a theory is also research. As such the term ‘research’ refers to the systematic method consisting of enunciating the problem, formulation a hypothesis, collecting the facts or data, analyzing the facts and reaching certain conclusions either in the form of solutions towards the concerned problem or in certain generalizations for some theoretical formulation.

Meaning of Research Proposal
A research proposal is the presentation of an idea you wish to pursue. It is an argument for the proposed study. A proposal is, in effect, an intellectual scholastic (not legal) contract between the researcher and the proposal evaluation committee. It is simply a document that specifies what a researcher actually wants to do. How he will proceed ahead to accomplish it and how he will interpret it. It is a blue print or plan for the research investigation. It is a document that describes the objective and purpose of the research, the problem and hypotheses and methodology to be employed. In other words, it is an argument for the proposed study. It needs to explain the logic behind the propose study, rather than simply describe or summarize the study and to do so in a way that even non-specialists will understand. A good research proposal presumes that you have already thought about your project and have devoted sometime and efforts in gathering information, reading, and the organizing your thoughts.

Objective of research proposal
Having decided on the research topic and defined a clear research question or set of question, together with appropriate methods of seeking answers, the researcher now needs to convey his plan of research clearly in a research proposal. The main purpose of a research proposal is to show that the problem the researcher proposes to investigate is significant enough to warrant the investigation, the method he plans to use is suitable and feasible, and the result are likely to prove fruitful and will make an original contribution.

The research proposal basically explains and justifies for the proposed study to a reader of non-experts on the researcher’s topic. It describes what a researcher will do, why it should be done, how he will do it and what he expects will result. Being clear about these things from the beginning will help the researcher completes his research in time. It aims to depict the worth of the proposed research. It is a way to communicate to those for whom the research is going to be undertaken. If the proposal is rejected, the researcher cannot carry out research on that topic. So it is also a way of getting permission to proceed with research study. A vague, weak or fuzzy proposal can lead to a long, painful, and often unsuccessful research exercise. A clean well thought-out proposal forms the backbone for the research itself.
Functions of a Research Proposal
According to Locke, Spiduso, and Silver men (2000) there are four main function of a research proposal as follows
-          A means of communication from the researcher to those who will assess, approve and possibly fund the project.
-          A plan for action to describe the scope, aims, step by step procedures and expected outcomes of the work.
-          A contract that will form the basis of agreement between the parties involved, e.g. the researcher, supervisor, funders, and institution.
-          The signed agreement which cannot be substantial altered without the agreement of all the parties involved.
Types of Research Proposal
Broadly speaking, research proposal are of two types: Internal and External. Infernal proposals are prepared by the staff members of an organization. Business firms are often concerned with how to understand and explain a particular business problem, the causes leading to such problem, or the solution to expect of this problem. Hence, the internal proposals have a problem solving orientation. The external proposals are prepared by external consultants. The external proposals can further be divided into: solicited and unsolicited proposal.
A solicited proposal is developed by external researcher in response to a request for proposals. The proposal is likely to compete against several others for the contract or grant. As such it concentrates on a known problem and purpose. However, the proposal has to propose on appropriate research design to address the problem. An unsolicited proposal has the advantage of not competing against others but has the disadvantage of having to speculate on the ratification of a problem facing the firm’s management.
There are also academic research proposal prepared for academic degrees like Masters, M. Phil. and Ph. D. The contents and emphasis in proposal for research for each of these degrees are different. So it is necessary to be aware of the essential   features and requirements of each academic program.
Elements of the Research Proposal  
Proposal, although differ in their purpose and nature, tend to follow more or less a define pattern. The following are a model for a research proposal element.
-          Executive Summary
-          Background Information
-          Literature Review and Theoretical Framework
-          Objective, Research Questions, Hypotheses
-          Significance, Relevance and Practical Implication of the study.
-          Research Methods and Procedures
-          Research Strategy
-          Research Design
-          Population and Sampling
-          Methods of Data Collection – Instruments
-          Method of Data Analysis
-          Expected Results
-          Research Plan
-          Time Frame
-          Budget and Resources
-          Project Management
-          Equipment and Instruments
-          Qualification of Researches
-          References
-          Appendixes
The above elements are the contents included in a general research proposal. However all these module contents may not be required for all types of research therefore, for example, the contents of a research proposal of an academic researcher may be different from that of a professional researcher. No matter whom it is write for, the proposal defines and delineates the project to be undertaken. The basic element of all proposals is quite similar. The following is a general explanation and guide for developing a research proposal.
1.      Title
The function of the title is to encapsulate in a few words the essence or your research. Its main purpose is to reflect the essential and intensions of the proposed research. It typically contains all the essential key words that you might use in an attempt to locate the kind of study you are proposing.

