Lesson 2

MANAGING A RESEARCH PROJECT

OBJECTIVES:
At the end of the lesson, I can:
 Prepare a plan and focus on issues and ideas in a given field of
study;
 Prepare a research project framework;
 Understand the facets of managing a research project;
 Acquire working knowledge on results-based management in
planning for an inquiry; and
 Use results-based framework as a tool in monitoring and
evaluating an inquiry.

MOTIVATE

Reflect on your New Year’s Resolution. Were you able

to achieve the desired outcome? If yes, what were the
performance indicators that told you that you have
successfully achieved the target outcome?

Write your answers on the space provided. :

Northeastern Mindanao Academy “The School that Trains for Life”| INQUIRIES, INVESTIGATIONS, AND
IMMERSIONS
 ORGANIZE
A scientific inquiry entails a considerable amount of money to
cover maintenance and operating expenses, equipment outlay and
personnel services. For instance, in the United States, federal
research and development funding accounts for sources with total
expenditures of $26.3 billion in 1998.

The huge amount of money being invested in research and

development may not suffice to accommodate a number of research
proposals applying for grants. This puts a restraint on grant
awarding, characterized by a highly competitive ad stringent
application process. Also, the process entails effective
implementation to ensure that research funds are used for their
intended purpose.

Introduction to Results-based Management (RBM)

A research proposal intended for funding by local and

international organizations has been molded in such a way that it
would be results – or outcome based. Such results-based
management (RBM) framework is focused on the outcome and
impact of the proposed study. The RBM Framework is a unique
strategy that revolves around the concepts of planning, doing or
implementing, monitoring, assessing, adjusting, and learning.

In the RBM context, consider the following guide questions:

1. What research question are you trying to address?

2. What is the foreseeable impact of the research project?
3. What are the possible outcomes generated at the completion of the
research study?
4. What are the expected output and deliverables?
5. How long will the research undertaking take?
6. What objectives should you meet to ensure that the research question
will be answered?
7. What necessary inputs and specific activities must be undertaken to
successfully meet these objectives?
8. What is the projected duration for each individual activity?
9. Who will be responsible for data collection?
10. When will the data be collected?

Below is the logical framework of RBM. Each component level in the

RBM framework is interconnected and is linked to one another.
Furthermore, the progression expected from a program or an inquiry,
should follow an upward chain of movements, that is initial
contributions, which are found at the bottom of the chain, are
important and necessary to meet the goal of the research project.
Thus, any missing element will break the chain. For example, the
outcome cannot come before the output, and the impact cannot
come before the outcome. In other words, no course of actions
undertaken, no likely output can be foreseen, and no outcome can
be projected. Therefore in the RBM framework, careful and
deliberate planning and regular monitoring of programs are critical to
the success of the research project.

Northeastern Mindanao Academy “The School that Trains for Life”| INQUIRIES, INVESTIGATIONS, AND
IMMERSIONS
 Impact
(pertains to changes in state or condition of beneficiaries)

Intermediate Outcome
(refers to changes in practices, performance, or behavior of
stakeholders)

Immediate Outcome
(observed changes in capabilities of stakeholders)

Outputs
(products or services arising from the conduct of planned
activities)

Activities/ Course of Actions

Inputs or Investments or Resources

While conducting an inquiry, the RBM Framework offers the following

advantages:

 Focused managing brought about by careful and deliberate

planning,
 Precise assessment leading to prompt identification and resolution
of problems,
 Documented support to beneficiaries, and
 Well-spent funds.

How to Prepare an RBM-based Research Framework

Let us now define some key terminologies most applicable to

the RBM framework. A research problem needs to be addressed in
the conduct of an inquiry. In posing a research problem, the potential
impact must be thoroughly considered. In addition, a research
problem must address a specific target audience. Its impact may be
explained as the consequential benefits derived over a long period
of time and originating from the attainment of the objectives. Once
this is clearly set, plans will be effectively designed to include
identification of expected outcomes and objectives, contributory to
the resolution of the research problem. Objectives constitute the
program’s overall desired accomplishments. Good objectives must
follow the SMART criteria.

Northeastern Mindanao Academy “The School that Trains for Life”| INQUIRIES, INVESTIGATIONS, AND
IMMERSIONS
 In contrast, outcomes may be defined as observable changes
that are relevant to the fulfillment of the objectives. An outcome could
have multiple outputs. However, the outcomes are beyond the
control of the actual inquiry process.

An outcome statement contains information on the following:

 performance to be demonstrated
 specific learning acquired from the performance
 standard for an acceptable performance

Consider this statement:

Students should know the concepts of managing a research

program.

This outcome statement is poorly stated because it does not

include any specific learning to be acquired from knowing and that
no criterion is mentioned which will determine the acceptability of
the performance.

This is an improvised version:

At the end of this course, students are expected to formulate

research problems, objectives, and outcomes in accordance
with the results-based management logical framework.

The improved outcome statement has successfully incorporated an

action word that is formulate, a specific learning, that is,
“…research problems, objectives and outcomes,” and a standard,
that is, “in accordance with the results-based management logical
framework.”

Performance indicators are identified to gauge whether or

not you have achieved the study’s outcomes and objectives. Did
the expected outcome take place? If it did, hat observations are
noted with the attainment of the outcome? A good performance
indicator is tied to a specific outcome, is cost-effective and is
determined by concerned stakeholders. In writing a performance
indicator, it should be clearly and explicitly stated. Relating to the
improved outcome statement, possible performance indicators are
(1) number of research proposals or (2) assessment reports.

