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RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL

WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROJECT PROPOSAL

 A research project proposal is

a systematic compilation of
idea that how one is going to
perform his research on a
proposed problem.

 It also states that what would be the objectives

and with what methodology one is going to
perform his research.

 In a research proposal one also explains that how

the proposed study will be useful to the scientific
community and the community in general.

 Besides, a research proposal also comprises the

detailed project planning, scheduling of various
research activities and the detailed project
budgeting.

PURPOSE OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

 A good research proposal is one which fulfills

the following purpose;

1. Convinces the other people.

2. Demonstrates expertise.
3. Demonstrates Competency.
4. Serve as a contract.
5. Serve as a planning tool.

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PURPOSE OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

COVINCE OTHER PEOPLE

 The main function of any

research proposal is to
convince other researchers,
research funding agencies,
educational institutions and
supervisors/ advisors that
your research is worth
spending resources on.

 You convince people of the value of your work

by showing them how your research will make
a difference to the world.
or
 by identifying the short comings and gaps in
the existing theory which your research will
help in resolving.

DEMONSTRATE EXPERTISE

 Research proposal helps to

demonstrate expertise in a
particular area of study.

 With your research proposal

you convince people that you
have enough under-standing
of the research topic to be
able of the research properly.

 In a proposal this is done by intelligently

summarizing, comparing and integrating all the
theory and existing research related to the
proposed research project.

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PURPOSE OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

DEMONSTRATES COMPETENCY

 Research proposal also

helps to demonstrate comp-
etency in a particular area of
study.

 It is also important that your

research proposal conv-
inces the reader that you
have all the necessary skills
to carry out the proposed
study.

 This can be done by describing an appropriate

and feasible research methodology.

TO SERVE AS A CONTRACT

 Research often involves contracts between

different individuals or groups or people.

 The proposal states clearly what each

individual party is expected to do, how
resources will be used and when the research
will be completed.

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PURPOSE OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

TO SERVE AS A PLANNING TOOL

 Many research projects

fail because they are not
properly planned.

 When there is a clear plan of action from the

beginning the research is much more likely to
proceed smoothly and will be successful.

THE MAIN PURPOSE OF THE

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
IS TO

CONVINCE OTHER PEOPLE,

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT THE

WRITING STYLE
MUST BE

SIMPLE, CLEAR
AND

PROFESSIONAL.

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CONTENT OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

 What goes into a research proposal is the most

crucial and important aspect of any research
proposal.

 As a fact there is no single format for a research

proposal.

 This is because every research project is different.

 Different disciplines, funding organization and

academic institutions all have different formats and
requirements.

 However, there are several key components which

must be included in every research proposal.

The key component for any research proposal are;

1. A description of a research problem.
2. An argument as to why that problem is
important.

3. A review of literature relevant to the research

problem.

4. A description of the proposed research

methodology.

5. Priority and scheduling of various research

activities.

6. Detailed budget description for the proposed

research study.

7. An explanation on the limitation of the study.

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CONTENT OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

DESCRIPTION OF A RESEARCH PROBLEM

 Before the proposal can make a sense to a

reader, he or she must understand clearly what
the proposed research study will be about.

 It is important to explain clearly in the initial

paragraphs of the proposal what does the
research proposal actually means.

Say for example if the proposed research problem is

“Impact of hydropower dams on vegetation growth –
with special reference to „A‟ and „B‟ dam projects”.

In the introductory paragraph this problem has to be

defined as;

“ By comparing the satellite imagery for pre dam

construction and post dam construction of downstream
area of „A‟ and „B‟ dam sites it has been noticed that there
is considerable increase in the growth of vegetation.

In the present research study it is intended to study why

and how this increase in vegetation growth has occurred.
What are the various factors which has influenced this
increase in vegetation growth”.

 It is also important to mention that by what

means this research problem has been
identified.

 Is it your observation or it has a practical

concern, mention clearly while describing the
research problem.

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CONTENT OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

WHY THE PROPOSED RESEARCH IS IMPORTANT

 Importance or the usefulness of the proposed

study is the key paragraph in any research
proposal.

 Only through this paragraph a researcher attempt

to convince the other researchers or the funding
institutions that in what way this research is
unique.

Some key points that can be mentioned in this

paragraph are;

i) How the results and findings of the proposed

study will be used for the betterment of
concerned scientific concepts or how they may
be utilized for the welfare of the society.

ii) The results and findings may overcome the

short comings or gaps in the existing
theoretical concepts and analytical techniques.

iii) If you are expecting other contributions from

your proposed research study describe them
in detail.

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CONTENT OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

LITERATURE REVIEW

 The literature review presents one of the

greatest challenges of the research proposal to
experienced and inexperienced researchers.

 The literature review provides a conceptual

framework for the reader so that the research
problem and methodology of the proposed
research is better understood.

 The literature review demonstrates to the

expert reader that the researcher is aware of
the breadth and diversity of literature that
relates to the research problem.

 It is important that a researcher provides an

integrated overview of the proposed problem.

 For this the researcher has to show the

awareness of the most important and relevant
theories, studies and methodologies.

 The researcher has to show that how these are

related to the proposed study and how these
works are similar to and/or different from the
proposed research.

 The literature review is not simply a list or

summary of books and articles that the
researcher has read.

 Instead, it has to be combined and synthesized

in an integrated description of the field of
study.

