How to Write a How to Write a Winning Winning

Research ProposalResearch Proposal

Prof. Dr. Benyamin KusumoputroProf. Dr. Benyamin Kusumoputro

Computational Intelligence Research Computational Intelligence Research Lab.Lab.

Faculty of Computer ScienceFaculty of Computer Science

University of IndonesiaUniversity of Indonesia

Principal Components of Principal Components of Research ProposalsResearch Proposals

Properly fit with sponsorship view pointsProperly fit with sponsorship view points– Represented by examiners (refer the Represented by examiners (refer the

winning proposals)winning proposals)

Research Problem

Problem Solver

Research Design

Weaknesses in Weaknesses in Research ProposalsResearch Proposals

Research ProblemResearch Problem– Unfocused Research Theme (difficult Unfocused Research Theme (difficult

to evaluate)to evaluate)– Problem Statement too complexProblem Statement too complex– Unimportant Methods (see reference) Unimportant Methods (see reference) – Limited relevance, benefitsLimited relevance, benefits

Not properly fit with sponsorshipNot properly fit with sponsorship– Represented by examiners (refer the Represented by examiners (refer the

winning proposals)winning proposals)

Weaknesses in Weaknesses in Research ProposalsResearch Proposals

Research DesignResearch Design– Unfocused Research Design (difficult Unfocused Research Design (difficult

to evaluate)to evaluate)– Inappropriate design, produce Inappropriate design, produce

impossible dataimpossible data– Inappropriate procedures for Inappropriate procedures for

problem problem – Lacking controlsLacking controls

Not properly fit with sponsorshipNot properly fit with sponsorship– Represented by examiners (refer Represented by examiners (refer

the winning proposalsthe winning proposals

Proposal Proposal CharacteristicsCharacteristics

Straightforward documentStraightforward document– No extraneous or irreverent materialNo extraneous or irreverent material– The first words are the most importantThe first words are the most important

Not a literary productionNot a literary production– Clear, sharp and preciseClear, sharp and precise– economy of words; no rambling economy of words; no rambling

sentencessentences

Clearly organizedClearly organized– Structurally outline your thinking Structurally outline your thinking

(heading etc)(heading etc)

Components of the Components of the Research ProposalResearch Proposal

Second PartSecond Part DeliverablesDeliverables ScheduleSchedule Facilities and Facilities and

Special Special ResourcesResources

ReferencesReferences Budget Budget

AppendixAppendix

First PartFirst Part Research Research

Problem Problem DescriptionDescription

Research Research ObjectivesObjectives

Literature ReviewLiterature Review Importance/Importance/

Benefits of the Benefits of the StudyStudy

Research DesignResearch Design

1. Problem Statement1. Problem Statement

What is the ‘Current Status of Problem’ What is the ‘Current Status of Problem’ – Current Problem, Current Methods, Current Analysis, Current Problem, Current Methods, Current Analysis, – Scope of your focus on ‘Current Status of Problem’ Scope of your focus on ‘Current Status of Problem’

(nationally, internationally)(nationally, internationally)

Why change the ‘current status’ and howWhy change the ‘current status’ and how– What the dilemma behind (current methods, analysis)What the dilemma behind (current methods, analysis)– Why we like to change (current methods, analysis)Why we like to change (current methods, analysis)

How we change the ‘Current Status’How we change the ‘Current Status’– Brief explanation, explain thoroughly in methodsBrief explanation, explain thoroughly in methods

Tricks on Writing Problem Tricks on Writing Problem StatementStatement

Reread and adjust your proposal to the Reread and adjust your proposal to the ‘need of the problem’ of the sponsor‘need of the problem’ of the sponsor

Convince the ‘sponsor’ to continue Convince the ‘sponsor’ to continue reading your proposalreading your proposal

Your method ‘self explanatory’ about Your method ‘self explanatory’ about ‘your ability’ to solve the problem‘your ability’ to solve the problem