Outputs are results of performing planned activities. Outputs

can be differentiated from outcomes. Outputs are tangible and
measurable form, can be a product or service rendered, and these
facilitate the advancement of the inquiry leading to a realization of
intended outcomes as these are within the control of the inquiry
process.

On the other hand, outcomes are generally what transpires

when you render service or come up with a product. These can be
observed and described, however, outcomes cannot be and are
beyond the control of the actual inquiry process.

Again, referring to the example previously given, possible

outputs for such outcome include:
1. a well-drafted research proposal; and
2. conducted learning assessments.

Meanwhile, strategic resources provide the manpower and

organizational materials essential to the execution of the planned

Northeastern Mindanao Academy “The School that Trains for Life”| INQUIRIES, INVESTIGATIONS, AND
IMMERSIONS
 activities. The activities account for the courses of action to generate
data or data collection methods, as well as access to various data
sources. The RBM Framework also calls for a data collection plan
that provides details concerning people responsible for data
gathering and the timeframe or schedule within which to complete
the data collection.

But how are you really going to make use of the performance
indicator to express or prove that you have achieved something or
that something has changed? It is in this regard that you also gather
baseline data or prevailing data prior to the start of the program or
research project. Such use of data permits a comparison of the
situation before and after the research project or inquiry. You can
make use of data from related studies to serve as baseline
information.

Sources of data which you can access are diverse. Reports,

journal articles, newspaper articles, observations from field surveys,
and observation from experiments, interviewees, and others can be
used. Practically, you can do the following strategies to collect data:
field work, surveys, focus group discussions, case studies,
laboratory research/experimentation, and simulations.

To facilitate the identification of data collection methods, it is

recommended that you prepare Data collection method, as shown
below.

Performance Sources Data Responsible Time/

Indicator of Of Collection Person Duration
The Outcome Data Techniques

As with other monitoring and evaluating tools, assumptions

are also drawn. These are critical factors that may potentially
influence an inquiry. Assumptions do not significantly affect the
outcome but are necessary events or those most likely to happen
while conducting the inquiry.

Assumptions: Active participation and cooperation of students. Students

interested in preparing an RBM Framework.

Monitoring and Evaluation of Research in RBM

It is worth mentioning that the elements of an RBM

Framework, aside from following a chain of interconnections, would
require different levels of control. Control is exercised in each stage
of the study aimed at minimizing the effects of extraneous
independent variables. This streamlines the expectations of the
stakeholders as to the extent of data that will be gathered and
pooled, as well as the timeliness in the delivery of results, as the
research work progresses. Necessary adjustments may easily be
administered at each stage because it is known who is in control at
each level. The extent of control is likewise known to effect remedies
or improvements.

Northeastern Mindanao Academy “The School that Trains for Life”| INQUIRIES, INVESTIGATIONS, AND
IMMERSIONS
 impacts

outcomes

outputs

activities

inputs
Progress Report

A progress report describes the ongoing status of the program

or research undertaking. It is prepared on a regular basis, for
example, weekly, briefly, biweekly, monthly or quarterly, as agreed
upon by all stakeholders, researchers, project managers, and others.
In the RBM framework, a progress report template may look like this:

Progress Report
Program/Research Title:
Reporting Period:

Overall Objective
Outputs Outcomes Performance Developments
Indicators of Achieved in
Outcome Attaining
Outcomes

Specific Objective:
1.1

Specific Objective:
2.1

Prepared by:
Date Prepared:

Northeastern Mindanao Academy “The School that Trains for Life”| INQUIRIES, INVESTIGATIONS, AND
IMMERSIONS
Evaluation

Evaluation is the final important aspect of the RBM Framework. In this stage, you
are to make assessments about the results of the research, and then communicate
these results to stakeholders.

Specific Objective 1:
Observe progress toward achieving objective
Outputs Anticipated Performance Progress Lessons
generated Outcomes Indicators of Observed in Learned
Outcome Obtaining
Outcomes

RBM is a useful conceptual framework to effectively formulate, implement, and evaluate

research programs. The logical framework is linked to the attainment of the outcomes
and impact of the research program, but relies on such critical contributory factors such
as inputs, activities, outputs, data sources, and data collection strategies, as well as
assumptions. Hence, concrete documentation could be provided to stakeholders, in
effect assuring them of well – managed funds and the successful execution of the
program in the implementation stage. Furthermore, RBM facilitates managing of the
research program effectively through performance indicators of outcomes. In this
manner, it is easier for you to grapple a mark those indicators to suggest that outcomes
and objectives have been achieved.

VALIDATE
E
Analyze the questions carefully and then answer the following on
the space provided below.

1. Describe the RBM Framework. How it is important in attaining the

goal of your inquiry?
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

2. Differentiate output from income. Give an example of an output and of

an outcome.
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________

3. Define the role of the following personalities:

 Auditor:
_____________________________________________

 Operator:
_____________________________________________

 Authority:

Northeastern Mindanao Academy “The School that Trains for Life”| INQUIRIES, INVESTIGATIONS, AND
IMMERSIONS
 ____________________________________________

ENGAGE
Write an anecdote that best describes the approach you are
applying to manage your personal life. Have you been effectively
managing every aspect of your life? Why do you say so? Express it
by making a Progress Report of your life from Grade 7 until now
and follow the template shown above.

Write your answers on the space provided.

MY TREASURE

Northeastern Mindanao Academy “The School that Trains for Life”| INQUIRIES, INVESTIGATIONS, AND
IMMERSIONS