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CONTENT OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

 A good literature review shows how the text

compiled from various books and articles
relate to the broad topic.

 It also demonstrates to the expert reader that a

researcher have surveyed much of the
appropriate literature.

 A good literature review also demonstrates

that for the proposed study different
approaches will be used and in combination
will produce an original study.

 Literature review is a systematic study and

needs a thorough study of the relevant study
material.

The literature review has to be structured as per the

following points;

i) Identification of relevant books, journals,

reports related to your proposed research
topic.

ii) What results the previous researchers have

produced.

iii) What theoretical concepts or analytical

techniques relate to the proposed study.
Describe these in detail.

iv) What methodologies were used by the

previous researchers.

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CONTENT OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

v) If you are going to adopt one of these

methodology for the proposed research
explain it in detail.

vi) What is the most recent finding related to the

proposed study.

vii) What gaps and contradictions exists among

these findings.

viii) What new research problem do these findings

suggest.

 It is important to structure your literature

review for the better understanding and
the continuity of concepts.

 Do not start writing your literature review

until you have developed a broad and
deep understanding of the proposed
research topic.

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CONTENT OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

METHODOLOGY

 The methodology section of the research

proposal is the second component which often
causes great difficulty.

 As such there is no standard methodology to

perform research in sciences.

 For each discipline and specific research

problem these methodologies will differ.

 The methodology section is designed to explain

the expert readers precisely that how you intend
to find the solution for the proposed objectives of
the research study.

 In this section a researcher has to put enough

details so that the reader will understand
precisely that how actually you are going to
perform the research.

 Though the methodologies to be followed for the

proposed research in geology are study specific
but, broadly it comprises three basic
components;

i) Data collection
a) Primary data collection from field.
b) Secondary data collection

ii) Data analysis and synthesis

iii) Interpretation and results

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CONTENT OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

PRIORITY AND SCHEDULING OF

VARIOUS RESEARCH ACTIVITIES

 Another important component

of a research proposal is to
describe the priority and
scheduling of the various
activities for the proposed
research.

 For any research it is important that each

research activity is performed as per its priority.

 In the research proposal one must describe

briefly the priority of various research activities
to be taken up under the proposed research
study.

 For any research project it is important to

schedule all the activities in such a way that the
research project is completed within the allotted
time.

 It is important to present an activity schedule

chart in the research proposal.

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CONTENT OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

DETAILED PROJECT BUDGET

 A research proposal must

include a detailed project
budget.

 Amounts budgeted must

be realistic and up to date.

 It is good to check before submitting that what

kind of costs are acceptable to the funding
institution.

 For a good project budget it is essential to give

full breakup of each individual activity to be
covered in a proposed research study.

 The detailed budget must be presented in a

tabular format in which the various activities may
be kept in rows and the budget component in
columns.

 For each activity sub total must be presented.

 Amount to be mentioned should be in round

figures.

 Always keep 10 – 15% extra budget for unfor-

eseen expenses.

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CONTENT OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

LIMITATION OF THE STUDY

 Every research study has to undergo some form of
limitations.

 These limitations may be on resources or it may be

theoretical.

 Therefore, it is always good to indicate such

limitations in the research proposal.

 Never mention limitations on time and finance in a

research proposal.

ETHICS IN PROPOSAL WRITING

 Writing and style makes a research proposal
impressive and convincing.

 Writing is a difficult skill to master and it comes

through practice and dedication.

 Some important tips to help for better writing are

mentioned below;

i) Always structure the work in advance.

ii) Know what you want to say before trying to write.
iii) Every sentence must contain one idea only.
iv) There must be a continuity in sentences. A well
written text is a “chain of ideas”.

v) While writing keep your reader‟s need in mind.

This means provide a “verbal map” of your
document so that your reader know what to
expect. Also plase “verbal signposts” in your text
to explain what is coming next.

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ETHICS IN PROPOSAL WRITING

 A researcher must concentrate on the style of

proposal presentation.

 Some important tips on style of presentation are;

i) Proposal must be professional looking.

ii) It must be interesting and informative.
iii) Writing style must be simple with small
sentences and simple vocabulary.

iv) A content page must be included in a proposal.

v) Use clear headings and sub-headings.
vi) While writing proposal be concise and precise.
vii) Use simple language.
viii) Construct clear arguments.
ix) There should not be any spelling and
grammatical mistakes in the proposal.

x) Reference your work fully using an acceptable

format.

xi) Do not use such words for which you are not
sure for their meaning.

xii) Do not use difficult words to impress your

readers.

xiii) Do not use overly simplistic language.

xiv) Do not make unnecessary repetitions in the
text.

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SUBMITTING THE PROPOSAL

 Fatigue and impatience can

ruin the research proposal.

 Therefore, it is expected that

a researcher must spent a
little more time making sure
that the proposal is perfect
before submitting it.

 Also make sure that before submission the

following steps are completed;

i) Proof read the proposal carefully.

ii) Ask a friend or relative to read your proposal.
iii) Ask an experienced researcher or your
supervisor/advisor to read the proposal.

iv) Ensure that your proposal meet all the

requirements laid down for the research
proposal by the funding organization/
institution to which the proposal has to be
submitted.

v) Submit the proposal with a covering letter to

the contact person and address, before the last
date of submission fixed by the funding
organization/ institution.

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