Quantitative Research Methods A Practical Approach Abdul Waheed
Quantitative Research Methods A Practical Approach Abdul Waheed Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 1
Chapter 2: The Research Proposal Learning Outcomes �After reading this chapter, you should be able to: �Know the attributes of a research proposal. �Know the contents of the dissertation and project proposals. �Write a research proposal for the M. Phil. /Ph. D. dissertation. �Write a research proposal for the research project proposal. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 2
Research Proposal �A research proposal describes what you will investigate, how will you carry out your research, and why the research is essential to be conducted. �It should be noted that the proposal acts as an introduction of a thesis/dissertation or a project report. �The proposal helps the researcher to think practically and to be on the right track during the research process. �Almost all students who intend to write Master, M. Phil. or Ph. D. thesis/dissertation or those who intend to apply for scholarships or research grants, need to write a research proposal. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 3
Attributes of Good Research Proposal �It is innovative and contains impressive research idea(s). �The research questions and objectives are clear. �The methodology and data sources are well known. �The significance of the study is justified. �The objectives of the study could be met within the timeline. �The writing style is clear and concise, and there is no ambiguity. �There is no contradiction in objectives, research questions, and methodology. �The budget and the proposal narrative are consistent. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 4
Contents of the Thesis/Dissertation Proposal �Cover �Title of Study �Abstract �Introduction �Significance of the Study �Review of Literature �Research Questions �Research Objectives �Research Hypothesis �Methodology �Data Sources �Tentative Table of Content of Thesis �References Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 5
Title of Study �It should be appealing and meaningful. �It should not be a single word. �It should be short and self-explanatory. �It should reflect the study properly. �It should not be a conclusion. �It should not be contradictory to the methodology. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 6
Abstract �It motivates the reader to read the full text. �It is a brief overview of the proposal, consisting of 100 to 300 words. �It summarizes the essential elements of the research proposal. �It may not cite the existing relevant literature. �It may summarize the methods, results, and implications. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 7
Introduction �It highlights the nature of the problem. �It discusses the background of the problem. �It explains the current situation of the problem. �It discusses the significance of the study. �It states the research question(s) and the research objectives of the study. �It mentions the limitations of the study (if any). �It explains the structure of the study. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 8
Review of literature �This section provides a review of relevant theoretical, descriptive, and empirical literature in the same area. �This review should be critical. Actually, in the proposal, it is a brief review of the literature. �This section helps us to know what has been done before and highlights the gaps in research. �The conduct, significance, and scope of the literature review are further discussed in detail in the next chapter. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 9
Research Questions �The most crucial stage in any research is the development of the research question(s). �The aim of the research study is not a mere description. It aims to provide answers to a question, and the researcher needs to formulate a research question that requires answering. �For example, public debt is a broad research problem, from which several different research questions are possible, such as: �How public debt accumulated in the country? �How external debt affects economic growth? �How is internal debt contributing to external debt? �How budget deficit and current account deficit are contributing to public debt? Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 10
Research Objectives �The research objectives of the study provide an idea about the intended achievement of the study. �The research objectives of a study must be clearly stated. It should be closely related to the research question(s). �The objectives should meet the purpose of the study. �The researcher needs to state the general and specific objectives that will be covered in the study. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 11
Examples of Research Questions & Research Objectives Research Questions � 1. What is the impact of financial sector reforms on economic growth in Pakistan? � 2. What is the impact of financial sector reforms on economic development in Pakistan? Research Objectives �To perform an in-depth analysis of the financial sector reforms, which have been undertaken in Pakistan. �To develop the analytical framework for linking the financial sector and the real sector of the economy. �To evaluate the impact of the financial sector on economic growth and development of Pakistan. �To provide concrete recommendations for economic growth and development through financial sector reforms. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 12
Research Hypothesis �A hypothesis is an educated guess or prediction of the relationship between two or more variables. Theory can help the researcher to build the hypothesis. There are several points that we should keep in mind while formulating the hypothesis. �There should be no ambiguity in the stated hypothesis. �The stated hypothesis should not be too long. �The hypothesis should be specific, which should test only one issue. �The hypothesis should be easy to understand test. �The constructed hypothesis should be closely related to the study under consideration. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 13
