Research Proposal – In its most common sense, methodology is the study of research methods. However, the term can also refer to the methods themselves or to the philosophical discussion of associated background assumptions. A method is a structured procedure for bringing about a certain goal, like acquiring knowledge or verifying knowledge claims. This normally involves various steps, like choosing a sample, collecting data from this sample, and interpreting the data. The study of methods concerns a detailed description and analysis of these processes. It includes evaluative aspects by comparing different methods.
In this way, their benefits and drawbacks are evaluated, as well as the research goals for which they may be used. These descriptions and evaluations are predicated on philosophical background assumptions; examples include how to conceptualize the phenomena under study and what constitutes evidence in favor of or against them. In its broadest sense, methodology encompasses the discussion of these more abstract issues.
Research Proposal
Definition of Research Proposal
According to polit and Hungler:
“A research proposal is a written document Specifying what a researcher intends to study.
Or
A research proposal is a document proposing a research project, generally in the sciences or academia, and generally constitutes a request for sponsorship of that research.
(Ref by-Seenidurai Paulraj/Introduction to Nursing Research/1st/172 and handout)
Types of Research Proposal:
| Solicited proposals | Submitted in response to a specific solicitation issued by a sponsor. Such solicitations, typically called Request for Proposals (RFP), or Request for Quotations (RFQ), are usually specific in their requirements regarding format and technical content, and may stipulate certain award terms and conditions. Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs) are not considered formal solicitations. |
| Unsolicited proposals | Submitted to a sponsor that has not issued a specific solicitation but is believed by the investigator to have an interest in the subject. |
| Pre-proposals | Requested when a sponsor wishes to minimize an applicant’s effort in preparing a full proposal. Pre-proposals are usually in the form of a letter of intent or brief abstract. After the pre-proposal is reviewed, the sponsor notifies the investigator if a full proposal is warranted. |
| Continuation or non-competing proposals | Confirm the original proposal and funding requirements of a multi-year project for which the sponsor has already provided funding for an initial period (normally one year). Continued support is usually contingent on satisfactory work progress and the availability of funds. |
| Renewal or competing proposals | Are requests for continued support for an existing project that is about to terminate, and, from the sponsor’s viewpoint, generally have the same status as an unsolicited proposal. |
Aims of Research Proposal
| Relevance | Convince the reader that your project is interesting, original and important |
| Context | Show that you are familiar with the field, you understand the current state of research on the topic, and your ideas have a strong academic basis |
| Approach | Make a case for your methodology, showing that you have carefully thought about the data, tools and procedures you will need to conduct the research |
| Feasibility | Confirm that the project is possible within the practical constraints of the programme, institution or funding |
The following are the steps involved in preparing a research proposal:
1. Overview: The proposal should begin with an overview of the major points from each of the other sections, presenting an overview of the entire proposal.
2. Background: The background to the problem, including the environmental context should be discussed.
3.Problem definition/Objectives of the research: The statement of the problem including the specific component should be presented. If this statement has not been developed, the objectives of the research project should clearly specified.
4. Approach to the problem: At minimum, a review of the relevant literature should be presented, along with some kind of an analytic model. If research questions and hypothesis have been identified, then this should be included in the proposal.
5. Research design; The research design adopted wheeler exploratory, descriptive or casual should be specified. Information should be provided on the following components:
- Kind of information should be obtained
- Method of administering the questionnaire
- Scaling techniques
- Nature of the questionnaire
- Sampling plan and sampling size.
6. Fieldwork/data collection: The proposal should discuss how the data will be collected and who will collect it.
7. Data Analysis: The kind of data analysis that will be conducted and how the results will be interpreted should be described.
8. Reporting: The proposal should specify whether intermediate reports will be presented and at what stages, what will be the form of the final report and whether a formal presentation of the results will be made.
9. Cost and time: The cost of the project and a time schedule, broken down by phases, should be presented. In large project s, a payment schedule is also worked out in advance.
10. Appendices: Any statistical or other information that is of interest only to a few people should be contained in appendices.
(Ref by-Seenidurai Paulraj/Introduction to Nursing Research/1st/172and handout)
Format of a Research Proposal:
1. Summary/Abstract
2. Introduction
3. Material and methods
4. Results
5. Discussion
6. Conclusion and recommendations
7. References/Bibliography
8. Acknowledgements
Contents of the Various Sections
| Introduction | Provides some background of the problem studied. It should include:
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| Methods and Materisk | This section describes clearly the following:
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| Results: | In this section are described:
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| Discussion: | In this part another should point out
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| Conclusion and recommendation | In the concluding section statement are to be made regarding –
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| References: | For each reference information is provided in the following way: For an article:
For a book:
For a chapter in a book:
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| Appendix or Annexure: | Any additional material or information that the researcher wishes to provide to the readers relevant to his study can be annexed. A copy of the research instruments should also be included in annexure. |
| Summary/ Abstract: | Having written the complete report, the researcher next prepares a summary or abstract that gives a quick overview of the work. This section briefly describes all of the above (except the reference section) using one or two sentences for each section of the report. |
(Ref by- Sadeka Tahera Khanom/Research Methodology/2nd/92)
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