2.      Introduction
The introduction part of the proposal provides readers with the background information for the research reported in the proposal. Its purpose is to establish a framework for the research, so that readers can understand how it is related to the others research. Hence, the introduction should be given in terms of the following information.
-          Description of the topic in general and how you develop interest in it.
-          Place the study with in the larger context of the literature.
-          Background information on the organization or issue to be studied.
-          Lay the broad foundation for the problem that leads to the study.
-          Relevance of the proposed study.

3.      Statement of the Problem
The statement of the problem is focal point of the research. The problem statement describes the context for the study and it also identifies the general analysis approach. It is important in a proposal that the problem stand out-that the reader can easily recognize it. Effective problem statement answers the question, ‘why does this research need to be conducted.’ If you are unable to answer to this question, then the statement will become vague and ambiguous. The problem statement is just one sentence, with several paragraph of elaboration. It may be expressed in abstract terms initially, but through the statement of the sub-problem, you should indicate how it can be investigated practically.

4.      Objective of the study
The objective of the study should provide a specific and accurate synopsis of the overall purpose of the study. There refers to the question to which the researcher proposes to seek answers through the study. Although there is no limit to the number of research objective. It is desirable to limit the objective to a reasonable number. What is reasonable depends upon the time limitations, resources constraints, area of the study, capability etc. it is wish to pick objectives that are challenging but not impossible to achieve. Statement of objective should not vague or nebulous like ‘to study about industrial marketing in Nepal,’ ‘to explore unemployment in Nepal,’ etc. the statement should specific and indicate the exact purpose of the study. Such precise statement gives functional guideline to the research process.
Key point to keep when preparing a objective of the study.
-          Try to incorporate a sentence that begins with, to study the extent of …...... to identify the factors which influence…......... to examine the nature of relation between……..  and to investigate the impact of ………….. to identify the cause of …………… etc. this will clarity the research or own mind as to the purpose and it will inform the reader directly and explicitly.
-          Clearly identity and define the central concepts or ideas of the study. Some committee chairs prefer a separate section to this end. When defining terms, make a judicious choice between using descriptive or operational definitions.
-          Identify the specific method of inquiry to be used.
-          Identify the unit of analysis in the study.

5.      Review of Literature
The review of literature provided the background and context for the research problem. It should establish the interrelationship as shown by previous studies between variables and your expected networking among the variables under references. It shares with the reader the result of the other studies that are closely related to the study being reported. It provides a framework for establishing the importance of the study as well as a benchmark for comparing the result of a study with other findings. The literature review accomplishes several purposes.
-          It is an important component of a research. This is an essential exercise to identify the status of the research work in the area selected or the study.
-          It shares with the reader the result of other studies that are closely related to the study being reported.
-          It relates a study to the larger, ongoing dialogue in the literature about a topic, filling in gaps and extending prior studies.
-          Researchers need to be familiar with what has been done in the past in the side area by summarizing the main features available in the related book, reports, articles and dissertations.
-          Review must be critical rather than simple information.
-          There must be consistency and uniformity whichever method of footnote and reference citing in followed.

