Research Proposal writingGeog 316Lecture 3 J.A Yaro

Purpose of a research proposalA research proposal describes the design, schedule and budget for conducting a research project.It is like a blue print of a building plan before the construction starts The main purpose of a research proposal is to show that:the problem you propose to investigate is significant enough to warrant the investigation, the method you plan to use is suitable and feasible, and the results are likely to prove fruitful and will make an original contribution. In short, what you are answering is 'will it work?

Elements of a research proposalA title A short introductionA problem statement/question Objectives of Study/Specific research questions Hypotheses statement Definition of terminology Indication of the importance/significance of the study Review of related literature A careful and detailed analysis of the proposed research procedures A reference listsA time scheduleA Budget

The TitleThe title is usually only formulated after the research problem and sub-problems have been stated in a more or less final formatSo use a general topic initiallyThe research project title should demarcate:The WHO or/and WHAT is researched The WHERE; the WHEN The HOW

Introduction The introduction is an abridged or shortened version of a problem statement or a backgroundProvide a general statement about the issue at stakeInclude a geographical analysis of the problem showing the situation in the area, Ghana and rest of the worldDemonstrate the major arguments/theories State the purpose of the study1 page

Problem Statement The problem is the aspect the researcher worries about, thinks about, and wants to find a solution for. It explains in short the aim of the researchSearch within your subject field for suitable problems What caused the need to do the research Are there questions about this problem to which answers have not been found up to the present? State in such a way that it would lead to analytical thinking with the aim of possibly concluding solutions to the stated problem. 2 pages

Your Problem should contain:Outline the general context of the problem area. Highlight key theories, concepts and ideas current in this area. What appear to be some of the underlying assumptions of this area? Why are these issues identified important? What needs to be solved?

The problem statement should answer the following questions: What is the problem? Who has it? (Demographics, attributes, characteristics of the population.) To what degree? Why? (This analysis provides the rationale for the methodologies you will propose.) For how long? How did you come to know about the problem? (You can address this through a personal experience, local trend data, or school experience.) What else has been tried? What happens if the problem is not resolved? What is it like to be an average person with this problem?

Objectives of StudyState the Main problem as the Aim of the research Then translate Sub-problems into measurable objectives of the study which are a Means to reach the set Aim/goalTranslate the research problem or and sub-problems into step-like aims that enable you provide answers to the problems. Concretise your research problems by expressing them in clear objectives that the study systematically resolves. Restate the main aim of the research and then break it down to sub-objectives which will form the activities in the research. Definition of the objectives is simply the operationalization of the answers

Specific research questionsResearch questions translate the objectives into questions and should include what, where, how and why questions.

Theoretical and Conceptual frameworksThis is the argumentation and demonstration that the "question" has a basis (grounds) for probable answer(s) and/or working hypotheses.The theoretical framework states the investigator's reasoning and arguments for the attempt to find the evidence that will offer an answer to the questionEstablishment of relationships between the independent variable and the response variables: What is known, and how has it been explained? Are the results conclusive? What are the bases of the question?How are the possible answers to the question explained and defended? What are the assumptions? What are the relationships? Between 1 and 2 pages

HypothesesWhat are the working hypotheses?Your hypothesis is an educated guess to your testable research question based on the research you have done so farIts often an If then because statementIf the temperature of a gas is increased then, the volume will increaseIf the length of the pendulum increases, then the period of swing will increase

Definition of terminology Indicate how you interpreted and are going to use terminology/conceptsThis is very important, because some concepts/terms are often used in different meanings Identify key terms and concepts and provide the definitions and interpretationsHalf a page or between 3 and 6 key terms

Literature Survey Show that you have obtained sound knowledge with regard to the research topicShow what theoretical and empirical knowledge you possess about the prospective researchThe aim of a literature study is to:Give all-round perspectives on the latest research findings regarding the topicIndicate the best method, scale of measurements and statistics that can be usedInterpret the research findings in a better way; andDetermine the relevancy of the prospective research2 pages

Literature Selecting Sources

Select literature that is relevant or closely related to the problem and purposeEmphasize the primary sourcesUse secondary sources selectivelyConcentrate on scholarly research articlesThe literature should have an introduction, body and conclusionThe introduction defines the framework of the review, the body that evaluates the literature and the conclusion summarizes the current state of knowledge on the problem

Research Procedures: Methods of Data CollectionThe methodology explains the procedures that will be used to achieve the objectives.Provide a detailed operational definition for the variables used, along with the type of variables and the ways to measure them. In addition, the methodology should consider the study design and the techniques and procedures used to achieve the proposed objectives. Research designMethods of data collectionData analysis

Budget and Time scheduleBudget: present a detailed break down of all expensesTime schedule: Show the major activities and when they will be completed. Must be within the given time for project

Time schedule & Budget Time scheduleA tentative timetable for executing the research projectSystematic and realistic conceptualisation from literature review to presenting report

BudgetList items you would spend money onExpenditure on books, articles, travel, accommodation or living, renting instruments interpreters, printing, etc

ReferencesList all cited literature in the proposal in alphabetical orderCheck for Departmental recommended stylesIf you are using a computer reference manager then choose author-date style

Justification/Importance/Significance of the Research Indicate and defend why it is necessary to undertake the researchWhat is the geographical content of the research?How does it contribute to theory, empirical knowledge and policyIndicate the benefits that will result from the research and to whom it will be beneficialMaximum of half a page or less

Significance of researchFrom the literature review, gap analysis can be conducted in order to see how the propose research would fill in the gap in the area of research.How does the proposed research relate to the existing knowledge in the area.Explicitly state the significance of your purpose or the rationale for your study. A significant research is one that:

Develops knowledge of an existing practiseDevelops theoryExpands the current knowledge or theory baseAdvances current research methodologyRelated to a current technological issueExploratory research on an unexamined issue

Make it simpleAvoid pretentious language, unnecessary jargon, and double speak by cutting down every unnecessary word.Read your work loudA sentence that is difficult to say will be difficult to read.Revise , revise, revise.Put an end to itThe faster you finish the proposal and submit it the less time you have wasted thinking about writing it.

Tips for successful proposal writing