ASR-701

Research Methodology I

Dr. Hina Siddiqui

hinahej@gmail.com
Lab HEJ-323 (I. Com #. 156)

09/03/2023
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zJ8Vfx4721M&t=211s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rT9o2c11Epg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ga7w-czB7lo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_T2BmiHEV0I
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BObOQHvvFQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JzLV5i6D-Q&t=17s

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 Course Contents
1. Philosophy of Science
2. Literature Review
3. Inventory Review
4. Inventory of Questions
5. Research Objectives-Dr. Hina Siddiqui
6. Research Hypothesis- Dr. Hina Siddiqui
7. Types of Research Methods
8. Research Phases- Dr. Hina Siddiqui
9. Designing an investigation
10. Qualitative and quantitative Approaches
11. Design of Experiment
12. Identification of Available Technologies and Expertise
13. Research Proposal- Dr. Hina Siddiqui

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 What is Research?
• A systematic means of problem solving
(Tuckman 1978)
• 5 key characteristics:
 What is Research?

1. Systematic – research process

2. Logical – induction/deduction
3. Empirical – evidence based
4. Reductive – generalisation
5. Replicable – methodology.
 Review the Available
Literature

Publish Formulate a
Findings Question
Research Process
Interpret Select an Appropriate
Findings Research Design

Collect Relevant
Data
 Research Process
OBSERVATION
Broad area of
research interest
identified
PROBLEM THEORETICAL
DEFINITION FRAMEWORK
HYPOTHESES
Research Variables clearly GENERATION
problem identified and
delineated labeled

SCIENTIFIC
RESEARCH
DESIGN
PRELIMINARY DATA
GATHERING DEDUCTION
Interviewing & Hypotheses DATA COLLECTION,
Literature Survey substantiated? ANALYSIS AND
Research questions INTERPRETATION
answered
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 Research Methodology:
An Introduction

• Research in common parlance refers to a search for

knowledge
• scientific and systematic search for pertinent
information on a specific topic
• research is an art of scientific investigation.
• a careful investigation or inquiry specially through
search for new facts in any branch of knowledge.
• journey of discovery
• Research is, thus, an original contribution to the existing
stock of knowledge making for its advancement
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 Your Research
• Research can be one of the most interesting
features of any degree course
• It gives you an opportunity to confirm, clarify,
pursue – or even discover
• new aspects of a subject or topic you are
interested in.

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 MOTIVATION IN RESEARCH
• Desire to get a research degree along with its
consequential benefits;
• Desire to face the challenge in solving the
unsolved problems, i.e., concern over practical
problems initiates research;
• Desire to get intellectual joy of doing some
creative work;
• Desire to be of service to society;
• Desire to get respectability.
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 RESEARCH APPROACHES
• Quantitative/Qualitative
• Applied/Basic
• Deductive/Inductive

Many research projects combine a

number of approaches, e.g. may
use both quantitative and
qualitative approaches

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 QUANTITATIVE/QUALITATIVE RESEARCH
Quantitative
The emphasis of Quantitative
research is on collecting and
analysing numerical data; it
concentrates on measuring the
scale, range, frequency etc. of
phenomena.
This type of research, although
harder to design initially, is usually
highly detailed and structured and
results can be easily collated and
presented statistically.
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Qualitative
Qualitative research is more
subjective in nature than
Quantitative research and involves
examining and reflecting on the less
tangible aspects of a research
subject, e.g. values, attitudes,
perceptions.
Although this type of research can
be easier to start, it can be often
difficult to interpret and present the
findings; the findings can also be
challenged more easily.
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 Research types
Basic Applied
Theoretical? Quick Answers?
More Invasive? Less Invasive?
Laboratory Based? Field Based?
Tightly Controlled? Loosely Controlled?
Internal Validity?
Lacks External Validity? Externally Valid?
>
Focus on Mechanism Focus on Effect
More Reductionist Less Reductionist.
 Research Continuum
Basic Applied
e.g.
Does Caffeine Ingestion
Improve Athletic
Performance?
 Research Continuum
Basic Applied
e.g. e.g.
Does Caffeine Ingestion Does Caffeine Ingestion
Improve Ca2+ binding Improve Athletic
with troponin? Performance?
-Would this Facilitate
Acto-Myosin Coupling?
-Would this aid
contraction?
 Research Continuum
Basic Applied
e.g. e.g.
Does Caffeine Ingestion Does Caffeine Ingestion
Inhibit Glycogen Improve Athletic
Phosphorylase? Performance?
Does Caffeine Ingestion
Increase Lipid
Metabolism?
-Would this Spare
Endogenous Glycogen?
 Research Continuum
Basic Applied
e.g. e.g.
Does Caffeine Does Caffeine Ingestion
Ingestion Stimulate the Improve Athletic
CNS? Performance?

