Module 5: Research

Strategies: Planning Your

Own Research
What is Research Proposal? 2

A research proposal is a simply a structured, formal document that

explains what you plan to research, why it’s worth researching, and
how you plan to investigate it.

The research proposal is your chance to demonstrate why your

study is important to organizations that might be interested in
funding or otherwise supporting your project.

A research proposal is important to ensure the smooth flow of the

research process.
The following are useful tips in preparing research proposal (Guyatt,
2006) 3

1. Pose a well-founded research question.

2. Identify appropriate supporting/funding agencies.
3. Demonstrate a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach.
4. Prepare a high-quality well-written proposal.
5. Establish your credentials, qualifications, and expertise, and create
an excellent research track record.
6. Draft a solid and an effective review of related literature to
demonstrate that your proposed study is feasible.
7. Be accountable for every aspect of your work.
 Components of a Research 4

Proposal

● Introduction ● Budget Proposal

● Methodology or ● Gantt Chart
Experimental Section ● Flowcharts
● References ● Schematic Diagrams
● Proposed Title
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“
Introduction

- contains the background of the study, its

potential significance or contribution to existing
knowledge, and its scope and limitations.
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A good introduction must provide answers to the

following questions:

1. What is the research problem?

2. How important is the problem?
3. How extensive is the work done in line with the
purpose of resolving this problem?
4. What are the key issues and concerns that are
still unanswered?
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5. What are your expectations and the

anticipated results from this proposed study?
6. What problems would you like to resolve?
7. What would be the scope of your proposed
study?
8. What are the limitations of the study?
9. How do you address the research problem?
Methodology or Experimental Section 8

- gives details of your planned research approach to

address the research question.
- Experimentation is undertaken to establish
cause-effect relationships.
- Variables are factors that can be manipulated and
measured.
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- Independent variables are those that can be manipulated

and subjected to experiments.
- Dependent variables are those observed upon the
subjects after they have been influenced by independent
variables (Saslow, 1982).
- Statistical analysis would also have to be included in the
methodology section.
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“
References

- These will strengthen your argument by

demonstrating traceability.
- These may include journal articles, magazines,
books, a chapter in a book, technical reports,
theses, and other publications.
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“
 Proposed Title 12

- It comprises 12 to 15 words
- title must be suggestive of the purpose of
the planned study and the overall goal of the
inquiry.
- It should be specific and self-explanatory
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Budget Proposal

- Research work involving real situations would thrive on

financial support from research-affiliated organizations
and government agencies, and non-government
organizations

- It shall include payment for personnel services (salaries,

honoraria), equipment costs, and maintenance and operating
expenses (supplies, publications, and report preparation
costs, travel expenses, overhead costs, and others).
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Gantt Chart
- a timetable contains an itemized list of activities, planned in
accordance with the expected outcomes and research objectives.

What is included in a Gantt Chart?

A Gantt chart always includes the start and end date of a project.
Furthermore, it divides the project into different groups of activities. The
first activity of a project will be displayed on the top of the chart, the last
one on the bottom. Then it includes a timeline on the top that shows the
duration of the project and of the individual activities.
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Flowcharts
- Also known as diagrammatic representations are
included to present the proposed stages of a
research project.
Symbols used in the preparation of flowcharts

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Schematic Diagrams

- Illustrate specific procedures or methodologies

that may be quite difficult to visualize mentally.

- Tend to simplify ambiguous procedural steps in

the methodology.