RESEARCH PROBLEM DEFINITION Research Methodology Why define the

RESEARCH PROBLEM DEFINITION Research Methodology

Why define the Research Problem? Defining your destination before beginning a journey. ¡ It determines, ¡ l l 10/24/2021 what you will do, will it withstand scientific scrutiny, how you will do it, and what you may achieve! Research Proposal Development 2

How is a research problem selected? Researchers interest in a topic ¡ National or agency priorities ¡ Urgency of an issue ¡ Availability of research funds ¡ Availability of supervision ¡ 10/24/2021 Research Proposal Development 3

Steps in defining research problems 1. 2. 3. 4. Identify a broad topic Identify a narrow topic within the broad topic Raise questions Formulate objectives ¡ 10/24/2021 Use action-oriented words - To demonstrate; To evaluate; To measure… Research Proposal Development 4

Identifying Broad Topics ¡ Think of the BIG PICTURE l l l ¡ Pick one based on: l l l 10/24/2021 What is the problem you are trying to solve? Think of something you like to learn more about Consult text books, journal or your supervisor Interest and relevance Magnitude of work involved Level of expertise ¡ yours and your advisors Research Proposal Development 5

Examples of Broad Topics l l l 10/24/2021 Optimizing productivity of land water resources Ensuring Food Safety & Security Sustaining Agricultural & Marine Environments Research Proposal Development 6

From Broad Topic to Narrow Topic ¡ Examples of a narrow topic: l l ¡ 10/24/2021 Liver disease in Goat Greenhouse Agriculture Milk Quality Greywater reuse potential in Oman When selecting a narrow topic think how it can contribute towards solving the BIG PROBLEM! Research Proposal Development 7

Problem Tree – Keep asking Why? Unskilled Labor Inefficient Irrigation Unsuitable Climate Inefficient Water harvesting Water Scarcity Lack of crop varieties adapted to climate Unsuitable Crops Farming Patterns do not Return nutrients Low Labor Productivity Food Insecurity Low Land Productivity Farmers can’t afford fertilizers Poor Soil 10/24/2021 Research Proposal Development Farmers unaware of best practices 8

Proposal Writing

Sections Title ¡ Introduction ¡ l additional sub sections if necessary Objectives ¡ Materials & Methods ¡ l additional sub sections if necessary A tentative time table ¡ A budget. ¡ 10/24/2021 Research Proposal Development 10

Title Specific & Short ¡ This forms the first impression about your research ¡ l 10/24/2021 If vague – Reader will be cynical Research Proposal Development 11

Introduction ¡ ¡ ¡ Convince the reader that you have identified a research problem, worthy of investigating. Start very general – Broad Topic Highlight l l ¡ Reduce it to a narrow topic by l l ¡ Raising questions, and Stating answers from literature for most. Establish Rationale: l 10/24/2021 the concept Practical significance Research is necessary questions for which there is no answer yet. Research Proposal Development 12

Objectives Provide a clear statement of the overall question- General objective ¡ Follow it with action oriented tasks Specific objectives. ¡ If more than one specific objective state them sequentially ¡ 10/24/2021 Research Proposal Development 13

Methodology ¡ ¡ ¡ State it explicitly Enough detail for the reader to follow First give an overall summary of your study design and methodological approach. Then provide the methodology for each specific objective. Describe l l l 10/24/2021 the specific design (what will you do and how, number of replicates, etc. ), the materials and techniques that will be used, and the feasibility of these techniques. Use literature to support design, materials & techniques Need not repeat standard procedures – but give a reference. Research Proposal Development 14

References List all references ¡ In alphabetical order ¡ 10/24/2021 Research Proposal Development 15

GANTT Chart (Time line) Task Quarter 1 Quarter 2 Quarter 3 Quarter 4 Survey Test GWT Analyze data Write Thesis 10/24/2021 Research Proposal Development 16

Budget SUMMARY OF FUNDS REQUESTED (RO) Year 1 Capital Equipment Year 2 Year 3 7500 TOTAL 7500 Recurrent Items 8000 6000 16000 30000 Use of University Facilities 1000 3000 Local Travel Costs 1000 3000 Publication Costs 500 2500 2600 2000 6000 12500 18000 22500 53000 Miscellaneous TOTAL 10/24/2021 Research Proposal Development 17