Week 6

Writing Research Proposal

Main reference:
http://www.biw.kuleuven.be/lbh/lsw/iupware/downloads/tipsforyoungresearchers/seminar1.pdf

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Content

Why research?
Why should this be in a competitive context?
Why a research proposal?
Getting started
What makes a good proposal
Writing your proposal
How to structure your proposal?
Quick TIPS for writing a good proposal

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Why research?
Why is the development of research within universities
a must?
To maintain the quality of teaching programmes
Provide the basis for undergraduate and graduate
thesis research projects
Universities should be more than degree delivering
institutions
Universities should be the basket for new knowledge
developments
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Why should this be in a competitive

context?
Do universities have the financial capacity to develop
and support research activities?
Where can the money be found to develop and support
research?
How can the society get the highest return on
investment?

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What is Research Proposal?

A written statement of the research design that includes
a statement explaining the purpose of the study
Detailed outline of procedures associated with a
particular methodology

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Why a research proposal?

Convince others the project you have designed is
important, worth the effort. Tell others what would your
research contribute to knowledge, practice and society
at large.
Convince others that you have the ability to carry out
the research design and report the findings
Generate funds to sustain the research units operation

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Getting started
Know your subject. The reviewers (in this case your
lecturer) will look for an up-to-date knowledge of the
research area
Know your funder. Be aware of the priorities and
interests of the funder you approach, and know that
funders are unlikely to support the same idea twice.

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Getting started
Consult colleagues. Dont be afraid to discuss your
proposal with colleagues, or even with the grants officer
at the funding body. Early discussions can ensure that
your proposal is targeted appropriately.

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What makes a good proposal?

A well-prepared application should require minimal
effort on the part of the reviewer
Proposals must demonstrate high scientific quality
The requested funds must be in proportion to the
proposed project (cost-effectiveness)

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Writing your proposal

Allow plenty of time to prepare your proposal. A good
starting point is to write a one-page summary of the
whole project. This may take a while to get right, but
one completed it will serve as an invaluable tool for
writing your full proposal
Use your proposal to show the need and then fill the
gap

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Writing your proposal

Present your proposal in terms of the aims and
objectives of the funder and not just your own make it
clear how you will be helping them to fund their
priorities
Consider the questions the funder will be asking: Why
fund you? Why fund this? Why not?...and make sure
that the proposal answers them!

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Writing your proposal

Be aware that you will have limited to none
opportunities to answer queries arising from a reading
of your proposal
Consult the funders website and read clearly the call for
research proposals as well as the criteria against which
your proposal will be judged

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Writing your proposal

Although it is the content that matters, good
presentation is often crucial to making your proposal
accessible to reviewers and keeping their interest

Use diagrams and tables to add clarity;

Bullet points and sections can break up text;
Keep to page, word and font size restrictions; and
Activate the spell checker while writing

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How to structure your proposal?

If the proposal is written for a funder, check guidelines
carefully failing to meet the funders format and
specifications in one of the most common reasons for
applications being returned
There is no one standard format but normally consists
of: title, abstract, background, aims and objectives,
methodology, work programme, resources, outcomes
(outputs & dissemination), project management,
reviewers
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The Research Proposal

Key elements:

Purpose of the study

Specific problem to be investigated.
Scope of the study
Relevance of the study
Research design:
Sampling design
Data collection methods
Data analysis

Time frame
Budget
Selected Bibliography
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Basic questions - Title

What is your research title?
The title of the research is the first impression the
reader gets
The title should be short and clear, and the reviewer
should be to understand from the title the intentions of
the research. A catchy title posing a question or
including an apparent contradiction or acronym may be
more easily remembered by a reviewer
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Basic questions Abstract

What is the essence of your project?
The abstract should be a concise summary of the
WHOLE project. Ask a colleague to read your abstract.
A good abstract is capable to make the reader
understand the essence of the project from the abstract
alone. It is also the first impression a reviewer gets of
an applicants worth.

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Basic questions Background

This section should be used to
put the work into context: what has been
done before, and how will the proposed work
add to it ? What is the innovative aspect in
the research project ? Build your case by
demonstrating your capability and familiarity
in the area.

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Basic questions Problem

Definition/Research Aims and Objectives
The aims should describe what you intend to achieve by
doing this piece of work. Your objectives are the small
steps you need to reach in order to achieve your aim.
Aims and objectives should be realistic, consistent, and
link them to methods, timetable, and outcomes.

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Basic questions Problem

Definition/Research Aims and Objectives

What is the purpose of the study?

How much is already known?
Is additional background information necessary?
What is to be measured? How?
Can the data be made available?
Should research be conducted?
Can a hypothesis be formulated?

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Basic questions Basic Research

Design

What types of questions need to be answered?

Are descriptive or causal findings required?
What is the source of the data?
Can objective answers be obtained by asking people?
How quickly is the information needed?
How should survey questions be worded?
How should experimental manipulations be made?

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Basic questions Selection of

Sample

Who or what is the source of the data?

Can the target population be identified?
Is a sample necessary?
How accurate must the sample be?
Is a probability sample necessary?
Is a national sample necessary?
How large a sample is necessary?
How will the sample be selected?

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Basic questions Data Gathering

Who will gather the data?

How long will data gathering take?
How much supervision is needed?
What operational procedures need to be followed?

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Basic questions Data Analysis

Will standardised editing and coding procedures be
used?
How will the data be categorised?
What statistical software will be used?
What is the nature of the data?
What questions need to be answered?
How many variables are to be investigated
simultaneously?
Performance criteria for evaluation?
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Basic questions Type of Report

Who will read the report?

Are managerial recommendations requested?
How many presentations are required?
What will be the format of the written report?

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Basic Questions Overall Evaluation

How much will the study cost?
Is the time frame acceptable?
Is outside help needed?
Will this research design attain the stated research
objectives?
When should the research be scheduled to begin?

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Research Timeline
Work program: This section contains also a
diagrammatic work plan, called a Gantt
chart. The Gantt chart or diagrammatic work
plan should also be accompanied by a written
description.

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Example of Gantt Chart

(Research Timeline)
Sep

Jul

Aug

Jun

May

Apr

Mar

Jan

Feb

Dec

Oct

Nov

Sep

Jul

Aug

Jun

Apr

Year 3
May

Mar

Feb

Jan

Dec

Oct

Nov

Sep

Jul

Aug

Jun

Apr

Year 2
May

Mar

Jan

Feb

Dec

Nov

Months
Activities

Oct

Year 1

Literature review & identifying

research gaps
Develop research
questions/objectives
Prepare & present 1st year report
Complete initial literature search
Finalise conceptualisation
2nd year report and Transfer panel
Pilot Study & refinement
Revise research methods in light
of pilot
Carry out research
Analyse findings
Write-up and conclusions
Conference / publication
Prepare thesis & submission

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Quick TIPS for writing a good proposal

Allow plenty of time;
Start by writing a summary of your proposed project;
Demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of your field;
Present your proposal in terms of the aims and
objectives of the funder;
Avoid jargon say what you mean in clear, simple
language;
Dont be afraid to state the obvious;

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Quick TIPS for writing a good proposal

Anticipate questions that may arise, before they arise;
Ask a colleague to review your proposal; and
Be enthusiastic about your idea if you dont sound
interested, why should anyone else be?

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