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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