ASSI STANT PROFESSOR DEPARTMENT OF ACCOUNTI NG & I NFO. SYS. UNI VERSI TY OF DHAKA How to Write a Research Proposal Preamble No single format for research proposal; Varies due to different disciplines, donor organizations and academic institutions; A standard format would be worthy to discuss.
8/14/2014 2 What is a research proposal? A research proposal aims to introduce your reader or supervisor to the proposed purpose and direction of a research project you are planning with the purpose of persuading them that the research will be worthwhile. The process is important as it can help you determine your focus, clarify what is involved in your project and plan its development. 8/14/2014 3 Key Components 8/14/2014 4 Title Research problem/Problem Statement Objective(s) Justification/Significance Literature Review Research Methodology A description of how the research findings will be used and/or disseminated. Title/Topic 8/14/2014 5 Formulates a problem that is worthy of research The topic provides the pivot or focus It includes concepts with their linkages
8/14/2014 6 The topic should be: stated clearly in one or two sentences framed as a research question or hypothesis framed as a problem or question in need of an answer
Steps to Choose a Topic 8/14/2014 7 Identify a problem Read further on the problem Clearly define the problem Write out the problem statement Outline your objectives From here you can now decide on the topic
For Example.. A Proposal On The Relationship Between University Education and Employee Productivity in the Banking Industry 8/14/2014 8 Research Problem/ Problem Statement 8/14/2014 9 The formulation of a problem might be more difficult than its solution. Albert Einstein
8/14/2014 10 This is the origin of the research This needs to be clearly defined The structure involves two things Preamble Questions You need to paint a picture Then the questions will be natural consequence
8/14/2014 11 The preamble provides grounds to raise the questions Example Competition in banking industry The role of employees in organisation Concerns about employee productivity Ways to increase productivity e.g. education, training
Identify the issues that agitate your mind for which you want to find solutions to State the issue in question form Major question The main issue in question form Specific questions Other issues within the main issue that are components of the main issue State these in question form 8/14/2014 12 Example Main/major question What is the relationship between university education and employee productivity in the banking industry in Bangladesh? Specific questions What is the trend of productivity in the banking industry What is the trend of university graduates employment in the banking industry
8/14/2014 13 A Quick Look!! 8/14/2014 14 Topic of interest Literature review Next logical question Literature search Research question Objective(s) This is what you have set to achieve The problem well stated helps to build your objectives These should be positive statement of the questions Major objective Specific objectives 8/14/2014 15 Justification/Rationale/Significance Think about how your research: may resolve theoretical questions in your area may develop better theoretical models in your area may influence public policy may change the way people do their jobs in a particular field, or may change the way people live 8/14/2014 16 Literature Review All research should be contextualized in terms of relevant scholarly or academic literature related to or around the problem or topic The literature may not refer to the problem exactly but may explore similar or related issues or other research that sheds light on the problem
8/14/2014 17 The purpose is to demonstrate that you are familiar with other bodies of research around your topic Many researchers argue their perspectives through the literature review The best researchers attempt to make their hypotheses evolve out of the literature search
8/14/2014 18 Where to Search For Literature Journal Articles Books Research Monographs Websites Newspapersand more
8/14/2014 19 How to Search For Literature Use your topic as your search term Formulate some more specific search terms Keep searching until youve found some papers 2530 academic papers 8/14/2014 20 In Each Paper.. What specific question is being asked? How does it address the question? How convincing are the results? What aspects of the research question remain unanswered? What is the next logical question?
8/14/2014 21 Fictional example Literature Review Smith and Brown (2001) reported SMS usage against telephone and face-to- face communication and separated their data by gender preferences. In contrast, Zhou et al (2003) showed that while many people readily accept the use of SMS as a dating communication tool, many people of the 25-40 age group, and women in particular, oppose it. Harries (2002) suggested that the opposition is related to the unromantic nature of SMS and Norris (2002) showed a belief that SMS is considered insufficient for the business of finding a mate for long term cohabitation and reproduction. Jones et al (2003) also reported SMS dating across age groups. Cruikshank and Johnson (2001) said that arranging dates by SMS was readily accepted by 83% of their female respondents and 87% of male respondents. Findings were corroborated by Stuart (2004) and Nicholson (2005) but with less detail. Henriks et al (2003) found that respondents in the 16-24 age group and those over 40 readily accepted SMS as a dating tool, while respondents in the 25-40 age group opposed it. Other studies (Findus et al (2003), Horace and Fawn (2002) and Halley et al (2003)) corroborate their findings, but few respondents made any mention of ending relationships by SMS, leading to our research question: Is it acceptable to end a relationship by SMS message? The research will attempt to differentiate responses by gender and age. 8/14/2014 22 Research Methodology A detailed description of the research methods you intend to develop or employ and a justification of why you have chosen them. You should describe Methodological Paradigm Positive vs Interpretive Hypotheses Research Design Sampling Data Collection Procedures Data Analysis Software Used or Not Possible Ethical Issues and Way of Encountering them Time Frame/Time Budget
8/14/2014 23 References/Bibliography References Only the cited one; Bibliography Whether cited or not; Styles include Harvard (http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/fms/MRSite/psd/ls/general/H arvard%20Referencing%20guide.pdf), Oxford Standard for Citation of Legal Authorities (OSCOLA) (http://www.law.ox.ac.uk/publications/oscola.php), Numeric (http://www.londonmet.ac.uk/services/sas/library- services/referencing/using-numeric.cfm )and APA (American Psychological Association) see for details http://www.apastyle.org. 8/14/2014 24 Appendix Copy of Application Form for Ethical Approval (if required); Copy of Draft Survey or Observation Schedule; Questionnaire 8/14/2014 25 Now You Are Ready For Writing Many people assume that any literate person can write a research proposalINCORRECT Some tips to help you in your writing include: Always structure your work in advance. Know what you want to say before trying to write it. Every sentence must contain one idea only. Each sentence must follow logically from the one before. A well written text is a "chain of ideas". While writing, keep your reader's needs in mind. 8/14/2014 26 DO: Produce a professional looking proposal Be interesting Be informative Write in a way that is easy to read Include a contents page Use clear headings and sub-headings Be concise and precise Use simple language wherever possible Construct clear arguments Check your spelling and grammar Reference your work fully using an acceptable format 8/14/2014 27 DON'T: Use words when you are not absolutely certain of their meaning Use difficult words to impress your reader Use overly simplistic language Repeat yourself Wander 8/14/2014 28 Submission Before submitting, make sure you have completed each of the following steps: 1. Proof-read your work carefully. 2. Ask a friend or relative to read your proposal. 3. Ask an experienced researcher or your supervisor to read your proposal.
8/14/2014 29 8/14/2014 30 THANK YOU ALL 8/14/2014 31