By Prof. Ibeh CC, Dr Azuike EC Dr Mbanuzuru VA. Introduction Reasons for Research Proposal Stages of Research Proposal for Part 11 Proposal.

APPROACH TO PROPOSAL WRITING

ByProf. Ibeh CC,Dr Azuike EC

Dr Mbanuzuru VA

Introduction Reasons for Research Proposal Stages of Research Proposal for Part 11 Proposal for sourcing funds Conclusion

Outline:

Research is a quest for knowledge through diligent search, investigation or experimentation aimed at the discovery and interpretation of new knowledge.(Asuzu 2015)

Research is also defined as the systematic collection, and analysis of data for the purpose of acquiring knowledge about a particular subject. (Omokhodion 2015).

What is Research?

A document of intent to carry out a study and the anticipated steps to take.

A document of the process involved in executing a study.

A written presentation of an intended research specifying the problem, purpose, scope/objectives, methodology, references (and budget).

A ‘road map’ for conducting a research. (Oguniyi 2015).

What is Research Proposal?

To help the researcher define contents and to plan the execution of the research project.

To inform the examination body and the potential collaborators about the topic and the expected quality of the research.

For fund sourcing

For advancement of knowledge.

As a monitoring tool for assessing compliance and progress.

Reasons for Research Proposal

Conceptualization

Planning

Preparation for data collection

Data collection and project administration

Data processing

Interpretation of findings

Report

Stages of Research

Background and Rationale

• Background – what is known about the topic or historical antecedents.

• Rationale – what is the reasoning behind the study, the scientific basis.

Problem Statement:nature, scope and size of the problem, causes and contributory factors.

Outline of Proposal (Part 2)

Justification: Why the subject deserves attention, what difference the

study will make, what gap in knowledge it will fill? What possible negative repercussion is there of not solving this problem? What benefit does the research promise?

Research Questions: What questions will be laid to rest by this study?

Research Hypothesis: What outcomes or endpoints are expected from the

scientific deductions and existing knowledge.

Objectives (General and Specific): S- specific M-measurable A-achievable R-realistic T-time bound

Literature Review: -historical high lights -definitions and classifications -current knowledge in subheadings arranged in a

systematic fashion. -areas of convergence and divergence -gaps in knowledge -conceptual frame work

Methodology: - description of the study site - study design - study population - subject selection (Inclusion and Exclusion criteria, selection of

controls) - sample size - sampling technique - research tools/study instruments - procedures/data collection methods - data analysis- variables, outcome measures, statistical analysis - ethical considerations - limitations

Activities under procedures/data collection methods: -training of interviewers -informed consent (& incentives) -pretesting of questionnaire -administration of questionnaire -interviews and FGDs -clinical examination -sample collection and storage -Lab tests/sample analysis -checklists -Pilot/test run

References

Appendices: -study instruments -work plan -ethical approval -site maps -reference standards

1. Title page: this contains the project title, names and addresses of the researcher(s)/institution applying for the grant.

2. Table of contents: this is optional and may not be necessary when the proposal is of average length.

3. Project summary: this is usually one page long. It contains the xtics of the project: problem focus, specific target groups, main purpose/objectives, basic methods/implementation strategy, project team, major outputs envisaged, and an overview of resource implications.

Proposal for sourcing funds (outline)

4. Organizational profile: this is required for institutional applicants, such as NGOs. For individual applicants, abridged version of the curriculum vitae of the researcher will be required.

5. Introduction/Background/Statement of the problem: here, the justification and rationale for the project is presented. It should be linked with the funding agency’s viewpoint.

6. Literature review:

7. Project description:This involves detailed description of the project including where it will be implemented, the objective and methods/strategies to be used.

a. Project Location: where will the project be implemented. Describe the project location (+ map, if possible in the appendix)

b. Goals and Objectives:Goals or Aims states what the researcher wish to achieve. It defines the overall impact the project expects to have on the target population.Goal is broader than objectives and achievable beyond the project period.

The objectives are activity-related statements leading to the achievement of the aims. (SMART).

Objectives are required to: Focus the study (narrowing it down to essentials). Avoid collection of unrelated data. Organise the study in clearly defined parts or phrases. Facilitate the development of the research

methodology(study plan-how to achieve the objective). Orient collection, analysis, interpretation and utilization of

data.

Goals are sometimes referred to as general objectives. (Araoye, 2004).

The general objectives (goals) are broken down into smaller, logically connected parts referred to as specific objectives.

c. Activity/Project design: here, the methods of study and or social intervention that needed to be applied will be described. The subjects will be described, their selection, methods of data collection and data analysis; ethical issues and actions taken should be discussed.

d. Monitoring and Evaluation: this will show if and how the project is working. Monitoring and process evaluation measure how well a program is working. Outcome/impact evaluation measures program’s results and effects. Specific indicators are stated in the study design to aid monitoring and evaluation.

e. Dissemination and Follow-up activities: this provides the information on how the results will be disseminated eg conferences, publication in journals, monograph, newspapers, etc. Follow-up activities could include advocacy, building support for the course, etc.

8. Expected Outcome:the expected outcome of the research is identified. Also, how the result will be utilized ie application of the study will be outlined.

9. Work plan: the timing of the activities should be indicated. This could be presented as a Gantt chart (a simple horizontal bar chart showing the start and end point of specific programme/project activities or task).

10. Budget: this is guided by the work plan. Funding agencies require a detailed budget and justification. Both direct and indirect costs are factored in. The budget could be Time-line method or Expense method.

11. Logical Framework Analysis (LFA): LFA is a way of analyzing the internal logical structure of a project. The purpose is the same as specific objectives. Many funding agencies require it. The logic is that by using inputs, you are able to carry out the activities that produce outputs that achieve a purpose that contributes to the goal. It can occur in form of matrix.

12. References: this should be done in the selected style.

13. Appendices: any relevant information, such as maps and research instruments are included here.

Good project starts with good proposal.

A proposal needs to be specifically written with the intent of persuading the reader (a reviewer/assessor at the training institution or a decision maker in the funding agency) to support or approve the project. (Araoye, 2004)

Conclusion:

THANK YOU

1) Prof A. Oguniyi: Developing a proposal and setting research objectives. 2015 WACP Research Methodology Course.

2) Prof M.C Asuzu: Research methods and sample size. 2015 WACP Research Methodology Course.

3) Prof F. Omokhodion: Outline of WACP part 2 proposal, dissertation format, guidelines, processing time line, requirements and assessment. 2015 WACP Research Methodology Course.

4) Prof M.O Araoye: Research Methodolgy with Statistics for Health and Social Sciences. Ilorin: Nathadex Publishers; 2004.

5) Prof C.Onwasigwe: Medical Research Project: A Practical Guide. Enugu: El Demak Publishers; 2004.

References: