lec5 research proposal writing
TRANSCRIPT
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