-Would this Increase

Motor Unit Recruitment
-Would this Reduce
Perceived Effort?
 BASIC/APPLIED RESEARCH
The primary aim of Basic Research is
to improve knowledge generally,
without any particular applied purpose
in mind at the outset.

Applied Research is designed from the

start to apply its findings to a
particular situation.

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 Basic

Applied
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 Structure of Research
The "hourglass" notion of research
begin with broad questions
narrow down, focus in
operationalize
OBSERVE
analyze data
reach conclusions
generalize back to questions

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 Deduction and Induction

Deduction

Induction

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Inductive research approach
When there is little to no existing literature on a topic, it is common to perform inductive
research because there is no theory to test. The inductive approach consists of three stages:

Observation
A low-cost airline flight is delayed
Elephants depend on water to exist

Observe a pattern
Another 20 flights from low-cost airlines are delayed
All observed animals depend on water to exist

Develop a theory
Low cost airlines always have delays
All biological life depends on water to exist

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Reference: https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/inductive-deductive-reasoning/
 • Limitations of an inductive approach
• A conclusion drawn on the basis of an inductive
method can never be proven, but it can be
invalidated.
• Example
You observe 1000 flights from low-cost airlines. All of
them experience a delay, which is in line with your
theory. However, you can never prove that flight
1001 will also be delayed. Still, the larger your
dataset, the more reliable the conclusion.
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Reference: https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/inductive-deductive-reasoning/
Deductive research approach
When conducting deductive research, you always start with a theory (the result of inductive
research). Reasoning deductively means testing these theories. If there is no theory yet, you
cannot conduct deductive research.

The deductive research approach consists of four stages:

Start with an existing theory

Low cost airlines always have delays
All biological life depends on water to exist

Formulate a hypothesis based on existing theory

If passengers fly with a low cost airline, then they will always experience delays
All land mammals depend on water to exist

Collect data to test the hypothesis

Collect flight data of low-cost airlines
Study all land mammal species to see if they depend on water

Analyse the results: does the data reject or support the hypothesis?
5 out of 100 flights of low-cost airlines are not delayed = reject hypothesis
All land mammal species depend on water = support hypothesis
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Reference: https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/inductive-deductive-reasoning/
 Writing A Proper Hypothesis

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 The hypothesis is the foundation of the
research
• The development of a hypothesis is the first step
in designing and conducting research

• The hypothesis should be clear, specific, and

testable (or researchable)

• The hypothesis is the link between the theory

and the research, that leads us to new
discoveries
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 The Hypothesis…
• Is a prediction for the outcome of an experiment

• Explains facts and guides the research to possible

outcomes

• Is valuable because:
▫ States the relationship between the all of your variables to
study
 You are ALWAYS testing to find relationships
▫ Explains why these occur
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 A hypothesis must satisfy the following
requirements…
• Be expressed in a declarative statement
• Postulate a relationship between variables
• Reflect a theory which will guide the research
• Be brief and concise
• Be testable and/or provable

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 Parts of the Hypothesis Statement

• Independent Variable:
The condition be studied. It is controlled by the
experimenter.
ex. Water
• Dependent Variable:
The condition affected by the independent variable. It
can’t be controlled by the experimenter.
ex. Plant Growth
• Control:
The condition that is represented in a normal situation.

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 Writing A Proper Hypothesis
Using the “If / Then”
Method

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Steps to Writing the “If” section of your Hypothesis

1. Start your sentence with the word “If”

2. Write down one of the variables
3. Connect statement with one of the following:
is related to
is affected by
causes
4. Write down the other variable

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 Writing the “Then” section of your
Hypothesis
• Write the word then (following the “if” section)
• Make a comment on the relationship between
those two variables.
Ex. If section:
If water is related to plant growth,

Ex. Then section:

then the more you water plants, the bigger they will
grow.
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 Final “If / Then” Statement
If water is related to plant growth, then the
more you water plants, the bigger they
will grow.

