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M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Research refers to a search for knowledge
Research means a scientific and systematic search for
pertinent information on a specific topic
In fact, research is an art of scientific investigation.
The purpose of research is to discover answers to
questions through the application of scientific
procedures
Research
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Any scientific research study should have a proper proposal in written form before it is actually carried out.
It is like a blue print of a building plan before the construction starts
Writing a research proposal is both science and art.
A good research proposal is based on scientific facts and on the art of clear communication
Writing a formal research proposal should be started by the time one has decided on the topic for the study
Summary of Research Proposal
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Good ◦ give a short but informative background to justify the research
hypothesis and objectives.
◦ Clearly state the hypothesis.
◦ State the objectives and/or aims of this proposal.
◦ State the impact, significance and innovation in this proposal.
◦ Define acronyms as much as possible.
Reject ◦ Technical and condensed phrasing of the project.
◦ No clear statement of what is the purpose of this study.
Details of Research Proposal
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Order of Proposal: Goals or objectives of proposal
• Justification
• Introduction
Background
Rationale and hypothesis.
Specific Aims
Rationale
Hypothesis (optional)
Approach
Expected Results
Pitfalls or Alternative approaches.
•Methodology
•Time frame
and work schedule/Gantt chart
•Personnel needed / available
•Facilities needed / available
•Budget
Objectives
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
• This is a very important and pivotal section and everything else
in the study is centered around it
• The objective of the proposed study should be stated very
clearly
• The objective stated should be specific, achievable and measurable
• Too many objectives to be avoided
• Even just one clearly stated relevant objective for a study would
be good enough
• If there is more than one objective the objectives can be presented in the appropriate order of importance
Details of Research Proposal
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Objectives of Research ◦ Good
This is usually one paragraph telling the reviewer everything they need to know about this research proposal.
This provides the opportunity to gain the reviewers interest and excitement about this proposal.
It should contain the background on why this research is important, hypothesis, and objectives.
Should state the innovation of this proposal.
Finally it should in a clear statement demonstrate why this project is significant and what impact it will have.
Details of Research Proposal
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Reject
No goal or objective statement at the start of the proposal.
Too technical and condensed will make it hard to read and understand.
Too short will not give the reviewer the needed information to understand the proposal.
Too long will make the reviewer skip to the background and makes the reviewer search for what is important.
Objectives of Research
Introduction
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
The problem proposed to be studied is introduced in
this section
It should help the reader to acquaint with the topic
Introduction should be short about one or two pages
The problem should be stated in such a way that it’s
importance and relevance is realized by any one who
reads it
Details of Research Proposal
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Background:
Good
Give the reviewer the needed information to understand the objectives and approaches in this proposal.
Structure the background to go from broad information such as cancer kills Canadians to specific information such as my protein is increased in solid tumors.
Build up the background towards answering a specific question that is unknown.
Details of Research Proposal
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Background:
Good
There should be section within the background to discuss preliminary data.
Connect preliminary data to background.
If limited preliminary data, spend time on the innovation such as using unique resources at CCMB for this proposal.
Details of Research Proposal
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Background
Reject
Do not expand background to unnecessary information that does not support the hypothesis.
Background should not exceed one third to one half of proposal.
No preliminary data generally negatively impacts the proposal in two ways.
No indication that the proposal will feasible.
No indication the applicant can do the proposed work.
Details of Research Proposal
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Rationale and Hypothesis.
Good
Clearly state the hypothesis or number of hypotheses that will be addressed in the proposal.
Give a rationale why this hypothesis is important to investigate.
Reject
Avoid combining the two together. It could be confusing to the reviewer.
Too long of a hypothesis makes it hard to understand the aim of the research.
Details of Research Proposal
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Specific Aims
Good
Limit specific aims to 2-3.
Make sure controls are added to approaches taken.
Always give what your expected results will be.
Always give alternative approaches since pitfalls happen.
Address feasibility if you have not demonstrated that you can do the experiments proposed.
Details of Research Proposal
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Specific Aims:
Address innovation wherever possible.
Justify the use of specific reagents or animal models.
For example:
If you use a cell line why that cell line
If you use an animal model why that animal model.
Confirm results with multiple approaches.
Make aim 1 less risky compared to other aims.
Details of Research Proposal
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Specific Aims ◦ Reject
Many specific aims is bad. This is a two year proposal and if it is too ambitious, will negatively impact on reviewers.
Avoid to many specifics on experiments.
Structure aims so that aim 2 is not dependent on aim 1.
Do not avoid issues within the field of research
Using cell lines for genetic studies is not the same as primary cancer cells and might yield misleading information. Tell the review you understand the limitations and how to address it.
Details of Research Proposal
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Significance and Impact:
Good
Last chance to impress the reviewer on the importance of what you are proposing.
Give a sense of future directions for this research.
Why is this proposal innovative?
Impact on the field and/or on the disease being studied should be stated.
Reject
No significance statement.
Superficial such as this will cure cancer.
Research methodology
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Research methodology is a way to systematically
solve the research problem. It may be understood as a
science of studying how research is done scientifically:
◦ It is necessary for the researcher to know not only the research
methods/techniques but also the methodology.
◦ Researchers not only need to know how to develop certain
indices or tests and how to calculate the mean, the mode, the
median or the standard deviation or chi-square etc.
Research methodology
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Study design
Study population / Sampling specifications
Sample size needed
Instrumentation
Specific procedures
It is essential to discuss procedures clearly and completely with
considerable amount of details
Study design
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Definition: A study design is a specific plan or
protocol for conducting the study, which allows the
investigator to translate the conceptual hypothesis into
an operational one.
The study design should be clearly stated
The study design to be used should be appropriate for
achieving the objective of the study
It is important to describe which would be the study population
How study subjects would be selected, randomization process and other details should be given
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Description of process
Proposal should include the details of all process
to be adopted in the study
How exposures, outcome variables and other
variables are going to be measured should be described in detail
A brief description of how the data will be processed
and use of statistical package if any should be given
What statistical tests of significance would be used?
Time Frame & Work Schedule
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
The proposal should include the sequence of tasks to be performed, the anticipated length of time required for its completion and the personnel required
o It can be presented in tabular or graphic form (Gantt
chart)
o Flow charts and other diagrams are often useful for
highlighting the sequencing and interrelationship of
different activities in the study
Facilities
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
The proposal should also include the
important facilities required / available
for the study namely computers, laboratories,
special equipment etc
Personnel
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Proposal should include who are the primary investigators and co- investigators, their qualifications, research experience etc
The proposal may also include the Major
roles to be taken up by different investigators
Budget
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
The budget translates project activities
into monetary terms
It is a statement of how much money will
be required to accomplish the various tasks
Budget
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
Major items
Salary for staff
Travel
Purchase of equipment
Printing / Xeroxing
Consultancy charges
Institutional overheads
What do you understand by research proposal? Write down a short description of research proposal.
Write down different point of view of a good and bad objective.
What is specific aim in research? Write down some points for a good
specific aim.
Why research proposal should have Significance and Impact?
Write down the different parts of budget in a research proposal.
M A Islam, EEE, IIUC
You should remember and understand
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