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OVERVIEW
What is research?
Types of research
Research problem
Research design
Components of a research proposal

LEARNING OUTCOMES

Plan a research project

List the sections of a research proposal
Write a research proposal for the Project Work

WHAT IS RESEARCH?
A systematic process of investigation into a problem
Is original and not repetition of something already known
Expand knowledge and understanding of phenomenon
Attempts to answer why and how

TYPES OF RESEARCH
Qualitative
Quantitative

Describe how
things are
Explain why
things are the way
they are
Predict
phenomenon and
relationships

RESEARCH PROBLEM

The formulation of a problem is

far more often essential than its
solutions, which may be merely
a matter of mathematical or
experimental skill. To raise new
questions, new possibilities, to
regard old problems from a new
angle requires creative
imagination and marks real
advance in science.
-- A. Einstein and L. Infeld,
The Evolution of Physics, 1938

RESEARCH PROBLEM
A research problem refers to some difficulty that the
researcher experiences in the context of either a theoretical
or practical situation and to which he/she wants to obtain a
solution.

ORIGIN OF RESEARCH PROBLEM

Actual problem faced
Previous research
Theories

WRITING A RESEARCH PROBLEM

Express clearly to be able to undertake the research
As a testable research hypothesis
As an exploratory question

RESEARCH DESIGN

A blueprint that guides us to

undertake research on a specific
problem
Cover issues of which and why
of methods and techniques
Decision on sample size and
sampling procedure
Process of data collection
Analysis procedures and
statistical techniques to be used

METHODS, TECHNIQUES
AND TOOLS
Methods
Exploratory
Evaluative
Experimental
Elaborative

Techniques
Survey
Interviews
Observation
Content
analysis and
research
synthesis
Meta-analysis

Tools
Questionnaires
Scales
Interview
schedules
Observation
sheets
Tests
Checklists

SAMPLING AND SAMPLE SIZE

Why sampling?
Large samples
behave in normal
distribution
Representative
sample is important
to draw conclusions
about the
population
Determine the
sample size

RANDOM SAMPLING
It is not haphazard
Every subject in the population has a known probability/
chance of selection
Use of Random table
Systematic random sampling
Stratified random sampling

COMPONENTS OF A
TitleRESEARCH PROPOSAL
Introduction
Statement of the Problem
Procedures of the Study
Time and Cost Estimates
Appendices

TITLE OF THE PROJECT

Precise and accurate

Unambiguous
Avoid extremely long titles

Effect of Extended Contact Programme on

student achievement
Extended Contact Programme and Learning

INTRODUCTION
Orient the readers towards the topic
Explain the importance and relevance of the topic
Justifies the choice of the topic
Provides a concise overview of relevant literature to make the
proposal sound

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Sometimes part of introduction
Further clarifies the intent of the investigator
Presented as hypothesis or exploratory question or objectives
of the study

OBJECTIVE | HYPOTHESIS |
QUESTION
To measure the level of
achievement of the ECP
participants
There is no significant
difference between the
achievement of male and
female participants of ECP
How do ECP participants
perform in the test?

PROCEDURES OF THE STUDY

Decide on the method, techniques and

tools to use
Explain the rationale of each vis--vis
the statement of the problems
Describe the tool development process
or use of existing one
Describe how you will gather data for
the study
Indicate the population, sample size and
the sampling procedure
Explain the statistical methods to be
used with rationale

TIME AND COST ESTIMATES

Prepare a schedule of activities
Time management skill required
Cost of the project
Item-wise budgeting
Financial support required