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 RESEARCH QUESTION
A research question is the question that the
research project sets out to answer.

A research study may set out to answer

several questions.

The methodology used for that study, and

the tools used to conduct the research, all
depend upon the research questions being
asked.
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 THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RESEARCH QUESTION

• The research question is the starting point of

the study. Everything flows from the research
question. It will determine the population to
be studied, the setting for the study, the data
to be collected, and the time period for the
study. A clear and concisely stated research
question is the most important requirement
for a successful study.

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 Origins of a Research Question
• Careful Observation of People
• Application of New Technology
• The Annoyance Principle
• Build on Experience
• Scientific Communications
– Skeptical Attitude (questioning peers)

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 Characteristics of a good research
question
• FINER
– Feasible
• Adequate numbers of subjects?
• Adequate technical expertise?
• Affordable in time and money?
• Is it possible to measure or manipulate the variables?
– Interesting
• To the investigator?
– Novel
• To the field?
– Ethical
• Potential harm to subjects?
• Potential breech of subject confidentiality?
– Relevant
• To scientific knowledge/theory?
• To organizational, health or social management and policy?
• To individual welfare?

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 Hypotheses

• Examples

– RQ: Is a happy worker a productive worker?

– H1: Happier workers are more productive than unhappy
workers.

– RQ: Does increasing the happiness of workers make them more

productive?
– H1: Increasing the happiness of workers does not increase
productivity.

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Hypotheses should be developed
before data are collected.

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Hypotheses and Research
Questions
Predicting functional relationships
between variables
 Definition:

• A hypothesis is a tentative prediction about the

nature of the relationship between two or more
variables.
– A hypothesis represents an educated guess
about what will happen in an experiment
– Hypotheses are always held tentatively
• A research question is simply a hypothesis stated
in question form.
Should I use a hypothesis or a research
question?
• Hypotheses • Research Questions
– Useful if there is an
established line of research
– Useful if a likely outcome can
be anticipated in advance
– Useful to test a specific
theory or model
– Can inhibit flexibility or blind
a researcher to unanticipated
results
– Useful if there is little
previous research on the
topic
– Allows a researcher to
conduct more open-ended
inquiries.
– A wider range of outcomes
can be reported
– May encourage excessive
manipulation of findings or
“fishing expeditions.”
Types of Hypotheses

• Null hypothesis
Symbol = Ho or H0

• Experimental hypothesis
Symbol = H1, Ha, etc.
nondirectional (two-way)
directional (one-way)

• Research Question
Symbol = RQ or R
 Null Hypothesis

• the null hypothesis is a statistical hypothesis, used to determine

whether the results of an experiment are statistically significant.
• It posits that there is “no relationship” between two variables,
or “no difference” between two groups.
• The null hypothesis is “supported,” if the results are statistically
non-significant
– the null hypothesis is never “proven” (at least not by a single
study)
– impossibility of proving a negative
• The null hypothesis is “rejected,” in favor of the experimental
hypothesis, if the results are statistically significant
Experimental hypothesis

• A prediction that there will be statistically significant findings

– significant differences or correlations between groups or
among variables
• Nondirectional hypothesis
– significant difference in any direction
• Directional hypothesis
– Predicts that a specific group or condition will be higher or
have more of something, or
– predicts the specific direction that a correlation will take
(positive negative, curvilinear)
 Examples

• Null hypothesis:
– Ho: High exposure to violent video games does not produce
more antisocial behavior in elementary school children than
low exposure.
• Non directional hypothesis:
– H1: Japanese and American supervisors will differ significantly
in their use of threats as a compliance gaining strategy.
• Directional hypothesis
– Ha: Deaf children whose parents are deaf will acquire
language faster than deaf children whose parents are not
deaf.
 Phrasing hypotheses and research
questions

• Avoid vague or nebulous wording

– the hypothesis or research question must be clear and
concise
– The hypothesis or research question must be testable.
– The hypothesis or research question must be falsifiable.
– Wrong: Do students with high GPAs feel better about
themselves than students with low GPAs?
– Right: Do undergraduates with GPAs greater than 3.0 have
higher self esteem than undergraduates with GPAs of lower
than 2.0?
 Phases of Research

