DSMHT 404:Research Methodology and Knowledge Management

Lecture on:

The BSc Research Proposal

and
Research Design

Nushrat Tashmin
Assistant Professor
Department of Disaster Science and Management
Faculty of Earth and Environmental Sciences
University of Dhaka
Reasons to do research
• In order of understanding:
1. to explore a poorly-understood situation or phenomenon, generate
research questions and hypotheses
only applicable in situations of ignorance (no previous systematic study)
2. to describe a situation or phenomenon
phenomenon is known but not systematically described
3. to explain (to some level of understanding) the causes of a
phenomenon
4. to predict the future or at unobserved locations
5. to guide decisions which must be taken
 Main focus of study Research can investigate either:
• An object or thing in itself: Something about the natural world, the built world,
or society; e.g.
changes in land use in a study area;
commerce patterns in a district;
audit of a reconstruction project after a natural disaster; or,

• The methodology: How the “thing in itself” is best studied, e.g.

How to assess land-use changes with multiple satellite sensors of different
resolution;
how to visualize spatio-temporal commerce patterns;
how to map reconstructed buildings from high-resolution imagery using image
segmentation techniques.
Basic Components of a Proposal:
• The research proposal often has a conventional structure:
Problem ⇒ Objectives ⇒ Questions ⇒ Hypotheses ⇒Methods
• The research problem is a general statement of what is not known
and should be discovered by research.
• the research objectives are statements of what is expected as the
results of the research.
• the research questions are specific questions that the research can
answer.
• the hypotheses are expected answers to each question
• Research methods are chosen in order to answer the research
questions
• If the research is carried out in a specific geographic area the study
area must be described
Common elements :From research proposal
to Thesis
• Common elements of a research proposal A research proposal usually has a logical
structure something like:
Problem ⇒ Objectives ⇒ Questions ⇒ Hypotheses ⇒ Methods
The problem, objectives, questions and hypotheses are usually in one chapter called
Introduction.
• This is usually followed by literature review and methods chapters.
• The thesis will then have several more chapters, covering:
* results,
* discussion,
* conclusions and
* recommendations.
Basic Structure of the Research Proposal
• Scientific Summary
• Introduction and Background
• Research Problem/ Problem Statement
• Objectives
• Research Questions
• Hypothesis
• Study Area
• Methodology
• Methodological Framework / Research Design
• Data Source and Availability
• Social Contribution
• Work Plan
• References
Research design
• Research design is the framework of research methods and techniques
chosen by a researcher.
• The design allows researchers to hone in on research methods that are
suitable for the subject matter and set up their studies up for success.
• The design of a research topic explains the type of research
(experimental, survey research, correlational, semi-experimental,
review) and also its sub-type (experimental design, research problem,
descriptive case-study).
Example:
• Research design is part of research proposal.
• Research design is mainly method, discussion, budget.
• Research proposal is composed of title, abstract, table of contents,
introduction, literature review plus research design.
• A research design cannot stand alone. It has to be part of a research
(proposal) to have meaning and purpose.
• An impactful research usually creates a minimum bias in data and
increases trust in the accuracy of collected data. A design that
produces the least margin of error in experimental research is
generally considered the desired outcome. The essential elements are:
1.Accurate purpose statement
2.Techniques to be implemented for collecting and analyzing research
3.The method applied for analyzing collected details
4.Type of research methodology
5.Probable objections for research
6.Settings for the research study
7.Timeline
8.Measurement of analysis
Thank you…