Module 3

How to Prepare a Research Proposal

CELY S. BINOYA, PH.D.

PROFESSOR VI
Module Objectives

At the end of the lesson, the students should

be able to:
 Explain the various parts of a research
proposal
 Identify research problem either thru the
deductive or inductive approach
 Write an appropriate title of the study
considering problem identified
 Write chapter I with complete parts
 Topics Covered:
 Parts of a research proposal
 The Research Process
 Writing Chapter 1:
 Problem Identification
 Proposed research topics
 Introduction and Background of the Study
 Statement of the problem
 Objectives of the study
 Significance of the study
 Scope and delimitations of the Study
 Parts of a Research Proposal
Source: MPCF Research Manual

OUTLINE
• COVER PAGE
• TABLE OF CONTENTS
• CHAPTER 1- INTRODUCTION
• Rationale (background of the study) ,
• Statement of the problem,
• Objectives of the study
• Significance of the Study
• Scope and Delimitations of the Study
 Parts of a Research Proposal

OUTLINE
• REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURES
Thematic review of Literatures
Synthesis of the Art
Assumptions
Theoretical and Conceptual Framework
Hypothesis
Operational Definition of Terms
 Parts of a Research Proposal

OUTLINE

CHAPTER 2 . METHODOLOGY
• Research Design
• Study population and Sampling
• Instrumentation
• Data gathering procedure
• Statistical Analysis

APPENDICES
References/Bibliography maximum of 2 pages
 The Research Process
 Planning Phase
 Choose a problem
 Review literatures
 Choose appropriate method / design
 Write proposal
 Implementation Phase
 Collect Data
 Analyze Data
 Write report
 Writing Chapter 1
 Problem identification
 Ifyou have question in mind about
something within your field or interest and
expertise
 You want to discover new and innovative
ideas or practices
 Feasible to carry out
 Writing Chapter 1
 Problem identification
 Two approaches in problem identification:
Inductiveapproach – from specific to general.
Review the environment or the context of your
problem
Deductive approach – from general to specific.
Explore the nature of the problem and find
theories that can serve as framework of your
analysis of the problem
 Relevant
Theories &
Concepts

Conceptual

Inductions
framework:
Problem Predictions
hypotheses &
variables

Relevant
Analyses
Research
and
Studies;
Results
Observations

Collection
of Data Measurement
Design
and Devices
Information

Figure 1. THE RESEARCH PROCESSS

Writing a research problem

 Express a relationship between two

or more variables
 State
the problem clearly and
unambiguously
 Short, not more than 10 words
Problems that not researchable

 Those that deal with ethical or moral questions

 Questions that do not require mental struggle
 Questions whose answers are already known or
those that can be answered by yes or no
 Metaphysical questions (related to our belief on the
supreme being)
Institutional Research Priorities
Source: PACUCOA Accreditation Instrument
Conducted research topics of
students
1. Awareness, Acceptance and
Implementation of the institutional
philosophy and the College / Department
mission, vision, objectives and program
outcomes by Stakeholders
2. Assessment of student performance in
different courses as influenced by frequent
student consultation with faculty
Conducted research topics of
students
3.Evaluation of co-curricular activities at MPCF
and its impact on students’ learning
4. Effect of faculty advanced degrees / or academic
updating on enhancing the teaching – learning
process and improvement in the academic
performance of MPCF students.
5. Evaluation of community outreach activities of
MPCF: Its impact on beneficiaries
 Conducted research topics of
students
6. Tracer study of MPCF graduates
7. Comparative assessment of various teaching methods in
achieving learning outcomes and its effect on students’
performance of MPCF
8. Content and item analysis of exams for validity and reliability
9. Effect of remedial classes on improving students’ performance
at MPCF
10. Students’ satisfaction in the use of MPCF laboratory facilities /
equipment
Conducted research topics of
students
11. Assessment of the research competencies of
MPCF Faculty and staff
12. Satisfaction survey on the utilization and
continuous improvement of MPCF Library Services
13. MPCF Extension and Outreach Program: Effects
on the skills and perceived value system of faculty,
students and service community
Conducted research topics of
students
 14. Stakeholders’ Satisfaction of MPCF
physical facilities
 15. Survey on the waste management
practices at MPCF of Canaman
 16. Assessment of the implementation of the
MPCF’ strategic plan.