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 Phases/stages of Research
• Idea-generating phase
• Problem-definition phase
• Procedures-design phase
• Observation phase
• Data-analysis phase
• Interpretation phase
• Communication phase

https://www.scribbr.com/methodology/rese
arch-design
/
09/03/2023
51
09/03/2023 52
 Problem/Question/idea
• Develop a question or problem or idea that can
be solved through experimentation.
• The scientific method starts when you ask a
question about something that you observe:
How, What, When, Who, Which, Why, or Where?
• And, in order for the scientific method to answer
the question it must be about something that you
can measure, preferably with a number.

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 Problem/Question/idea
• The starting point of most new research is to
formulate a general question about an area
of research and begin the process of defining
it. This initial question can be very broad, as
the later research, observation and narrowing
down will hone it into a testable hypothesis.

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 Do Background Research

• Rather than starting from scratch in putting

together a plan for answering your question,
you want to be a savvy scientist using library
and Internet research to help you find the best
way to do things and insure that you don't
repeat mistakes from the past.

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 Narrowing Down
• The research stage, through a process of elimination,
will narrow and focus the research area.

This will take into account budgetary restrictions,

time, available technology and practicality, leading to
the proposal of a few realistic hypotheses.

• Eventually, the researcher will arrive at one

fundamental hypothesis around which the
experiment can be designed.

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 Formulate a Hypothesis
• Predict a possible answer to the
problem or question.
• Example: If soil temperatures rise,
then plant growth will increase.

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 Experiment
• Develop and follow a procedure.
• Include a detailed materials list.
• The outcome must be measurable
(quantifiable).

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 Designing the Experiment
• This stage of the scientific method involves designing
the steps that will test and evaluate the
hypothesis, manipulating one or more variables to
generate analyzable data. The experiment should be
designed with later statistical tests in mind, by
making sure that the experiment has controls and a
large enough sample group to provide statistically
valid results.

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 Observations

• This is the midpoint of the steps of the scientific

method and involves observing and recording the
results of the research, gathering the findings into
raw data. The observation stage involves looking at
what effect the manipulated variables have upon
the subject, and recording the results.

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 Collect and Analyze Results
• Modify the procedure if needed.
• Confirm the results by retesting.
• Include tables, graphs, and
photographs.

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 Analysis

• The scope of the research begins to broaden

again, as statistical analyses are performed on
the data, and it is organized into an
understandable form. The answers given by
this step allow the further widening of the
research, revealing some trends and answers
to the initial questions.

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 Conclusion
• Include a statement that accepts or
rejects the hypothesis.
• Make recommendations for further
study and possible improvements to
the procedure.

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 Communicate the Results
• Be prepared to present the project to an
audience.
• Expect questions from the audience.
• The results are usually published and
shared with the scientific community,
allowing verification of the findings and
allowing others to continue research into
other areas.
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 Cycles

• This is not the final stage of the steps of the scientific

method, as it generates data and ideas to recycle into
the first stage. The initial and wider research area can
again be addressed, with this research one of the
many individual pieces answering the whole question.
• Building up understanding of a large area of research,
by gradually building up a picture, is the true path of
scientific advancement.

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 Examples
• https://
graziano-raulin.com/supplements/phasesexa
mples.htm

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 How to Write A Winning
Scientific Research Proposal?

67
Why its Worthy to Learn Grant Proposal Writing

• Give a person a fish, you

feed them for a day.

• Teach a person to fish, you

feed them for a lifetime.

Capacity Building

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 Contents
• General Considerations
• Research Paradigm
• Types of Research
• Requirements of a Research Project
• Genesis of a Research Project
• Development of the Research Idea
• Concept Paper
• Expected Outcomes
• Developing Research Team
• Informed Consent
• Seeking For the Funding Agency
• Research and Development in South Asia
• Reviewer’s Criteria
• Components of a Research Proposal
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 Grant proposal/Research Proposals-
Key for a Scientist’s Survival
• Grant proposal is a request for funding of the
concrete idea-based on preliminary results-for
future endeavors.
• While research paper is retrospective in nature,
research proposals in futuristic.
• Almost all universities based research are
funded by a third party-proposals are of
enormous importance

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HF Ebel et al. The Art of Scientific Writing, second revised edition,1987- Wiley VCH
 Grant proposal/Research Proposals-
Key for a Scientist’s Survival
• Proposal should share the goal effectively
• It should be convincing a potential donor
agency
• Value of proposed research
• Completion of project as describe is feasible
within fiscal time
• Expertise are available
• Inventory of publication/references

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HF Ebel et al. The Art of Scientific Writing, second revised edition,1987- Wiley VCH
 Grant proposal/Research Proposals-
Key for a Scientist’s Survival
• Existing facilities and expertise
• Detailed budget ( personnel, apparatus,
supplies, chemicals and etc.)
• Some times grant agencies give a grant form-
uniformity

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HF Ebel et al. The Art of Scientific Writing, second revised edition,1987- Wiley VCH
Research Always Begins with a Problem

Expectations Reality

I Want to…. But….

Gap = Problem

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 Research Paradigm

Dream

Discovery Design

Delivery

“Creativity is fundamental attribute of science,

which is driven by curiosity.“
Prof. Dr. M. Iqbal Choudhary, Dawn, Sunday December 6, 2009.
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 What are the Types of Research?

Following are the main types of research:

Exploratory Research
Descriptive Research
Causal Research
Further classification can be:
Field Research
Lab Research
Computer Based Research
Surveys
Data mining and Analysis
75
Requirements of a Research Project

Infrastructure
Lab space, Basic equipment, Technical support,
Secretarial support

Research Requirements
Skilled manpower (postdoctoral or research students)
Specialised equipment, Consumables, Travel funds

76
 Genesis of a Research Project
Idea development
Well informed literature survey of the field of interest
Cutting edge Research
Familiarity with the topic

Identification of the problem or idea

Identification of the gaps between problem and its solution
Need base analysis (Generation on the basis of ground realities)
Resource analysis
patent database
Recent scientific literature
Peers discussions
Verification of Idea/ Confirmation of the idea
Novelty/ originality of the idea/ the work has not
been done earlier.
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Development of the Research Idea

Initial research ideas are often very general but good research
questions need to be quite specific.

Brainstorm
Familiarity with the topic
Reviewing the literature
Share/Discuss
Understand expectations
Keep it interesting
Formulate an Research idea/question

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 Preparation of a Concept Paper
Turning Ideas Into Research Problem
Research projects need a concept paper
helps a researcher spot holes in the research project

Concept paper is a summary which describes the following;

•Novel and innovative idea-What the project is

•Gaps between problem and solutions-why it is important

•What are the national and international needs

•How it will be carried out

At this stage you don’t worry about the style
and format for writing a concept Paper 79
 What You Want To Do??

•What are the targets to achieve

•Settings the milestones

80
 Broad Term Methodology

•How you will conduct the research

•Awareness about the latest technology in your
field
•Well defined methodologies.

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 Expected Outcomes

Scientific Outcomes
New methodology
Patents
Publications
Discoveries
Socio-Economic outcomes/impact
Betterment towards the disease treatment
Development of the Economy

82
 Developing Research Team-
Selection of the Suitable Experts of the
Field
Human Resources:

Recruitment of suitable researchers team

• committed to improving their research skills
• motivated towards achieving research targets

Identification of champs in the field- for networking

and collaboration
Recruit sufficient number of participants

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Where to Conduct the Research Project?

•Institutional Impact
•Identification of the place to conduct the desire
research.
•Infrastructure

84
Informed Consent and Consent Meeting
Research participants should be given sufficient
information about the project

They have right to make an informed decision whether

or not to participate in a research project.

Consent should be voluntary

Consent should be informed
Consent should be in writing
Research Ethics Committee approval
Institutional Review Board Approval
Copyrights and confidentiality 85
Seeking For the Funding Agency
Nobody Would Ever Invite You PERSONALLY to apply
for the Funding

Look for the appropriate funding agency

Once you identify the funding agency analyze the
following

Priority Areas of Research

The regions or countries they are covering
Amount of funding/ support offered
Then,

Deadlines
Format of the application 86
Process of Evaluation
Remember Efforts for Research
Funding is Not for Money, It is
for a Cause

87
 Why Look For Funding???

Resource mobilization is the most

important indicator in professional
development.

