How to write a research proposal…..?

By

Prof. Ashraf AbdelbasetProfessor of pediatrics

• What does a research proposal mean?

• What is its importance?

• How to formulate it?

• What are the common mistakes in

proposal writing?

What does a research proposal mean?

A formal way of describing a research project. It contains all the key elements involved in the research process and includes sufficient information for the readers to evaluate the proposed study.

Is it important?

The proposal should convince the readers

that you have:

– An important research idea.

– A good grasp of the relevant

literature and the major issues.

– Sound methodology.

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Format

• There can be some variation

depending on the nature of the

topic.

• A full proposal will be between

8,000 and 10,000 words.

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Title

• Concise and descriptive.

• Stated in terms of a functional

relationship

• Informative and catchy.

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Title

High quality title

• Pricks the reader's interest.

• Predisposes him/her favorably

towards the proposal

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Introduction

Purposes

• What is the nature of the

proposed research topic?

• Why is it important?

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Introduction

Frame

Brief description of your problemdomain:

– Understand its basic terminology and issues

– Formulate a research question.– Provide the motivation for the

proposed project

.

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Introduction

Frame (cont…)

Explanation of the problem boundaries:

Elucidate what aspects of the problem domain are to be included and what aspects would be excluded from the thesis project.

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

IntroductionFrame (cont…)

Formulation of research question(hypothesis):

– Easily understood – Guide and inform the research project.– Focus on a single aspect of the problem

domain.– Can be refined into more specific project

objectives, satisfaction of which would

lead directly to answering the research

question.

For exploratory or phenomenological research, you

may not have any hypotheses.

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Introduction

Frame (cont…)

Highlighting the significance of yourresearch in practical and theoretical terms.

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

IntroductionTips

• Try to place your research question in the context of either a current "hot" area, or an older area that remains viable.

• Provide a brief but appropriate historical backdrop.

• Provide the contemporary context in which your proposed research question occupies the central stage.

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

IntroductionTips (cont..)

• Identify "key players" and refer to the most relevant and representative publications.

• Try to paint your research question in broad brushes and at the same time bring out its significance.

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Introduction

High quality introduction • The reader’s interest should

be engaged.

• He should understand why the general topic is worth pursuing and what your research question is.

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

IntroductionProblems

• If the research problem is framed in the context of a general, rambling literature review, then the research question may appear trivial and uninteresting.

• No hard and fast rules on how to frame your research question.

• No prescription on how to write an interesting and informative opening paragraph.

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

IntroductionProblems (cont..)

A lot depends on your creativity,

your ability to think clearly and the depth of your

understanding of problem areas.

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Sometimes the literature review is incorporated into the introduction section. However, most professors prefer a separate section, which allows a more thorough review of the literature.

Review

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Purposes• Gives credits to those who

have laid the groundwork for your research.

• Demonstrates your knowledge of the research problem.

• Demonstrates your understanding of the theoretical and research issues related to your research question.

Review

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Purposes (cont..)

• Shows your ability to critically evaluate relevant literature information.

• Indicates your ability to integrate and synthesize the existing literature.

• Provides new theoretical insights or develops a new model as the conceptual framework for your research.

Review

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Frame

• There are different ways to organize your literature review.

• Make use of subheadings to bring order and coherence to your review.

• Show evidence of wide reading (in the case of Masters theses, at least 40-60 articles on topics related to your own, and in the case of PhD could be over a 100).

Review

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Tips• Ensure that you are not

"reinventing the wheel". • Keep in mind that you are telling

a story to an audience. Try to tell it in a stimulating and engaging manner. Do not bore them, because it may lead to rejection of your worthy proposal.

Remember: Professors and scientists are human beings too!!!.

Review

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

High Quality reviewFormulate a conceptual framework which provides the context for:• understanding your own

research work and its main research question.

• showing the significance of the answers likely to emerge in the process.

Review

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Problems

• Lacking organization and structure

• Lacking focus, unity and coherence

• Being repetitive and verbose • Failing to cite influential papers

• Failing to keep up with recent

developments

Review

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Problems (CONT..)

• Failing to critically evaluate cited papers

• Citing irrelevant or trivial references

• Depending too much on secondary sources

Review

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Purposes

• How you plan to tackle your research problem.

• Describe the activities necessary for the completion of your project.

Methods

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Frame

Design:Observational:

• Cross-sectional (prevalence).• Retrospective (case-control).• Prospective (incidence).

Experimental:• Therapeutic.

• Preventive.

Methods

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Frame (cont..)

Subjects or participants:– Who will take part in your study ?– What kind of sampling procedure

do you use? – What is the sample size?– Instruments - What kind of

measuring instruments or questionnaires do you use? Why do you choose them? Are they valid and reliable?

Methods

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Frame (cont..)

Instruments • What kind of measuring

instruments or questionnaires do you use?

• Why do you choose them? • Are they valid and reliable?

Methods

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Frame (cont..)

Procedure• How do you plan to carry out

your study? • What activities are involved? • How long does it take?

Data analysis.

Ethical considerations

Methods

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

High quality method

The Method section is a detailed description of exactly how the study was conducted.

The detail is important so the reader can determine the appropriateness of the method for answering the scientific questions.

It is also important for another researcher to be able to replicate the study.

This section reads a lot like a recipe.

Methods

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Finances

•These should be set out as:

Capital costs

Recurrent expenses.

Over the time frame

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

The Results section contains the

summaries and analyses of the

measures obtained in the study.

This is where the "answers" to the

research questions will be found.

Results

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

Obviously you do not have results at the proposal stage. However, you need to have some idea about what kind of data you will be collecting, and what statistical procedures will be used in order to answer your research question or test you hypothesis.

Results

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

• Finish your proposal off with a summing up of your research question and your research design as well as a restatement of the significance of your research.

• This is a small but important section.

Summary

Title

Introduction

Review

Methods

Finances

Results

Summary

References

• This contains details of all the items you cite in your proposal document.

• Include only those sources you have referred to in the text of the proposal.

References

Common Mistakes in Proposal Writing • Failure to provide the proper

context to frame the research question.

• Failure to delimit the boundary conditions for your research.

• Failure to cite landmark studies. • Failure to accurately present the

theoretical and empirical contributions by other researchers.

Common Mistakes in Proposal Writing

(cont..) • Failure to stay focused on the research

question. • Failure to develop a coherent and persuasive

argument for the proposed research. • Too much detail on minor issues, but not

enough detail on major issues. • Too much rambling -- going "all over the

map" without a clear sense of direction. (The best proposals move forward with ease and grace like a seamless river.)

Common Mistakes in Proposal Writing (cont..)

• Too many citation lapses and incorrect references.

• Too long or too short. • Failing to follow the APA style. • Slopping writing.

One's research is only as a good as one's proposal.

An ill-conceived proposal dooms the project even if it

somehow gets through the thesis supervisors.

A high quality proposal not only promises success for the project, but also impresses your supervisor about your potential as a researcher.

The quality of your research proposal depends not only on the quality of your proposed project, but also on the quality of your proposal writing