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Week 6

Writing Research Proposal

Main reference:

http://www.biw.kuleuven.be/lbh/lsw/iupware/downloads/tipsforyoungresearchers/seminar1.pdf

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Content Why research?

Why should this be in a competitive context?

Why a research proposal?

Getting started

What makes a good proposal

Writing your proposal

How to structure your proposal?

Quick TIPS for writing a good proposal

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Why research?

Why is the development of research within universities a must?

– To maintain the quality of teaching programmes

– Provide the basis for undergraduate and graduate thesis research projects

– Universities should be more than degree delivering institutions

– Universities should be the basket for new knowledge developments

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Why should this be in a competitive

context? Do universities have the financial capacity to develop

and support research activities?

Where can the money be found to develop and support research?

How can the society get the highest return on investment?

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What is Research Proposal?

A written statement of the research design that includes

a statement explaining the purpose of the study

Detailed outline of procedures associated with a

particular methodology

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Why a research proposal?

Convince others the project you have designed is important, worth the effort. Tell others what would your research contribute to knowledge, practice and society at large.

Convince others that you have the ability to carry out the research design and report the findings

Generate funds to sustain the research units operation

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Getting started

Know your subject. The reviewers (in this case your

lecturer) will look for an up-to-date knowledge of the

research area

Know your funder. Be aware of the priorities and

interests of the funder you approach, and know that

funders are unlikely to support the same idea twice.

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Getting started

Consult colleagues. Don’t be afraid to discuss your

proposal with colleagues, or even with the grants officer

at the funding body. Early discussions can ensure that

your proposal is targeted appropriately.

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What makes a good proposal?

A well-prepared application should require minimal

effort on the part of the reviewer

Proposals must demonstrate high scientific quality

The requested funds must be in proportion to the

proposed project (cost-effectiveness)

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Writing your proposal

Allow plenty of time to prepare your proposal. A good

starting point is to write a one-page summary of the

whole project. This may take a while to get right, but

one completed it will serve as an invaluable tool for

writing your full proposal

Use your proposal to show the need and then fill the

gap

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Writing your proposal

Present your proposal in terms of the aims and

objectives of the funder and not just your own – make it

clear how you will be helping them to fund their

priorities

Consider the questions the funder will be asking: Why

fund you? Why fund this? Why not?...and make sure

that the proposal answers them!

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Writing your proposal

Be aware that you will have limited to none

opportunities to answer queries arising from a reading

of your proposal

Consult the funder’s website and read clearly the call for

research proposals as well as the criteria against which

your proposal will be judged

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Writing your proposal

Although it is the content that matters, good

presentation is often crucial to making your proposal

accessible to reviewers and keeping their interest

– Use diagrams and tables to add clarity;

– Bullet points and sections can break up text;

– Keep to page, word and font size restrictions; and

– Activate the spell checker while writing

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How to structure your proposal?

If the proposal is written for a funder, check guidelines

carefully – failing to meet the funder’s format and

specifications in one of the most common reasons for

applications being returned

There is no one standard format but normally consists

of: title, abstract, background, aims and objectives,

methodology, work programme, resources, outcomes

(outputs & dissemination), project management,

reviewers

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The Research Proposal

Key elements: – Purpose of the study

– Specific problem to be investigated.

– Scope of the study

– Relevance of the study

– Research design: • Sampling design

• Data collection methods

• Data analysis

– Time frame

– Budget

– Selected Bibliography

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Basic questions - Title

What is your research title?

The title of the research is the first impression the

reader gets

The title should be short and clear, and the reviewer

should be to understand from the title the intentions of

the research. A catchy title posing a question or

including an apparent contradiction or acronym may be

more easily remembered by a reviewer

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Basic questions – Abstract

What is the essence of your project?

The abstract should be a concise summary of the

WHOLE project. Ask a colleague to read your abstract.

A good abstract is capable to make the reader

understand the essence of the project from the abstract

alone. It is also the first impression a reviewer gets of

an applicant’s worth.

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Basic questions – Background

This section should be used to

put the work into context: what has been

done before, and how will the proposed work

add to it ? What is the innovative aspect in

the research project ? Build your case by

demonstrating your capability and familiarity

in the area.

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Basic questions – Problem

Definition/Research Aims and Objectives

The aims should describe what you intend to achieve by

doing this piece of work. Your objectives are the small

steps you need to reach in order to achieve your aim.

Aims and objectives should be realistic, consistent, and

link them to methods, timetable, and outcomes.

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Basic questions – Problem

Definition/Research Aims and Objectives

What is the purpose of the study?

How much is already known?

Is additional background information necessary?

What is to be measured? How?

Can the data be made available?

Should research be conducted?

Can a hypothesis be formulated?

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Basic questions – Basic Research

Design

What types of questions need to be answered?

Are descriptive or causal findings required?

What is the source of the data?

Can objective answers be obtained by asking people?

How quickly is the information needed?

How should survey questions be worded?

How should experimental manipulations be made?

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Basic questions – Selection of

Sample

Who or what is the source of the data?

Can the target population be identified?

Is a sample necessary?

How accurate must the sample be?

Is a probability sample necessary?

Is a national sample necessary?

How large a sample is necessary?

How will the sample be selected?

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Basic questions – Data Gathering

Who will gather the data?

How long will data gathering take?

How much supervision is needed?

What operational procedures need to be followed?

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Basic questions – Data Analysis

Will standardised editing and coding procedures be

used?

How will the data be categorised?

What statistical software will be used?

What is the nature of the data?

What questions need to be answered?

How many variables are to be investigated

simultaneously?

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Basic questions – Type of Report

Who will read the report?

Are managerial recommendations requested?

How many presentations are required?

What will be the format of the written report?

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Basic Questions – Overall Evaluation

How much will the study cost?

Is the time frame acceptable?

Is outside help needed?

Will this research design attain the stated research

objectives?

When should the research be scheduled to begin?

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Research Timeline

Work program: This section contains also a

diagrammatic work plan, called a Gantt

chart. The Gantt chart or diagrammatic work

plan should also be accompanied by a written

description.

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Example of Gantt Chart

(Research Timeline) Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Months

Activities Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Literature review & identifying

research gaps

Develop research

questions/objectives

Prepare & present 1st year report

Complete initial literature search

Finalise conceptualisation

2nd year report and Transfer panel

Pilot Study & refinement

Revise research methods in light

of pilot

Carry out research

Analyse findings

Write-up and conclusions

Conference / publication

Prepare thesis & submission

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Quick TIPS for writing a good proposal

Allow plenty of time;

Start by writing a summary of your proposed project;

Demonstrate an up-to-date knowledge of your field;

Present your proposal in terms of the aims and

objectives of the funder;

Avoid jargon – say what you mean in clear, simple

language;

Don’t be afraid to state the obvious;

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Quick TIPS for writing a good proposal

Anticipate questions that may arise, before they arise;

Ask a colleague to review your proposal; and

Be enthusiastic about your idea – if you don’t sound

interested, why should anyone else be?

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