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 Types of Funded Research

1- Research you really want to do

Find a Sponsor

2-Topics some sponsor wants you to work

Respond to Request for Projects

89
Top Secrets for Getting Research
Funds are Going to Reveal Now…

90
 Secret-1: Numbers Game

“Apply to as many places as possible,

and let the numbers work for you.”

91
 Secret-2: Networking

• Know the people who take the decision.

• Get to know some of the grant agency
personnel and ask for suggestions,
criticism and advise about the proposed
project.
• Bring them on board.

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 Secret-3: What they Want?

Identify the requirements of the grant-making

agency and be certain that your project fulfills
them.

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 Secret-4: Uniqueness

• What is it, that you have, that will allow you

to succeed where others may have
failed????

• How you can make a unique contribution

that others could not attain within the same
time frame????
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What is Well-Prepared Grant Proposal?

• Thoughtfully Planned
• Concisely Packaged
• Absolutely True
• Budget Consistent with the Proposal’s
Narrative

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 Avoid in Proposal?

• Tall Claims
• Excessive Language
• Jargon

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 Neutral Third Party Review

• When first or second draft is completed

seek out a neutral party to review the
proposal for Continuity, Clarity and
Reasoning.
• Ask for constructive criticism.

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 A Low Probability Game?

• Low success rates

• More than half are rejected on first

reading because:
- Applicant did not follow
directions
- Proposal did not match
program

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 Applications Submitted to NIH
• Approximately 46,000
grant applications are
submitted to NIH each
year, of which 25-30%
are funded
• Competing grant
applications are
received for three
review cycles per year

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How do you maximize the
chances of turning your
great idea into a winning
grant application?

100
Research Proposal-The Basic Elements

• Conceptual innovation/ Competence

• Methodological rigor and rich
• Strong contents
• A Good Idea
• A Program to Submit it to

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 SMART
• Base on SMART concept
• S Specific
• M Measureable
• A Achievable
• R Realistic
• T Time Specific

102
Two Rational Question

• Why
• How

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 Research Proposals
• Why you select certain topic???

• Significance
• Implication
• Limitations
• Further Directions

104
Capture the Reviewer's Attention
• Writing for committee competition is an art –
different from research work itself.
• Clear answer of the following Qs.
– What we are going to learn as the result of
proposed project that we don’t know NOW?
– Why is it worth Knowing?
– How will we know that the conclusion is
valid?
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Capture the Reviewer's Attention

• Committee member rarely has time to comb

proposals for hidden answers.
– Immediate, crisp, forceful answer is needed.

The opening paragraph or first page is your first and

last chance .

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 Aim for Clarity
• Multidisciplinary committee member

• Be clear and simple but yet innovative

• Avoid jargons

• Keep spot lights on ideas

107
 Establishment of the Context

• What will be learned as the result of the

project
• Summary of current state of the knowledge
• A good bibliography-symbol of preparatory
work
• Complete and updated references

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 Practical Considerations

• Research the funding program

• Is there actually money available, or is this just a general
announcement?
• What budget is expected?
• Deadline? Duration?
• Forms?
• Are there special needs of the program (e.g., education, non-
education, target groups, industrial connection, basic research)

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 Competitive Edge

• Funding agencies always have the same problem: lots of

proposals / little money.
• To stand out, your proposal needs a competitive edge
• Industrial involvement
• Good brainstorming session with co-PI
• Collaboration with colleagues / interdisciplinary /
interuniversity
• Involve students

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 Remember Win -Win
• When you approach prospective collaborators
• their enthusiasm will be proportional to their
anticipated gain (mentorship, authorship, equipment,
resources)

The donor
Your interest
interest

Successful Project 111

 Research Plan

• Overall goals
• Specific aims
• Preliminary results

112
 Research Plan
• Start with an outline
• Include sufficient information required for
evaluation
• Grant application should stand alone
• Specific and informative
• Tell the reviewer that what you are going to do and
how you will do it.

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 Research Plan
• What do you intend to do??

• Why is the work important (Significance)??

• What has already been done??

• How are you going to do that the work??

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 Key Components
• Title Page
• Abstract: best written after the following is written.
• The Body
– Introduction: An Introduction giving a brief statement of why the area of study
is important.
– Methods
• Sample
• Measures
• Design
• Procedures
– Results
– Conclusions
• References: A bibliography of the references cited in the proposal
• Tables
• Figures
• Appendices

• https://
www.monash.edu/rlo/graduate-research-writing/write-the-thesis/writing-a-research-
proposal
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Other Very Important Components

A budget itemized to explain the need for the funding that you are
requesting.

