Research Methods: Section Three

A research proposal is a researcher’s plan of action, his/her mode of organizing and carrying out a study.

Submitted and approved.

• A research is to be organized, conducted, the rationale for carrying out study, the problem under investigation, a budget, time constraints
• and possible data sources.

Topic

Chapter 1

• 1.      
• Introduction

2.Background of Study

3.Problem Statement

4.Purpose of Study

5.Objectives of Study

6.Research Question

7.Scope of Study

8.Limitations

9.Significance

10.Definitions of key Terms

1.Detailed Literature Review

2.Statement of Hypothesis

1.Research Design

2.Target Population

3.Sample and Sampling Technique Procedure

4.Instruments Validity and Reliability

5.Research Procedure

6.Data Analysis

7.Ethical Considerations

1. Research Questionnaire

2.Time framework

3.Budget Framework

1.Practical Problems

2.Noticeable gaps

3.Desire for innovation

Concise methodology, schedule and a budget.

1.Basis to solicit funding

2.Basis for convincing research approval committee

3.Guide to the researcher

4.Establish feasibility of a project

5.Generating ideas

It is a basis for research funding. Funders use the quality of the proposal to decide whether to fund it or not.

The proposal should be quality, the problem relevant and should add to existing body of knowledge.

Serves as a guide for the research process/effort, it gives direction to the researcher and forces him to think through procedures and potential obstacle.

It helps the researcher to organize his effort, in terms of the amount of times and resources to commit to the project.

It helps refine a simple idea to a set of workable concepts within a theoretical/conceptual framework.

It should be limited in size (15 pages) yet detailed enough for the reviewer, but not too much to overwhelm a layman. It should be written clearly, simply, logically and coherent.

It consists of chapters 1, 2, 3, an appendix, a budget, schedule, reference and other relevant information.

Gives the known to prepare for the unknown. The conceptual and contextual must be developed from the background.

• Indicate the root of the problem, its reach,
• interrelationship among variables and their context.

Examines a topic on the basis of identified variables in a study

Examines the topic in a given setting or context. E.g political, social

It should be clearly defined or stated. It focuses on the dependent variable and what is wrong with it.

These are target/objectives that must be realized through the study, and then gauged at the end for success.

• The researcher must demarcate the study indicating focus areas in terms of variables, unit of analysis, geographical area and time
• frame. Variables must be clearly stated and chosen period indicated.

The researcher should make a sound argument, justifying the relevance, economic feasibility, viability, adding to the body of knowledge and the benefits of the study to immediate and distant societies.

Geographical location must be defined; sub-parish, county, town and district should be stated. Exact location should be stated with maps if possible.

A problem statement is a clear description of the issue(s), it includes a vision, issue statement, and method used to solve the problem.

Review of relevant literature, relevant quotation and quoting system.

Always correspond with the objectives. It can be substituted by a research question.

How a study is going to be organized and conducted. It is future tensed.

Specific research design pertinent to study, reflects objectives and problem.

Non-experimental, qualitative or quantitative.

A detailed description of the mode of measuring variable. A researcher must clearly explain how to measure each variable or how to answer each research question.

Of giving clear definitions to variables, converting, quantifying and indicating how they will be measured.

Determined/identified and clearly defined.

Definite populations

Indefinite populations

Type of study, and sound criteria should be justified.

Or not depending on the nature of the population or design.

Population size, time and cost constraints. The bigger the population is, the bigger the sample size.

1.Respondents knowledge/intelligence

2.Willingness to participate

3.Key Informant

4.Position in Org

5.Experience level

6.Opinion leaders

7.Involvement in key issues

Elicit proper facts from respondents

1.Interview

2.Questionnaire

3.Focus group discussion

4.Survey

5.Observation

6.Recording

7.Diary

8.Tests

9.Delphi technique

10.Brain-storming discussion

• Validity and reliability of tools should be tested, to ensure valid and reliable data. It can be done through pre-tests and expert
• review.

Anticipated data sources should be stated.

1.Primary

2.Secondary

Mainly from the field, live events

Collected from literature review, records on subject of study.

Dependent, independent and extraneous variables are identified and stated in this section.

Independent variables not part of the study. *must be identified*

They are controlled to counter their effect on results.

1.Randomising

2.Eliminating

3.Statistical adjustments

4.Holding constant

5.Balancing

Is the using multiple baselines

Reducing bias and limiting errors.

1.Quality

2.Validity

3.Reliability

1.Multiple data sources *more than one person to collect, analyse and interpret findings*

2.Multiple perspectives to draw meaning from

3.Multiple method of data collection *interview, questionnaire*

This is a detailed procedure/method of collecting and processing data.

This is defining the unit of analysis as a way of delimitation of a study

Stating of anticipated limitation or constraints and how they will be tackled.

1.Books

2.Magazines

3.Journals

4.Other sources

Of all activities to be undertaken is drawn and included.

Be included.

A new page

Is for an introduction.

Centered.

This is a cross examination by a panel of experts of the research

1.Topic

2.Problem

3.Literature review

4.Methodology

5.Findings

6.Credibility

7.Logic

8. Originality

Research approval

1.Whether purpose of research is clear

• 2.Literature reviewed (for citations,
• benchmarking)

3.Details of how study is conducted (Methodology)

• 4.Whether hypothesis is well stated and properly derived from relevant literature review and conceptual and contextual
• background

5.Whether rationale of the study is sound

6.Whether research design is appropriate, explicit and justified.