How to write a research proposal By Prof

How to write a research proposal…. . ? By Prof. Ashraf Abdelbaset Professor 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.

Format Title Introduction Review Methods Finances Results Summary References • 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 • Concise and descriptive. Methods • Stated in terms of a functional relationship Finances • Informative and catchy. Review Results Summary References

Title Introduction Review Methods Finances Results Summary References High quality title • Pricks the reader's interest. • Predisposes him/her towards the proposal favorably

Introduction Title Introduction Review Methods Finances Results Summary References Purposes • What is the nature of the proposed research topic? • Why is it important?

Introduction Title Frame Introduction Review Methods Brief description of your problem domain: Finances Results Summary References . – Understand its basic terminology and issues – Formulate a research question. – Provide the motivation for the proposed project

Introduction Title Frame (cont…) Introduction Review Methods Finances Results Summary References Explanation of the problem boundaries: Elucidate what aspects of the problem domain are to be included and what aspects would be excluded from thesis project.

Introduction Title Introduction Review Methods Finances Results Summary References Frame (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.

Introduction Title Introduction Review Methods Finances Results Summary References Frame (cont…) Highlighting the significance of your research in practical and theoretical terms.

Title Introduction Review Methods Finances Results Summary References Introduction Tips • 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 historical backdrop. appropriate • Provide the contemporary context in which your proposed research question occupies the central stage.

Title Introduction Review Methods Finances Results Summary References Introduction Tips (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 Introduction Problems • 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 Introduction Problems (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 Review 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 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.

Title Introduction Review Methods Finances Results Summary References Review 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 Ph. D could be over a 100).

Title Introduction Review Methods Finances Results Summary References Review 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!!!.

Title Introduction Review Methods Finances Results Summary References Review High Quality review Formulate 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

Title Introduction Review Methods Finances Results Summary References Review Problems (CONT. . ) • Failing to critically evaluate cited papers • Citing irrelevant or trivial references • Depending too much on secondary sources

Methods Title Purposes Introduction Review Methods Finances Results Summary References • 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 Frame Instruments • Methods Finances Results Summary References (cont. . ) • • 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 Procedure • • • Frame (cont. . ) 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.

Finances Title Introduction Review Methods Finances Results Summary References These should be set out as: Capital costs Recurrent expenses. Over the time frame •

Results Title Introduction The Results section contains the Review Methods Finances Results Summary References 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.

Summary 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.

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.

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 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 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