PREPARIN

G A

RESEA

RCH

PROPOSAL

OVERVIEWWhat is research?Types of researchResearch problemResearch designComponents of a research proposal

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Plan a research projectList the sections of a research proposalWrite a research proposal for the Project Work

WHAT IS RESEARCH?A systematic process of investigation into a problemIs original and not repetition of something already knownExpand knowledge and understanding of phenomenonAttempts to answer ‘why’ and ‘how’

TYPES OF RESEARCHQualitativeQuantitative

•Describe – how things are

• Explain – why things are the way they are

• Predict – phenomenon and relationships

RESEARCH PROBLEM

The formulation of a problem is far more often essential than its solutions, which may be merely a matter of mathematical or experimental skill. To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle requires creative imagination and marks real advance in science.

-- A. Einstein and L. Infeld, The Evolution of Physics, 1938

RESEARCH PROBLEMA ‘research problem’ refers to some difficulty that the

researcher experiences in the context of either a theoretical or practical situation and to which he/she wants to obtain a solution.

ORIGIN OF RESEARCH PROBLEMActual problem facedPrevious researchTheories

WRITING A RESEARCH PROBLEMExpress clearly to be able to undertake the researchAs a testable research hypothesisAs an exploratory question

RESEARCH DESIGN

A blueprint that guides us to undertake research on a specific problem

Cover issues of ‘which’ and ‘why’ of methods and techniques

Decision on sample size and sampling procedure

Process of data collectionAnalysis procedures and

statistical techniques to be used

METHODS, TECHNIQUES AND TOOLS

Methods Techniques ToolsExploratoryEvaluativeExperimentalElaborative

SurveyInterviewsObservationContent analysis and research synthesisMeta-analysis

QuestionnairesScalesInterview schedulesObservation sheetsTestsChecklists

SAMPLING AND SAMPLE SIZE

Why sampling?Large samples

behave in normal distribution

Representative sample is important to draw conclusions about the population

Determine the sample size

RANDOM SAMPLINGIt is not haphazardEvery subject in the population has a known probability/

chance of selectionUse of Random tableSystematic random samplingStratified random sampling

COMPONENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSALTitle

IntroductionStatement of the ProblemProcedures of the StudyTime and Cost EstimatesAppendices

TITLE OF THE PROJECT

Precise and accurateUnambiguousAvoid extremely long titles

Extended Contact Programme and Learning

Effect of Extended Contact Programme on student achievement

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INTRODUCTIONOrient the readers towards the topicExplain the importance and relevance of the topicJustifies the choice of the topicProvides a concise overview of relevant literature to make the

proposal sound

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEMSometimes part of introductionFurther clarifies the intent of the investigatorPresented as hypothesis or exploratory question or objectives

of the study

OBJECTIVE | HYPOTHESIS | QUESTION

To measure the level of achievement of the ECP participants

There is no significant difference between the achievement of male and female participants of ECP

How do ECP participants perform in the test?

PROCEDURES OF THE STUDY

Decide on the method, techniques and tools to use

Explain the rationale of each vis-à-vis the statement of the problems

Describe the tool development process or use of existing one

Describe how you will gather data for the study

Indicate the population, sample size and the sampling procedure

Explain the statistical methods to be used with rationale

TIME AND COST ESTIMATESPrepare a schedule of activitiesTime management skill requiredCost of the projectItem-wise budgetingFinancial support required