PLANNING

A RESEARCH PROJECT
Step-by-step Planning for a Research Project

A. Pre planning

 Research begins with an idea.

 It needs open, candid discussion.
 Parameters should be set to investigate the issue.
 Time frame and budget are two very significant factors
which play a pivotal role in research work.
B. Define a problem

 The problem of the research should be

clear and focused.
 Each problem may have multiple
interpretation.
 The research problem and purpose
should be well balanced and well
coordinated.
C. Determine the Purpose

 The research project needs the

determined purpose to achieve the
targeted goal.
 In exploratory study, the purpose is
very simple- “What is out
there”.
 In descriptive study, it tells “How
things are”.
 D. Identify Constrains
 Ideally perusing a research project and reasonably doing the same
sometimes give a different picture.
 Ethics in research sometimes impose limitations on the progress of
project. Considering all aspects the feasible out come more often
depends on the available resource.

 Time and money can be very influential constrains at the time of

designing a research project.
 Availability of required manpower, space and equipment may give a
different dimension to the project.
E. Reviewing the research literature
 Review of literature helps to know
about the already done work on the
same research area.
 It helps to provide methodology
guidance to conduct the project
smoothly.
F. About the data

 The data collected from primary sources is more

beneficial than that of secondary sources.
 Primary data is considered more authentic.
 Primary data is collected by the researcher from the
field.
 In case of secondary data the researcher reports on
someone else’s research work.
G. Deciding the other factors
 Proper required objectives (not more than 3) should
be selected to continue the project.
 The project should have a concrete hypothesis. It
serves as a guide for planning, collecting and
analyzing data and reporting the findings.
 Easy and comfortable research design should be
made to conduct the project.
H. Research Project must follow-

Three basic parts:

a. Choosing a method

b. Developing a methodology
appropriate to that method

c. Data collection and data analysis

I. Choosing the method-
 Experiment :- In the classic experiment, sub subjects are
divided into a test group that receives a stimulus and a control
group that is not exposed to that stimulus.
 Survey :- Best option for collecting large amount of data.
 Content analysis :- It is a systematic investigation of
messages in fixed format – a survey of documents, broadly
defined.
 Focus group :- It is a small group discussion
facilitated by a moderator.
 Observational research :- The researcher collects the
data through
observation in a natural setting.
J. Developing the
methodology-

The research methodology includes

determining how to choose the subject for
the study and how to observe the
phenomenon of interest.
K. Working out the logistics-
It includes locating facilities, schedule in work and
preparing and pre testing the materials that will be needed
for the actual data collection.

L. Doing the research work-

Collect the necessary data and analyze them using the

appropriate quantitative and qualitative procedure.

M. Report Preparation

Finally report preparation based on the research work. It

should be comprehensive and focused.