Friday, January 8, 2010

THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL


 

Purpose of the Research Proposal

  • To present the question to be researched and its importance
  • To discuss the research efforts of others who have worked on related questions
  • To suggest the data necessary for solving the question

The Research Sponsor

All research has a sponsor in one form or another:

  • In a corporate setting, management sponsors research
  • In an academic environment, the student is responsible to the class instructor

What are the Benefits of the Proposal to a Researcher?

  • Allows the researcher to plan and review the project's steps
  • Serves as a guide throughout the investigation
  • Forces time and budget estimates

Types of Research Proposals

  • Internal
  • External

Proposal Complexity

3 levels of complexity:

  • The exploratory study is used for the most simple proposals
  • The small-scale study is more complex and common in business
  • The large-scale professional study is the most complex, costing millions of dollars

How to Structure the Research Proposal?

  • Create proposal modules
  • Put together various modules to tailor your proposal to the intended audience

Modules in a Research Proposal

  • Executive Summary 1 Qualifications of Researcher
  • Problem Statement 2 Budget
  • Research Objectives 3 Schedule
  • Literature Review 4 Facilities and Special Resources
  • Importance of the Study 5 Project Management
  • Research Design 6 Bibliography
  • Data Analysis 7 Appendices
  • Nature and Form of Results

Evaluating the Research Proposal

  • Proposal must be neatly written in appropriate writing style
  • Major topics should be easily found and logically organized
  • Proposal must meet specific guidelines set by the sponsor
  • Technical writing style must be clearly understood and explained

What to include in the Appendices?

  • A glossary of concepts, constructs, and definitions
  • Samples of the measurement instrument
  • Other materials that reinforce the body of the proposal


 


 

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