Components of Research Proposal

Components of Research
Proposal
Research Proposal
• A research proposal is a document that provides a detailed

description of the intended program.
• It is like an outline of the entire research process that gives a reader a
summary of the information discussed in a project.
• The objective in writing a proposal is to describe what you will do,
why it should be done, how you will do it and what you expect will
result.
Basic Components
1. Title
2. Abstract
3. Introduction
4. Review of Literature
5. Aims
6. Objectives
7. Questions and/ or hypotheses
8. Plan for analysis of results
9. Bibliographic References
10. Gantt chart/Timetable
11. Budget 12. Annexes
TITLE
• It should be concise, descriptive informative and catchy.

• Titles should clearly indicate the independent and dependent
variables.
• The title provides the "key words" for the classification and indexing
of the project.
• It is important to specify what population or universe will be
investigated
• Good and bad Titles
• Preoperative Anxiety (too brief)
• The effects of a counselling program by nurses on preoperative
anxiety in children undergoing tonsillectomy. (concise but gives
sufficient information)
• Abstract
• It is a brief summary of approximately 300 words.
• It should summarize all the central elements.
• It should summarize all the central elements of the protocol, for
example the rationale, objectives, methods, populations, time frame,
and expected outcomes.
• Introduction
• • The introduction provides the readers with the background
information.
• It should have;
• Topic area
• Research question
• Significance to knowledge. How to prepare a Research Proposal.
• Review of Literature
• In this section what is already known about the topic is written
including the lacunae.
• You do not need to report on every published study in the area of
your research topic.
• Choose those studies which are most relevant and most important.
• Reviews of the literature are not summaries, they are arguments
(that there is a gap that needs filling; that you have sound reasons for
believing your hypotheses are likely to be true; that your methods have
been well thought through in relation to your research goals)
• Review of Literature • A Literature Review should;
• 1. convince the reader that the research area is significant /
important / interesting
• 2. convince the reader that we shouldn’t be (completely) satisfied
with the existing literature on the topic
• 3. convince the reader that your research will fill some important or
interesting gap or address some important limitation or deficiency
• 4. explain and justify your research hypotheses / ideas
• 5. convince the reader that your research methods are well thought
through student surveys.
• Aim • The aim is about what you hope to do, your overall intention in the project.
• It’s what you want to know.
• • It’s what you want to know. • An aim is therefore generally broad.
Objectives • The objectives are the specific steps you will take to achieve your aim.
• The Aim is the WHAT of the research, and the objective is the HOW. • Research
objectives are the goals to be achieved by conducting the research.
Objectives should be: • Logical and coherent • Feasible • Realistic, considering local
conditions • Defined in operational terms that can be measured • Phrased to clearly
meet the purpose of the study (relevant)
• How should objectives be stated? • Objectives should be stated using “action verbs”
that are specific enough to be measured: specific enough to be measured: e.g. To
determine …, To compare…, To verify…, To calculate…, To describe…, etc. • Do not use
vague non-action verbs such as: To appreciate … To understand… To believe
• General and Specific Objectives
• The general objective of the research is what is to be accomplished
by the research project
• The general objectives relate to the specific research questions. the
investigator wants to answer through the proposed study and may be
presented as primary and secondary objectives.
EXAMPLE:
• Title: "Humanitarian Assistance for Populations Affected by Floods and
Malnutrition in the Atlantic Coast."
General objective: To evaluate changes in the food, nutritional and sanitation
conditions in populations highly affected by floods in the North area of the
Caribbean Coast.
Specific objectives:
1. To assess the food and nutritional conditions of the participating families in the
project and the impact of environmental elements on the deterioration, of conditions.
2. To identify the benefits obtained from the sowing and harvest of crops
3. To judge and evaluate the existing conditions in the communities and families
with respect to hygiene promotion, supply and use of water filters.
4. To identify strategic lines that help to define future interventions, both in terms
of emergencies or linked to processes of long-term development.
• Questions and/or hypotheses
• A hypothesis can be defined as a tentative prediction or explanation
of the relationship between two or more variables.
• Unambiguous prediction of expected outcomes.
Methodology
• The methodology explains the procedures that will be used to achieve the
objectives. It covers;
1.Approach to the question 6. Controls or comparison groups Sreeraj S R
2.Research design
3.Research subjects
4.Inclusion or exclusion criteria
5.Sampling procedure
6-Controls or comparison groups
7- Data needs
8. Analytic techniques
9. Plan for interpreting results
10. Ethical issues
• Gantt chart/Timetable
• A Gantt chart is an overview of tasks/proposed activities and a time
frame for the same.
• You put weeks, days or months at one side, and the tasks at the
other.
• You draw fat lines to indicate the period in which the task will be
performed and to give a timeline for your research study.
Budget
• The budget translates project activities into monetary terms
• A proposal budget is with item wise/activity wise breakdown and
justification for the same.
• Indicate how will the study be financed.
• Bibliographic References
• • References should be written in Vancouver style.
• Citing References:
• • Number references consecutively throughout the body of the text in the
order in which they are first mentioned.
• • Identify references in text, tables and legends by numerals in
parenthesis e.g. (1), (2,3) or (3-6).
• Some journals require references to be indicated in superscript which
makes typing more difficult.
• DO NOT include references in your abstract.
Annexes
• Include the appropriate appendixes in the proposal. For example:
1. Interview protocols,
2. sample of informed consent forms,
3. cover letters sent to appropriate stakeholders,
3. cover letters sent to appropriate stakeholders,
4. official letters for permission to conduct research.
5. Original questions
• if the instrument is copyrighted then permission in writing to reproduce the
instrument from the copyright holder or proof of purchase of the instrument must be
submitted.
Avoid Plagiarism
• Plagiarism is presenting someone else’s ideas or words as though
they were your own. Basic Concepts of Research Proposal and Steps of
Research Proposal Development should be new.

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What are the basic components of a research proposal?

What should a literature review accomplish?

Components of Research

• A research proposal is a document that provides a detailed

• It should be concise, descriptive informative and catchy.

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