Purpose of the Problem Purpose of the Problem StatementStatement

Clearly write your own ‘angle’ on the problemClearly write your own ‘angle’ on the problem Clearly state the reason behind your proposalClearly state the reason behind your proposal Specifies the condition(s) you want to changeSpecifies the condition(s) you want to change Supported by evidence (prior research by you)Supported by evidence (prior research by you) Show your prior research on the topic (results, Show your prior research on the topic (results,

publish paper)publish paper) Even if the problem is obvious, your reviewers Even if the problem is obvious, your reviewers

want to know how clearly you can state itwant to know how clearly you can state it

2. Research Objectives2. Research Objectives

How you like to change ‘current How you like to change ‘current status’status’– state your hypotheses clearlystate your hypotheses clearly– give the reviewer a concrete, give the reviewer a concrete,

achievable goalachievable goal Verify the consistency of the proposalVerify the consistency of the proposal

– checking to see that each objective checking to see that each objective is discussed in the research design, is discussed in the research design, data analysis and results sections data analysis and results sections

Tricks on Research Tricks on Research ObjectivesObjectives

Flows naturally from Problem Flows naturally from Problem Statement to Research ObjectivesStatement to Research Objectives

Focus, concise and logically explainedFocus, concise and logically explained Consistent with your ability in the real Consistent with your ability in the real

problem (track record, publish paper problem (track record, publish paper etc)etc)

Take a look at the winning proposal for Take a look at the winning proposal for each sponsorship… reflecting their each sponsorship… reflecting their ‘way of thinking’‘way of thinking’

Scope of the Sponsor about those Scope of the Sponsor about those ideas (your idea and ability must be ideas (your idea and ability must be properly match)properly match)

Purpose of the Research Purpose of the Research Objectives SectionObjectives Section

Specify the outcome of your project, Specify the outcome of your project, the end product(s)the end product(s)

Keep you objectivesKeep you objectives– Specific: indicate precisely what you Specific: indicate precisely what you

intend to change through your projectintend to change through your project– Measurable –what you accept as proof of Measurable –what you accept as proof of

project success project success – Logical – how each objective contributes Logical – how each objective contributes

to systematically to achieving your to systematically to achieving your overall goaloverall goal

Writing Tips for Objectives Writing Tips for Objectives SectionSection

Don’t confuse your objectives (ends) Don’t confuse your objectives (ends) with you methods (means).with you methods (means).

A good objective emphasizes what A good objective emphasizes what will be done, whereas a method will will be done, whereas a method will explain why or how it will be done.explain why or how it will be done.

Include goals (ultimate) and Include goals (ultimate) and objectives (immediate)objectives (immediate)

3. Literature Review3. Literature Review

Recent or historically significant research Recent or historically significant research studiesstudies

Always refer to the original sourceAlways refer to the original source Discuss how the literature applies, show the Discuss how the literature applies, show the

weaknesses in the design, discuss how you weaknesses in the design, discuss how you would avoid similar problemswould avoid similar problems

Where is your position on this issueWhere is your position on this issue How is your idea different/better?How is your idea different/better?

Write down what you already gain in the Write down what you already gain in the first session of this workshopfirst session of this workshop

4. Importance/Benefits 4. Importance/Benefits of the Studyof the Study

Importance of the doing the study Importance of the doing the study – Time and Place, FacilitiesTime and Place, Facilities

What are the potential impact onWhat are the potential impact on– Research communityResearch community– Applications communityApplications community

If you find this difficult to write, If you find this difficult to write, then most likely you have not then most likely you have not understood the problemunderstood the problem

5. Research Design5. Research Design What you are going to do in technical What you are going to do in technical

terms.terms.– May contain many subsectionsMay contain many subsections– Be specific about what research Be specific about what research

methodology you will use and whymethodology you will use and why– Provide details of your proposed solutions Provide details of your proposed solutions

to the problem and sub-problemsto the problem and sub-problems– Provide information for tasks such as Provide information for tasks such as

sample selection, data collection, sample selection, data collection, instrumentation, validation, procedures etcinstrumentation, validation, procedures etc

Purpose of the Research Purpose of the Research DesignDesign

Describes your project activities in detailDescribes your project activities in detail Indicates how your objective will be Indicates how your objective will be

accomplishedaccomplished Description should include the sequence, Description should include the sequence,

flow, and interrelationship of activitiesflow, and interrelationship of activities It should discuss the risks of your method, It should discuss the risks of your method,

and indicate why your success is probableand indicate why your success is probable Relate what is unique about your Relate what is unique about your

approach.approach.

Writing Tips for Research Writing Tips for Research DesignDesign

Begin with your objectivesBegin with your objectives Describe the precise steps you will Describe the precise steps you will

follow to carry out each objective, follow to carry out each objective, including what will be done, and who including what will be done, and who will do it.will do it.

Keep asking and answering the Keep asking and answering the “What’s next?” question.“What’s next?” question.

Once you have determined the Once you have determined the sequence of events, derive into a sequence of events, derive into a time-and-task chart time-and-task chart

5. References5. References

Up-to-dateUp-to-date Highly relevant with the problemHighly relevant with the problem Original sourceOriginal source

– First Order : Journal Publications and BooksFirst Order : Journal Publications and Books– Second Order : Proceeding PublicationsSecond Order : Proceeding Publications– Third Order : Technical ReportThird Order : Technical Report

Don’t include private communicationsDon’t include private communications Don’t cite support for common Don’t cite support for common

knowledge (weakening yourself)knowledge (weakening yourself)

Reference and CitationReference and Citation

Carefully relate your new work to Carefully relate your new work to existing work, show how your work existing work, show how your work builds on previous knowledge, and builds on previous knowledge, and how it differs from other relevant how it differs from other relevant results.results.

References – demonstrate the claims References – demonstrate the claims of new, knowledge of the research of new, knowledge of the research area, pointers to background readingarea, pointers to background reading

6. Schedule6. Schedule

Include the major phases of Include the major phases of the projectthe project

exploratory studies, data exploratory studies, data analysis, report generationanalysis, report generation

7. Deliverables7. Deliverables

Measurement instrumentsMeasurement instruments AlgorithmsAlgorithms Computer programs / Computer programs /

prototypesprototypes Comparative evaluationComparative evaluation Other technical reportsOther technical reports

8. Budget and Resources8. Budget and Resources

Access to special systems or Access to special systems or computerscomputers

specialized computer algorithmsspecialized computer algorithms Itemized BudgetItemized Budget Budget NarrativeBudget Narrative

This part is usually an appendix.This part is usually an appendix.

Suggested OrganizationSuggested Organization Title, Abstract, KeywordsTitle, Abstract, Keywords Introduction and OverviewIntroduction and Overview

– Background information; problem Background information; problem statementstatement

– Hypotheses and objectivesHypotheses and objectives– Assumptions and delimitationsAssumptions and delimitations– Importance and benefitsImportance and benefits

Related Work/Literature ReviewRelated Work/Literature Review Research Design and MethodologyResearch Design and Methodology Plan of Work and OutcomesPlan of Work and Outcomes Conclusions and Future WorkConclusions and Future Work ReferencesReferences Budget (appendix)Budget (appendix)

Strengthening Your Strengthening Your ProposalProposal

Review checklist for features of Review checklist for features of proposalproposal

Peer Review before submitPeer Review before submit

Guide to Writing the Guide to Writing the Research ProposalResearch Proposal

5 Key Questions to Answer 5 Key Questions to Answer in Your Problem Statementin Your Problem Statement

Does your problem statement:Does your problem statement:– Demonstrate a precise understanding of the Demonstrate a precise understanding of the

problem you are attempting to solve?problem you are attempting to solve?– Clearly convey the focus of your project early Clearly convey the focus of your project early

in the narrative?in the narrative?– Indicate the relationship of your project to a Indicate the relationship of your project to a

larger set of problems and justify why your larger set of problems and justify why your particular focus has been chosen? particular focus has been chosen?

– Demonstrate that your problem is feasible to Demonstrate that your problem is feasible to solve?solve?

– Make others what to read it further?Make others what to read it further?