6.      Hypotheses and/or Questions
Question are relevant of normative or census type research. They are most often used in qualitative inquiry. Hypotheses are relevant to theoretical research and are generally used in quantitative inquiry. A research question poses a relationship between two or more variables but phrases the relationship as a question, a hypotheses represents a declarative statement of the relations between two or more variables. Deciding whether to use questions or hypotheses depends or factors such as the purpose of the study, the nature of the design and methodology of the research.
A hypothesis is a tentative solution of the problem facing the scientist. A hypothesis is a proposition that can be put to test to determine its validity. Webster’s dictionary define a hypotheses as, “proposition, condition or principal, which is assumed, perhaps without belief, in order to draw out its logical consequence and by this method to test its accord with fact which are known or may be determined.” The scientific method of research calls for developing a sound hypothesis in research. Once a hypothesis is set using appropriate statistical and mathematical tools must test it. Hypotheses will be relevant only when research involves the application of quantitative techniques. Otherwise, there is no use of developing hypotheses in case of descriptive methodology employed in the research.
In the context of statistical analysis, we often talk about null hypotheses and alternative hypotheses. If we are to compare method ‘A’ with method ‘B’ about its superiority and if we proceed on the assumption that both methods are equally good, then this assumption is termed as the null hypotheses. As against this we may think that the method A is superior or the method B is inferior, we are then stating what is termed as alternative hypotheses. The null hypothesis is generally symbolized as Ho and the alternative hypothesis as Ha.
Example of null hypotheses
Ho: There is no difference between male and female statistically in their productvity.
Statistically expressed:
Ho: u1 = u2
Where, Ho = the null hypotheses,
u1 = the productivity of male works.
u2 = the productivity of female works.
Example of alternative hypotheses
The alternative hypothesis, which is the opposite of the null, is a statement expressing a relationship between two variables or indicating difference between groups.
Ha: male workers will have more productive than female, or female workers will have less productive than male workers.
Statistically expressed
Ha: u1 is greater than u2
Where, Ha = the alternative hypotheses
u1 = the productive of male workers
u2 = the productive of female workers

7.      Research Methods
The method or procedures section is really the heart of the research proposal. The activities should be described with as much detail as possible and the continuity between them should be apparent. The researcher should indicate the methodology steps he will take to answer every question or to test every hypothesis illustrate in the hypotheses section. The activities should be described with as much detail as possible methods should not only be made explicit in the how but also in the why. The following are the major contents of this section.
-          Research design
-          Population of the study
-          Sample size and sampling method
-          Source of data
-          Data collection procedure
-          Data presentation
-          Analysis tools
A research design is the arrangement of condition for collection and analysis of data in manner that aims to combine relevance to the research purpose with economy in procedure. In fact, the research design is the conceptual structure with in which research is conducted; it constitutes the blue print for the collection measurement and analysis of data. As such the design includes an outline of what the researcher will do from waiting the hypotheses and its operational implications to the final analysis of data.
The population of the study organizational details, sample size and sampling methods need to be explained. Source of data and data collecting instruments to be used are to be precisely explained. What kind of measuring instruments or questionnaire to be use? Why do choose them? Are they valid and reliability? How do you plan to carry out your study? What activities are involved? How long does it take? The analyses of the data (test of hypotheses) are the statistical tools to be applied are to be mentioned.
8.      Significance of the Study
The researcher should indicate how his research will refine, revise or extend existing knowledge in the area under investigation. Note that such refinement, revision or extensions may have either theoretical or methodological significance. Also think about the implication, how the result of the study may affect scholarly research, theory, practice, educational interventions, counseling and policy.

9.      Limitation of the Study
A limitation identifies potential weakness of the study. The researcher should think about his analysis, the nature of self report, his instruments and the sample. It is the place to explain the things that the researcher is not doing and why he chose not to do them. The literature he will not review the population he is not studying, the methodology procedures he will not use.

10.  References
The researchers have to keep a running list of all references as you work through the literature. You will be required to include this list at the end of your proposal. This includes all books, journals, articles, internet sources etc.

11.  Appendixes
The need for complete documentation generally dictates the inclusion of appropriate appendixes in proposals. The following materials are appropriate for an appendix.
-          Original scales or questionnaires. If An instruments in copyrighted, permission in writing to reproduce the instruments from the copy right holder or proof of purchases of the instrument.
-          Interview protocols.
-          Sample and informed consent forms.
-          Cover letter sent to appropriate stakeholders.
-          Official letters of permission to conduct research.

Conclusion

A well-written proposal is a blueprint for the research investigation. It provides an argument for the proposed study. It needs to explain the logic behind the proposed study, rather than simply describe or summarize the study, and to do so in a way that even non-specialists will understand. You should explain what you want to do. A research proposal very according to the study and when it is to be submitted to a research proposal has several distinct sections for example, the title, introduction, theoretical framework, research objective, hypotheses, research methodology and reference. The length of the proposal is not important; researcher’s thinking is a important. Most of the work is writing a proposal is thinking and if it is done at the onset then the remainder of the research work will be much easier and clear.

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