A justification of the budget to show that all the requests are

reasonable.

A timetable to show how you plan to accomplish the work.

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 Gantt Chart
Year One Year Two
Jan Mar- May July Sep- Nov Jan Mar- May- July Sep- Nov-
- Apr -Jun -Aug Oct -Dec - Apr Jun -Aug Oct Dec
Fab Fab

Hiring of staff
Order equipments and
chemicals
Designing andd optimization of
scheme
Syntheses/ Purification/
characterization
Toxicity studies
Biological activities of
compounds
Bioavailability studies
Research article write up
Progress report

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 Title Page
• brief yet explicit title
• the names of the principle investigator(s), the
institutional affiliation of the applicants
• name and address of the granting agency,
project dates,
• amount of funding requested, and signatures of
university personnel authorizing the proposal.

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 Abstract
• first or may be last impression of your project.
• The abstract should explain the key elements of your
research project in the future tense.
• Most abstracts state:
• the general purpose
• specific goals
• research design
• Methods
• significance (contribution and rationale)
119
 Table of Contents
• The table of contents lists the sections and
subsections of the proposal and their page
numbers.

120
 Introduction
• key elements of your proposal,
• statement of the problem,
• the purpose of research,
• research goals or objectives,
• significance of the research.
• background and rationale for the project and
establish the need and relevance of the
research.

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 Introduction
• How is your project different from previous
research on the same topic?
• identify the anticipated outcomes of the
research and should match up to the needs
identified in the statement of problem.
• List only the principle goal(s) or objective(s)
of your research and save sub-objectives for
the project narrative.

122
 Literature Review/ Background
Reviewers want to know whether you've done
the necessary preliminary research to
undertake your project.
Literature reviews should be selective and
critical, not exhaustive.
Reviewers want to see your evaluation of
pertinent works.

123
 Benefits and Feasibility of the
Proposed Project
Most proposals discuss the advantages or
benefits of doing the proposed project.
This acts as an argument in favor of approving
the project.
Also, some proposals discuss the likelihood of
the project's success.

124
 Method, Procedure, Theory
• How you will run a project, if approved to do it.

• Additional persuasive element- shows the audience your

sound, well-thought-out approach to the project.

• Serves as the other form of background some proposals

need.
• Background focused on the problem or need that brings
about the proposal.

• this section discuss the technical background relating to the

procedures or technology to be used in the proposed work.
• Cost effective nature.
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 Schedule/ Timeline
• Most proposals contain a section that shows
not only the projected completion date but also
key milestones for the project.
• Periodic progress reports-for longer time scale.
• time spans for each phase of the project-if cant
be specific.

126
 Qualifications
• summary of the proposing individual's or
organization's qualifications to do the
proposed work-mini-resume
• The proposal audience uses it to decide
whether you are suited for the project.
• Also includes, work experience, similar
projects, references, training, and education

127
 Budget/Costs and Resources Required
• detailed costs of the project
• costs of equipment and supplies, and etc.

128
 Conclusions
• Bring readers back to a focus on the positive
aspects of the project.
• Urging committee to get in touch to work out
the details of the project
• Remind them of the benefits of doing the
project,
• Ensuring that you and your organization are
the right choice for the project.

129
 Appendices

• All the supplementary materials

130
 Issues
• Ethical issues
– Privacy
– Intellectual Property
– Confidentiality
• Other issues
– Continuous participation

131
 Review of Research Grants
REVIEW CRITERIA:
– Significance
– Approach
– Innovation
– Investigator-fame of PI and Co-PI
– Environment-organization
– Overall Evaluation & Score Reflects Impact on
Field
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 Review Criteria (Continued)
• Significance: Does the study address an important problem?
How will scientific knowledge be advanced?

• Approach: Are design and methods well-developed and

appropriate? Are problem areas addressed?

• Innovation: Are there novel concepts or approaches? Are

the aims original and innovative?

• Investigator: Is the investigator appropriately trained?

• Environment: Does the scientific environment contribute to

the probability of success? Are there unique features of the
scientific environment? 133
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Thank you

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