lec5 research proposal writing

Research Proposal Writing

Research proposal

describes the whole process of research to be undertaken

a written plan of study

Characteristics of a Proposal

It is a straight-forward document It is NOT a literary production It is clearly organized

Conventional Parts of a Proposal Title page Purpose or hypothesis and specific objectives Discussion of significance of need

(justification) Review of work done or being done

(literature) Materials and Methods Discussion of possible outcomes

(conclusions) Time frame, budget, and biography of

investigators

TITLE

SPECIFIC and as brief as is possible consistent with giving information

As a general rule should not exceed 15 words

contain the subject matter of the study, the locale of the study, the population involved, and the period when the data were gathered or will be gathered.

Names of chemicals and organisms

Comment on this The Amazing Production of Polyclonal

and Monoclonal Antibodies Against Pseudomonas solanaceum, E.F. Smith for Diagnosis of Bacterial Wilt in Banana.

INTRODUCTION

The Introduction should contain the following subheadings:

Background of the Study Statement of the Problem Research Objectives Hypothesis Significance of the Study Scope and Limitations Definition of Key Terms (if applicable)

Background of the Study

the proponent cite the background of the study by quoting some statements from published materials relevant to the proposed study to give the reader a bird’s eye view of the study.

  the proponent can also state the rationale of

the study or justification for doing the study but not so extensive since there is another segment where the proponent can explain this called “Significance of the Study”.

Statement of the Problem

A general statement of the whole problem followed by specific questions or subproblems into which the general problem is broken up.

Research Objective(s)

statement of purpose for which the investigation is to be conducted. It differs from a research problem by being stated in a declarative form.

Hypothesis

only EXPERIMENTAL studies need expressly-written hypothesis

Significance of the Study:

Rationale, timeliness, and/or relevance of the study

possible solutions to existing problems or improvement of unsatisfactory conditions.

Who are to be benefited and how? Possible contribution to the fund of

knowledge.

Scope and Delimitations

a brief statement of the general purpose of the study

the subject matter and topics studied and discussed

the locale of the study, where the data were gathered or to be gathered

the population or universe from which the respondents were selected

the period of the study.

Definition of Terms

only the terms, words, or phrases which have special or unique meanings in the study are defined

terms should be defined operationally, i.e. how they are used in the study

definitions should be as brief, clear, and unequivocal as possible.

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

a summary of the writings of recognized authorities and of previous research provides evidence that the researcher is familiar with what is already known and what is still unknown and untested

MATERIALS AND METHODS

this section tells the reader exactly how the study will be conducted and to ensure that a competent worker could repeat your experiment and compare his/her results with your own.

this section must directly satisfy the criterion of replication.

Subjects

who will be the research participants (or what population of plants or animals), how many of them, their characteristics (number, species, strain number, sex, age, weight, etc.), and how will they be selected.

Apparatus, Materials, Measures, and Instruments

Any mention of commercially marketed equipment should be accompanied by the firm’s name and the model number, or in the case of a measuring instrument, a reference that will enable the reader to obtain the same scale

Design and Procedure

A 2 x 6 factorial experiment will be conducted using lambs fed ad libitum in individual pens indoors. This will comprise two basal diets (kale and Lucerne) and five levels of SMCO supplementation (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 D.M.). As SMCO supplementation depressed voluntary intake, the sixth supplementary treatment will be comprised of animals offered control kale and Lucerne diets (i.e. without any SMCO added) but with intake restricted to the same level as to be achieved by the groups supplemented with 1.6% SMCO. There were four replicate animals in each of the 12 treatment groups, giving 48 animals in the complete experiment.

Source: Mountier NS, Lucas RJ (1981)

Statistical Analyses

details about levels of statistical significance applied in hypothesis testing, or any special statistical tests or analyses done. This depends on the objectives as well as the chosen research design.

RESULTS

This section should show the skeleton or dummy tables or data sheets.

Provides clues as to how the data will be best presented, whether in tables or figures.

LITERATURE CITED

accurate preliminary list of the articles cited in your review of related literature.

Additional literature may be added later.

Follow a consistent style throughout Any error can destroy your credibility

and diminish the chance for acceptance of your proposal.

TIME FRAME

allow yourself enough time but don’t be wasteful

know exactly how much time is given to you by the grantor or adviser