ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS OF

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Bengkel Persediaan Proposal Geran FRGS 2022
FSSM IP

Mohd Tajuddin Abdullah, PhD DIMP, FASc

Universiti Malaysia Terengganu
1 December 2021
Title : Natural and cultural heritage
Short and sweet
1.  Using morphological characteristics and next generation
sequencing to identify agricultural crop pests in the east coast of
Peninsular Malaysia (19 words) X
2.  Molecular and morphological characterisation of agricultural pests
in Terengganu (9 words)
3.  Validating agricultural pests using NGS (5 words)
4.  Converting pest into feed (4)
 Executive Summary
1.  Why important?
2.  What are the problems or needs?
3.  Whom?
4.  Where?
5.  When?
6.  How?
7.  How much?
8.  How long?
9.  Impactful outputs
10.  Impactful outcomes
v  New ideas or concepts?
v New methods or ways ?
v Why previous research isn't enough, enough evident?
v Your strength in this field (assessor will check your Scopus and WoS profiles)?
 Problem Statement
1.  Malaysia is a rich country with very high biodiversity X
2.  Although Malaysia is in the top 20 hyper biodiversity
country, 50% of the population is living below the poverty
line.
3.  In 2020, the per capita income of Malaysia is about
USD10,000 ……. which failed to be classified as the First
World.
 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
1.  Detailed literature review
2.  Convincing evidences of serious gaps in the knowledge
3.  Figure of the conceptual framework
4.  Replicate the previous work using new approach and
efficient manner
5.  Never recycle proposal without major overhaul of the
contents
Objectives
Quantifiable verbs
1.  To explore the number of species of insect pests in the East Coast
of Peninsular Malaysia by using morphological characteristics and
next generation sequencing X
2.  To quantify oil palm pests in Hulu Terengganu by traditional and
molecular methods.
3.  To use IR and AI in pest species detection
Project Approach
•  Research framework?
•  Consistent with the title, problem statements, hypothesis, objectives
•  Map of study area and sampling sites
•  Field methods (major references or your NGS ref)
•  Laboratory methods (major references)
•  Analysis of Data (clear qualitative and quantitative test statistics; and
major references)
•  Specific activities
•  Pilot project, lab test then larger field extension
•  Specific lab and organisations involved (IMR, VRI, MGI, FRIM, DENP,
JPSM, KeTSA, KASA)
EXAMPLE OF
CONCEPTUAL
FRAMEWORK
 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
NATURAL SCIENCES
SOCIAL SCIENCES
ECONOMICS & MANAGEMENT

Public domain
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

Millennium Ecosystem Assessment 2005

SDG 2015 - 2030
 Failing Sustainable Development Goal
2030
17. Partnerships for the Goals

16. Promote peaceful

and inclusive societies

12
https://www.msfi.com.my/17-goals-towards-sustainable-development-and-transformation/

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
3.
Atmosphere
(Climate)
4.
2.
Hydrosphere
Biodiversity
(Water)

5.
1. Human Sustainability Lithosphere
Ecology
(Land)
 CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
EDUCATION

http://educationaltaxonomy.weebly.com/home/may-02nd-20141
 Budget & justifications
1.  No hidden costs ✗
2.  No splitting instruments ✗
3.  Correct vote and percentage allowed (conference 2 votes travel & fees)
✔
4.  Co-funding or in-kind ✔
5.  Quotations of important equipment, materials, services etc ✔
6.  NGS training in New York ✗
7.  English Writing techniques in Liverpool ✗
8.  Organising a conference in Langkawi ✗
9.  RM1,000 per insect ID for world expert ✗
Collaboration & others
1.  LoI
2.  MoU
3.  MoA
4.  Co-funding
5.  In-kind
6.  DG as collaborator
7.  VC as collaborator
8.  Patent check
9.  Copyrights
10. Gantt chart & milestones every 6 months
 Impactful Outputs and
Outcomes

Policy change
Stakeholders
Communities
Environment
NEW HYPOTHESIS, knowledge, concepts

 Rejected Proposal
1.  Must meet the requirements above
2.  Highly recommended 90%
3.  Recommended 80%
4.  Not recommended 70% and below
5.  SPLIT THE IDEAS INTO SEVERAL PROPOSALS
6.  PLAGARISM
7.  REVENTING THE WHEEL
8.  READ THE KPT PROPOSAL GUIDELINES – FRGS
TRGS LRGS
Rejected Proposal Not Consistent
To Guidelines
Rejected Proposal
Rejected Proposal
Rejected Proposal
ACCEPTED Good Proposal
ACCEPTED Good Proposal
ACCEPTED Good Proposal
ACCEPTED Budget Proposal