Research Priorities in
Maritime Studies
https://www.wmu.se/research/priority-areas
Research Topics
 Group 1 - Effects of maritime activities on the natural environment
 Group 2 - Maritime human resource development through education and
training focused on MTI
 Group 3 - Level of Effectiveness of Online Education on the
Performance Level of 3rd Year BSMARE Students of MPCF
 Group 4 - Law, policy and governance influencing maritime safety
Environmental Impact of
Maritime Activities
 Key topic areas:
• Effects of maritime activities on the natural environment –
Group 1
• Ways (at policy and operational levels) of limiting and
avoiding negative effects of maritime activities
• The development and implementation of international
instruments for the protection of the marine environment
• Development of new and sustainable practices for the
maritime industry
Maritime Safety
 Key topic areas:
• Law, policy and governance influencing
maritime safety
• Accident aetiology and safety modelling at Sea
• Technological trends - contributory and
disruptive influences on the maritime industry
and vice versa
• Simulation for ship safety
Maritime Energy Management
 Key topic areas:
• Maritime energy policy and governance
• Economics and social dimensions of energy management
• Energy management over the life-cycle of ships and in
maritime onshore facilities (ports, shipyards)
• Renewable energy including ocean energy applicable to
the maritime industry
• Marine technology and innovation related to energy
• The circular economy from a waste reduction and
renewable energy perspective
Maritime Social and Labour
Governance
 Key topic areas:
• Maritime human resource development through education and
training – Group 2
• Organizational behaviour for optimizing well-being and overall
performance
• Technology - its place in education and training and its impacts on
the human element;
• Seafarers and other maritime professionals’ rights and welfare;
• Gender, diversity, and culture in the maritime industry
• Supply and demand of maritime labour
• Migration laws and maritime professionals
Maritime and Marine
Technology and Innovation
 Key topic areas:
• Technological development including digitalization, artificial
intelligence, autonomous shipping, big data and its manifestation and
effects in the maritime industry e.g. in autonomous vessels, in
sustainable energy generation, in education and training etc.
• Trend analyses of technology and its impact on the maritime industry
and society
• Predictive modelling of technological developments and their impacts
e.g. on labour supply and demand
• Security infrastructure for technological systems - currently focused on
cyber-security
• Fundamental philosophies relating to the sociological phenomena that
drive a “technological society”
Maritime Economics and Business
 Key topic areas:
• Global economic and business environments for shipping and
ports
• Shipping market mechanism
• Financial maritime risk management strategies
• Optimal maritime investment strategies
• Efficient and effective port operations and management
• Shipping and ports as global logistics and supply chain
components
• Optimal ship routing and freight pricing with real-time AIS data
• The circular economy from a business perspective
Maritime Law, Policy and Governance
 Key topic areas:
• Promote the understanding and efficient implementation of maritime legal instruments
and attendant administrative mechanisms and related policies
• Design, formulation, implementation and evaluation of law and policy at international,
regional, and national levels
• Administrative framework for fulfilling national obligations under international treaties
• Maritime and port security as well as unlawful acts at sea including terrorism, piracy,
illegal migration at sea, cyber-security breaches, and illegal, unreported and
unregulated (IUU) fishing
• Implementation mechanisms e.g. under the legal enforcement regimes prescribed by the
IMO, ILO and other UN bodies
• Unlawful acts in the form of corruption, i.e. facilitation payment, bribery and the
promotion of anti-corruption awareness in the industry, together with the industry,
NGOs and other UN bodies
• Application of international law and policy to non-conventional vessels including
domestic ferries and fishing vessels
• The circular economy from a policy and legal perspective
Writing Chapter 1 of the
Research Proposal
 Writing CHAPTER 1 - INTRODUCTION

 The purpose of the introduction is to explain the

underlying assumption and the relevance of the
research project.
 The introduction should:
 State the general idea of the project or research,
 Summarize the relevance of the topic,
 Present previous studies and approaches in relation to
the proposed project/research,
 Present the gaps in information relative to the problem
 Describe the research site (if field research).
 Statement of the Problem

 Include key issues the research

proposal will address and why they
are considered issues or problems.
 Summarize the nature and intent of
the project to the selected area.
 State the problems in question form
 Objectives of the study

 It state what the study intends to achieve

 It is SMARTER – specific, measurable,
attainable, realistic, time bound, exciting /
new, and relevant to issues / problems at
hand and to your field of discipline
 It is stated in declarative sentence
 Significance of the Study

Presents the relevance of the project /

study to a selected project area/ site.
Identifies the benefits that the
intended users of the findings can get
from the research
 Scope and delimitations of the Study

 Presents the place and time of the study

 Present descriptive data (e.g. socio-demographic,
economic profile) of the project area to be studied.
 Explain why the project site was chosen.

 Presents the limitations in the methodology

of the study, including limitations of the
design to be used, sampling and in the
utilization of findings
 Workshop 1

 Formulate your research problem / topic

 Writeyour introduction, statement of the
problem and objectives
 Write the significance of your study
 Write the scope and delimitations of your
study
References

 Intal, AM. 1988. Lecture Notes in Research Designs. UPLB

 MPCF Research Manual
 PACUCOA Accreditation Instrument
 SEARCA SFRT Guidelines: https://www.searca.org/sfrt-grants
 World Maritime University website
https://www.wmu.se/research/priority-areas