Friday, December 26, 2008

6. Writing or Reading a Proposal

Introduction

This post is about how to write (read) a proposal of what the research is going to do to help answer the question. This is a scientific proposal and, of course not the same for writing an essay, a journalistic report, newspaper article or business proposal which might be discussed later.

Getting a proposal right takes considerable thought and effort. The aim of a proposal is to convince the reader that the question is important, that the research will proved a useful answer, and that the (market) researcher is competent enough to conduct research or business (in the case of market research or a business proposal).

In fact, often this is the case even of a business or any proposal. It gives the recipient of the proposal some confidence in the authority and accountability of the person making the proposal or offer.

Anyway, perhaps this will encourage a simpler version in the form of posts to this blog...?!

Writing a Proposal

The process of getting words on paper to generate a smooth, logical flow of ideas in the readers mind is not easy.

The proposal should be clear so that the reader is gently but firmly lead along the pathway, or story, of research project. Introductory sentences / paragraphs should be present to foreshadow to the reader where they are being led. Use of summary sentences / paragraphs help recap the important points at the end of a section. Use of linking sentences / paragraphs gently leads the reader form one idea to the next. Should be concise. Longer is not better when shorter is just as clear and informative. Should also be informative. A research proposal should tell a reader a lot.

The introduction will tell the reader about important issues; the literature review will provide a summary to the reader of what is already known and what is not known as we as critique of previous research and their conclusions; the method will tell the reader precisely what the research intends to do; the expected results will tell the reader what the data to be collect are likely to show, the timetable will show the reader the researcher knows how to plan and time manage a project. If the reader hasn't been reminded of the knowledge in the area, (and the problems in that knowledge) and been shown how the project will improve that knowledge, the aim has not been achieved.

The proposal should be interesting by being clear, the language scientific and professional but have more life than bank statement. Diagrams and graphs not only provide a way of clarifying information, they also add to the interest of the report. Presentation must be good with use of fonts and page layouts to make reading easy. Different font formats help code different levels of headings. Use of headings help clarify the structure of the report.

Content of a Proposal

The following content structure is a guide only.

Preliminary pages

Title Page: with informative and concise project title, investigators' name and date

Table of Contents

Introduction

The introduction should include a statement of the problem identified, an indication of the significance of the topic, and a sentence of the main aim of the project

Literature Review

The literature review should include a summary and critique of the recent research/discussion and noteworthy older literature on the project topic. How the project fits in with the literature should be discussed and a detailed list of the objective of the project given

Method

The Method should describe precisely how the project will be performed. The design of the study, the hypothesis to be tested, the selection of subjects, the variables manipulated, controlled and measured, the instruments and materials used (their reliability and validity), the ethical issues involved (the costs and benefits) and the analysis of data must be described.

Expected Results

The Expected Results should give examples of the data you expect, using appropriate descriptive statistics, and examples of what the researcher expect any statistics to show. Use graphic representations of the data where appropriate (graphs, photographs etc.)

Summary

A brief summary of the proposal which highlights the research question, the method to be used, why the research is needed and how expected results will be of benefit

References

All references cited in a proposal should be noted according to the professional style during the paper at the appropriate location (end of the sentence by name/year or number?) and at the end of the paper (ie. name, year, title, journal, chapter & pages)

Appendix

Subject information forms/consent forms and
a copy of questionnaire, etc. if one is to be used.

Timetable for conduct of project ,to include: pilot testing of method, subject recruitment, testing, analysis, report writing. Timetable should state when each part of the project will start and finish and who will be responsible for each part.

Resource requiremnets: list of equipment , facilities etc required (and how long each is required) list of any costs involved (for example photocopying of questionnaires), list of time required for each part of project (in person days or hours)

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