Lecture# 7,8

Planning the Research

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 Research Plan
⮚What do you intend to do?
⮚Why is the work important?
⮚What has already been done?
⮚How are you going to do the work?

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 Research Proposal
“A research proposal is a document that
describes the essential features of a study to
be conducted in the future, as well as the
strategy whereby the inquiry may be
logically and successfully accomplished.”
Busha & Harter, Research Methods in
Librarianship, p. 343.
 The Research Project Proposal
“the heart of the research plan is the research
proposal”

• The intent is not to limit creativity … the most

insightful discovery usually occur within
structured inquiry.
• They can seek financial support or simply serve
as a guide for the research

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• Effective communication skills are essential.
Thoughts must be clear and well developed.
• Proposals serve dual purposes:
– Provides an operational plan for the researcher.
– For evaluators allows decisions on approval or
disapproval.

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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.
 Elements of the Research Proposal
Although varying in complexity and form, there are
common elements to all proposals. The figure
below shows components and linkages.

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 Components of a research
proposal
• 1. Title of Proposed Study
• 2. Name, Registration no, Name of Faculty
and E-mail ID
• 3. Abstract (150 words)
• 4. Signature Page
• 5. Scrutiny Committee Certificate
• 6. Ethical Committee Certificate

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• 7. Introduction (500-1000 words)
a. Statement of the problems
b. Review of literature
c. Purpose/objectives of study
d. Research questions & hypothesis
e. Rationale
f. Impact of Study

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8. MATERIALS & METHODS
(300-400 words)

a. Study type/Research design

b. Study population and sampling
c. Data collection methods and instruments
d. Data analysis methods/Statistical analysis
e. Study period
f. Resources (personnel, materials, lab
requirements, logistics etc)
g. Limitations
9. References (Bibliography): Harvard style

10. Annexures (Data collection forms,

logistics/materials lists etc)

11. Disclosure of conflict of interest (if any)

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12. Formatting
a. Paper: Size A4 and 80 to 90 g paper.
b. Margins: Left-hand margins should be 38 mm (1.5") wide, to
facilitate binding. All other margins should be well defined at
approximately 25 mm (1").
•c. Alignment: Justified
•d. Font Style: Times New Roman
•e. Font Size:
•i. Heading and Subheadings 14
•ii. Main Body:
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•iii. Foot notes
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•f. Page Numbers: All pages must be numbered in sequence.
•g. Line Spacing: 1.5 12
 Abstract

• The abstract should not exceed 150-200 words.

• It should include
– background,
– the purpose of the study,
– Material and methods, Written in future tense

– results/ outcomes
(expected to get after completion of study)

– and key words.

 Introduction

⚪ Background Information
⚪ What work (if any) already exists in this area? What are
its strengths and deficiencies?
⚪ How would further work advance our knowledge of the
wider area of study?
⚪ Is an entirely new area of study being opened up? -
Why is this important?
⚪ In text citation.
 1) Introduction
Do’s Don’ts

▪ Do introduce about title

▪ Don’t expose about your
▪ Include some background expertise
and need
▪ Don’t go without stating
of study
any examples
▪ Write something about
contextual aspects
▪ Include regional
(geographic) aspects
▪ Point out the relevance of
subject matter
▪ Introduce the research
question
Reason(s) for Carrying Out Research (The "Why") *.
Aims & Objectives

⚫Your synopsis should explain why the selected

topic is worthy of further exploration.
⚫It should also demonstrate that you appreciate
the main areas of debate around the topic and
show how your proposed research would
contribute to that debate.
⚫The Aims are supposed to convey exactly : The
“Why” * in precise fashion
⚫To be written in order of importance!
 HYPOTHESIS:

• A hypothesis is a statement showing

expected relation between 2 variables. A
hypothesis is needed in the following study
designs:
• All interventional studies
• Cohort
• Case Control
• Comparative Cross Sectional
 rationale
• It offers the reasons for proceeding to address a particular problem with a
particular solution.
• Since you have already conducted your literature review, you are now ready to
propose to your Supervisor that s/he authorize you to conduct further study and
write a Thesis on your subject.

• Your rationale should cover the following "sub-arguments":

• your objectives in conducting further research -- What do you hope to find out?
• the significance of the subject in your field -- Why is this subject important?
• reasons why more or better research is needed -- a summary of your concluions
from your literature review -- the gaps in our knowledge, flawed prior research,
etc.) -- What was wrong or incomplete about prior efforts and what is needed to
address these probems?
• your proposed research method -- Will you want to do qualitative (descriptive) or
quantitative (experimental) research?
 Evaluating Research Proposals
• Evaluation involves assessing the soundness and
merit of the research plan.
• The evaluators look for evidence of clarity and
quality of thought – which reflects on the likely
quality of the research to be conducted.
• Planning the research and writing the proposal
is often the most difficult part of the research
process.

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Typical Criteria for Evaluation
A.Is the investigator interested in the problem?
B.Is there a genuine lack of knowledge related
to the problem?
C.Is the research needed by other people?
D.Are the objectives:
1. appropriate to the problem?
2. Attainable?
3. Observable or measureable?
4. Sufficiently specific?

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Typical Criteria for Evaluation …cont.
E. Does the investigator have sufficient
resources?
F. Does the proposal recognize appropriate
constraints?
G.Is the research likely to be productive?
H.Is the expected value of the research greater
than its cost?
I. Are results likely to be widely applicable?

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THE FUTURE (is now)
The general standard of
research proposals is low
So it is not hard to shine
Although, sadly, that still does not guarantee a grant.

Good luck!