5 Key Questions to Answer 5 Key Questions to Answer for Purpose and Objectivesfor Purpose and Objectives

Does this sectionDoes this section– Clearly describe your project’s objective, Clearly describe your project’s objective,

hypotheses and/or research question?hypotheses and/or research question?– Bury them in a morass of narrative?Bury them in a morass of narrative?– Demonstrate that your objectives are Demonstrate that your objectives are

important, significant and timely?important, significant and timely?– Include objectives that comprehensively Include objectives that comprehensively

describe the intended outcomes of the project?describe the intended outcomes of the project?– State objectives, hypothesis or questions in a State objectives, hypothesis or questions in a

way they can be evaluated or tested laterway they can be evaluated or tested later

Key Questions to Answer for Key Questions to Answer for Research Design/Data Research Design/Data

AnalysisAnalysis Does the research design and data analysis Does the research design and data analysis

sectionsection– Describe why analysis is needed in the project?Describe why analysis is needed in the project?– Clearly identify the purpose of your analysis?Clearly identify the purpose of your analysis?– Demonstrate that an appropriate analysis Demonstrate that an appropriate analysis

procedure is included for each project objectiveprocedure is included for each project objective– Provide a general organizational plan or model?Provide a general organizational plan or model?– Demonstrate what information will be needed to Demonstrate what information will be needed to

complete the analysis, the potential sources and complete the analysis, the potential sources and the instruments that will be used to collect it.the instruments that will be used to collect it.

Additional ConsiderationsAdditional Considerations

Scientific WritingScientific Writing

ProsaicProsaic Clear, accurate, but not dullClear, accurate, but not dull To the point –but not over To the point –but not over

condensingcondensing Ego less – you are writing for Ego less – you are writing for

the readers not yourselfthe readers not yourself

Scientific ToneScientific Tone

Objective and accurateObjective and accurate To inform not entertainTo inform not entertain Do not over qualify – modify every Do not over qualify – modify every

claim with caveats and cautionsclaim with caveats and cautions Use examples if they aid in Use examples if they aid in

clarificationclarification Use to contrast a new idea with Use to contrast a new idea with

some impossibly bad alternative, to some impossibly bad alternative, to put the new idea in a favorable put the new idea in a favorable lightlight

Scientific MotivationScientific Motivation

Brief summaries at the beginning Brief summaries at the beginning and end of each sectionand end of each section

The connection between one The connection between one paragraph and the next should be paragraph and the next should be obviousobvious

Make sure your reader has sufficient Make sure your reader has sufficient knowledge to understand what knowledge to understand what followsfollows

Citation StyleCitation Style

References should not be anonymousReferences should not be anonymous– Other work [6] -> Marsden [6] has …Other work [6] -> Marsden [6] has …

In self-references, readers should In self-references, readers should know that you are using yourself to know that you are using yourself to support your argument not support your argument not independent authoritiesindependent authorities

Avoid unnecessary discussion of Avoid unnecessary discussion of references, Several authors …., we references, Several authors …., we cite …cite …

Citation styleCitation style

Ordinal-number style, name-and-date Ordinal-number style, name-and-date style, superscripted ordinal numbers, style, superscripted ordinal numbers, and strings.and strings.

Use anyone, but use one!Use anyone, but use one! Entries orderedEntries ordered

– By appearance of citationBy appearance of citation– alphabeticallyalphabetically

AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Anyone who made a contributionAnyone who made a contribution Advice, proofreading, technical Advice, proofreading, technical

support, funding resourcessupport, funding resources Don’t list your family, unless they Don’t list your family, unless they

really contributed to the scientific really contributed to the scientific contentscontents

EthicsEthics

Don’t Don’t – Present opinions as factPresent opinions as fact– Distort truthsDistort truths– PlagiarizePlagiarize– Imply that previously published results are Imply that previously published results are

originaloriginal– Papers available on the internet – authors put Papers available on the internet – authors put

out an informal publication and becomes out an informal publication and becomes accepted as a formal. It is expected that the accepted as a formal. It is expected that the informal version will be removedinformal version will be removed