Examples of Research Hypothesis �H 1: There is a significant effect of FDI on economic growth. �H 1: Real interest rate has a significant relationship with NPLs. �H 1: The inflation rate has a significant relationship with unemployment. �H 1: Financial development has a significant effect on domestic savings. �H 1: External debt has a significant negative effect on economic growth. �H 1: Human capital has a significant positive effect on economic growth. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 14
Methodology �The methodology section is crucial because it tells the research evaluation committee on how the proposed research work is planned to tackle the proposed research problem. �In methodology or research design first, we discuss theoretical or conceptual framework. The theoretical framework explains theory on which the study is based. �A theory is a systematic explanation of some phenomena, which identifies the core variables or elements needed to explain this relationship. Theory sometimes also suggests the nature of the relationship among different variables. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 15
Conceptual framework �Conceptual framework provides a frame of reference to the phenomenon of interest. �It shows the interrelation of the dependent and independent variables diagrammatically. �The purpose of the conceptual framework is to enable the readers to see the proposed relationships between the variables. �The conceptual framework is more abstract than theory. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 16
Tentative Table of Content of Thesis/Dissertation �The researcher should be clear about the structure of thesis/dissertation. In this section, the researcher describes: �Total number of chapters to be included in thesis/dissertation; �The order of the chapters and brief contents, and; �The proposed title of each chapter/section. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 17
Contents of Research Project Proposal �Cover �Title of Study �Summary/Abstract �Introduction �Objectives of the Study �Significance of the Study �Methodology �Expected Outcome of Research �Expected Work-Plan/Chart of Activities �Requirements of Human Resources �Requirements of Financial Resources/Proposed budget �References �Curriculum Vitae Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 18
Expected Work-plan/Chart of Activities �The work plan is a schedule or chart that summarizes the different components of a research project and describes how they are implemented. �It states the duration of the project. Here the researcher lists the various operational steps needed to undertake and indicate against each the duration by which the task will be completed. �By the use of a Gantt chart or work schedule, the researcher explains the timeframe of the study and its various stages. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 19
Gantt chart �A Gantt chart is a planning tool that depicts diagrammatically the various tasks of the project that will be completed during the allocated period of the project. �Each task's length is shown by a bar that extends over the time allocated for that task. Thus, the chart of activities has the following features. �It states a period-wise plan for each activity. �Two activities can overlap in the same period. �Each activity is given a time duration that can be justified. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 20
Gantt chart Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 21
Requirements of Human Resources �The researcher needs to explain the proposed personnel requirement and their academic qualifications/experience with the field of expertise. �This section should provide a brief introduction of principal researcher/investigator and coresearcher(s)/co-investigators. �The brief curriculum vitae (CV) of the research team should be attached to the research project proposal. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 22
Requirements of Financial Resources/ Proposed Budget It is necessary to prepare a budget for the proposed research project. Broadly, the budget includes all projected financial requirement for: �personnel (salaries wages, fringe benefits); �equipment, materials, and supplies; �data collection and data processing cost; �printing and publication, and; �travel allowance and daily allowance. �Utilizes charges (phone, internet, etc. ) �Other expenditures Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 23
References �At the end of the research proposal document, the full references of cited studies are presented. �It should be noted that a good reference list increases the credibility of the proposal. For references: �Follow proper referencing/bibliographic style. �Properly check the author's name, year of publication, the title of study, and publication source. �Alphabetical order of authors' names should be followed in the listing. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 24
Revision and Proofreading �As in any other piece of academic writing, it is essential to edit, redraft, and finally proofread the research proposal before it is submitted to the evaluation committee. �The researcher may ask senior fellows for review and feedback. The research supervisor may also give final feedback before it is submitted to the evaluation committee. �A poorly written research proposal is likely to be rejected in the initial review process, whereas a well-articulated, reader-friendly proposal reflects the ability of the researcher to carry out the research in a professional manner, thus increases the chances of approval. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 25
Research Activity �Select an area of research that is of interest to you. �Find and read relevant research materials. �Write the research proposal and submit it to the instructor/supervisor. �Make a presentation of your research proposal in the class. �Get feedback on your research proposal from the instructor/supervisor and other senior students. �Submit the final draft of the research proposal to the instructor/supervisor. Quantitative Research Methods by Abdul Waheed 26
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