Module 2: Managing a Research

Project
 Introduction to Results – based
Management (RBM)
 A scientific inquiry entails a considerable
amount of money to cover maintenance and
operating expenses, equipment outlay and
personnel services.
 The huge amount of money being invested in
research and development may not suffice to
accommodate a number of research proposals
applying for grants.
 This puts a restraint on grant awarding,
characterized by a highly competitive and
stringent application process.
 Also, the process entails effective
implementation to ensure that research funds
are used for their intended purpose.
 A research proposal intended for funding by
local and international organizations has been
molded in such a way that it would be results
or outcome-based.
 Such results-based management (RBM)
framework is focused on the outcome and
impact of the proposed study.
 The RBM framework is a unique strategy that
revolves around the concepts of planning,
doing or implementing, monitoring, assessing,
adjusting, and learning.
In the RBM context, consider the following guide
1. What research question are you trying to address?
2. What is the foreseeable impact of the research
project?
3. What are the possible outcomes generated at the
completion of the research study?
4. What are the expected output and deliverables?
5. How long will the research undertaking take?
6. What objectives should you meet to ensure
that the research question will be answered?
7. What necessary inputs and specific activities
must be undertaken to successfully meet these
objectives?
8. What is the projected duration for each
individual activity?
9. Who will be responsible for data collection?
10. When will the data be collected?
Logical Framework of RBM
 Each component level in the RBM framework is
interconnected and is linked to one another.
 Furthermore, the progression expected from a
program or an inquiry, should follow an upward
chain of movements, that is, initial contributions,
which are found at the bottom of the chain, are
important and necessary to meet the goal of the
research project.
 Thus, any missing element will break the chain.
While conducting an inquiry, the RBM
framework offers the following advantages:
 Focused managing brought about by careful
and deliberate planning
 Precise assessment leading to prompt
identification and resolution of problems
 Documented support to beneficiaries
 Well- spent funds
How to Prepare an RBM-based Research
Framework
 A research problem needs to be addressed in
the conduct of an inquiry.
 In posing a research problem, the potential
impact must be thoroughly considered. In
addition, a research problem must address a
specific target audience.
 Its impact may be explained as the
consequential benefits derived over a long
period of time and originating from the
attainment of the objectives.
 Once this is clearly set, plans will be
effectively designed to include identification of
expected outcomes and objectives,
contributory to the resolution of the research
problem.
 Its impact may be explained as the
consequential benefits derived over a long
period of time and originating from the
attainment of the objectives.
 Once this is clearly set, plans will be
effectively designed to include identification of
expected outcomes and objectives,
contributory to the resolution of the research
problem.
 Objectives constitute the program's overall
desired accomplishments. Good objectives
must also follow the SMART criteria.
 Outcomes may be defined as observable
changes that are relevant to the fulfillment of
the objectives.
 An outcome could have multiple outputs.
 However, the outcomes are beyond the
control of the actual inquiry process.
 An outcome statement contains information
on the following:
 performance to be demonstrated
 specific learning acquired from the
performance
 standard for an acceptable performance
 Performance indicators are identified to gauge
whether or not you have achieved the study's
outcomes and objectives.
 A good performance indicator is tied to a
specific outcome, is cost-effective, and is
determined by concerned stakeholders in
writing a performance indicator, it should be
clearly and explicitly stated
 Relating to the improved outcome
statement, possible performance
indicators are
 number of research proposals or
 assessment reports
 Outputs are produced resulting from
performing planned activities.
 Outputs are in tangible and measurable form,
can be a product or service rendered, and these
facilitate the advancement of the inquiry
leading to a realization of intended outcomes
as these are within the control of the inquiry
process.
 On the other hand, outcomes are generally
what transpires when you render service or
come up with a product.
 Again, referring to the example
previously given, possible outputs for
such outcome include:
 a well-drafted research proposal; and
 conducted learning assessments.
Strategic resources provide the
manpower and organizational
materials essential to the
execution of the planned activities
 The activities account for the courses
of action to generate data or data
collection methods, as well as access
to various data sources.
 The RBM framework also calls for a
data collection plan that provides
details concerning people responsible
for data gathering and the timeframe
or schedule within which to complete
the data collection.
 It
is in this regard that you also gather
baseline data or prevailing data prior
to the start of the program or research
project. Such use of data permits a
comparison of the situation before
and after the research project or
inquiry.
 Sources of data which you can access
are diverse: reports, journals, articles,
newspaper articles, observation from
the field surveys and observation
from experiments, interviewees and
others can be used.
 As with other monitoring and
evaluating tools, assumptions are also
drawn. Assumptions do not
significantly affect the outcome but
are necessary events or those most
likely happen while conducting the
inquiry.
Monitoring and Evaluation of
Research in RBM
 Control refers to the important aspect
in the design of the study aimed at
minimizing the effects of extraneous
independent variables.
 This streamlines the expectations of
the stakeholders as to the extent of
data that will be gathered and pooled,
as well as the timeliness in the
delivery of results, as the research
work progresses.
 Necessaryadjustments may easily be
administered at each stage because it
is known who is in control at each
level.
 Theextent of control is likewise
known to effect remedies or
improvements.
Progress Report
 Describes the ongoing status of the
program or research undertaking
 It is prepared on a regular basis
Evaluation
 The final important aspect of the
RBM framework
 In this stage, you are to make
assessments about the results of the
research, and then communicate these
results to stakeholders.