UNIT IV The Research Proposal Prof. Noel K. Torreta In industry, a proposal is a written response to a request to have a work performed.

The requesting company sends out requests for proposals to a list of companies qualified to perform the type of work needed. This module does not tell you everything you know about writing proposals for big businesses. Instead, this module focuses on a practical writing project in which you write a proposal for a major research paper or report you need to do to complete your academic program. Objectives: After studying this lesson, you should be able to: 1. differentiate a research proposal from a research report; 2. recognize the different parts of a research proposal; 3. observe some general guidelines in preparing the different parts of a research proposal; and 4. write a research proposal. What is a research proposal? A research proposal is a written offer to solve a problem in a particular way under a specified plan or management for a certain sum of money. It is a formal plan of solution to a problem. What is a research report? A research report is a written account or record of facts (procedures, findings) about and, at times, recommendations on a subject designed to meet a specific need. Here are some guidelines in preparing the different sections of a research proposal: I. Introduction A. Function The purpose of this section is to supply sufficient background information to allow the reader to understand and evaluate the results of the present study without needing to refer to previous publication on the topic. This presents an understandable view of the research problem. B. Content This section contains the following: Research problem Subject of the studygeneral area to which the research problem belongs Backgroundgeneral information concerning the research problem; usually has something to do with an observed problem; information to put the problem in its proper perspective (principles, theories, processes, concepts relevant to the study)

General purposewhat the research paper hopes to accomplish/accomplished as a justification for conducting the study Scopeextent to which the problem will be/was worked on Importance/significancehow the research results will be used; values that may be obtained from the research; contributions (practical or otherwise) that the research results may have C. Treatment The basic principles of developing an expository composition are applied Use of expository techniques such as definition, comparison and contrast, description, and explanation, etc. Use of appropriate orders of presentation such as: logical, chronological, topical, cause to effect. Use of appropriate tense and voices. Explicit presentation of the problem of the proposed study/report. Example: This proposed study will explore/explored the prospect of controlling Erwinia carotova var. chrysanthemi, the casual organism of the bacterial stalk rot of corn, using antibiotic Streptomyces spp. D. Suggested Rules 1. It should present first, with all possible clarity, the nature and scope of the problem investigated. 2. It should review the pertinent literature to orient the reader. 3. It should state the method of the investigation. If deemed necessary, the reasons for the choice of a particular method should be stated. 4. It should state the principal results of the investigation. 5. It should state the principal conclusion(s) suggested by the results. II. Materials and Methods A. Function The purpose of this section is to present the materials and the steps to be followed/ that were followed in conducting the research; shows the soundness, appropriateness of the materials and methods to meet the research objectives. B. Content Research method/s, designs, treatment/s, technique/s, number of replications Materialsexperimental animals, plants, solutions, chemicals, etc. Instruments and equipmenttest tubes, beakers, etc. Step-by-step procedure Statistical analysis

Population, sample size, sampling techniques Operational definition of terms Respondents Instrumentsquestionnaire, interview guide, interview schedule Data to be gathered/ that were gathered Sources of information Exclusive to the RP: detailed schedule of activities Exclusive to the RR: problems encountered and modifications, if any, made in the original plan C. Treatment May be presented in a numbered list form (often used in the RP); in paragraph form (often used in the RR); or combination For the RR, presentation uses indicative mood, passive voice, past tense Smaller, subordinate processes need not be described The length of the estrous cycle during pre-treatment and treatment periods will be observed following vaginal smear techniques of Long and Evans (1922). Should be replicable III. Results and Discussion This section corresponds to the analysis and interpretation of steps of the research process. A. Functions Results Presents organized data o Shows some generalizations concerning data o Gives emphasis to the highest and lowest data Discussion Links findings to show their relation to one another Provides explanations for the different expected or unexpected findings B. Content Findings and explanations At times, part/s or the M and M Relationships among data (trends/ patterns; quantitative information; causes; effects) C. Treatment May be presented together in one section or as two different sections Often makes use of tabular and graphic presentation Statements of analysis and interpretation go with the data presented 3

Focus on the use of may be due to or seem to in presenting interpretations Use of expository techniques IV. Summary and Conclusion A. Functions Summary Presents highlights of the research Conclusion Presents the answer/s to the objective/s Shows which hypothesis/es is/are accepted or rejected B. Content Highlights and conclusions C. Treatment Usually presented as one section Use of past and present tenses V. Implications A. Functions Relates research results to what is currently known in the research area Recommends solutions to identified problems based on the research findings Recommends possible areas for future research endeavors B. Content Discussion of research findings Recommendations C. Treatment Use of expository techniques Use of past and present tenses Recommendations may just be listed or discussed IV. Title A. Function Identifies research being proposed or reported B. Content

Research problem C. Treatment Neither too long nor too short Neither too general nor too specific o Gibeberellic acid and rice o Effects of gibeberellic acid on rice o Effects of gibberellic acid on character A, character B, character C, character D, and character E of rice o Effects of gibberelic acid on some agronomic characters of rice A two-part title may be used instead of a long title o Instead of: The modification and evaluation of the Thailand-designated manually operated peanut shellers o Use: Thailand designed manually operated peanut shellers: their modification and evaluation Meaningless and overworked phrases should be avoided o A proposal on o A report on o An investigation of o An analysis of o A study of o A discussion of Vagueness should be avoided o From: a method for measuring porosity coefficients o To: measurements of porosity coefficients by the shallow-bore method o From: system for improving computer reliability o To: preventive maintenance: an aid to computer reliability Must contain no word, concept, or idea not covered in the text Research method may be reflected in the title o The Ideal Puto Seco Factory: a case study o A survey of jobs held by UPLB BS math graduates o The effect of long storage on the germination of K. bangkal seeds o Isolation and identification of the antibiotic producing bacillus from the soil VII. Budgetary Requirements A. Function Presents a comprehensive, clear, easily understood estimates of the costs of the research B. Content Financial requirements of the research Personal

Salaries of full-time staff (research assistants, laboratory aides, technicians, interviewers, typists, etc.) Honoraria/ stipends and/or allowances of part-time staff (project leader, coordinator, senior researcher, graduate students, etc.) Operating and maintenance expenses Supplies and materialskind and quantity Equipment/instrumentskind and quantity Travelmode, tentative places to be visited, number and kinds (observational conference, inspection, interview, arrangement) of trips, purpose and number of people; approximate dates Sundrymiscellaneous, undetermined expenses Capital outlayhuge expenditure for items which are more or less permanent Contingencyallotment for unexpected expenses C. Treatment Outline form Columnar entries for total and subtotals Clear at one glance how much each item costs

References: Alcantara, RD. and Espina, FP. 1995. Technical Writing for Filipino Students. Quezon City: Katha Publishing co., Inc. Bautista, OK., Bondad, ND. 1997. Technical Writing for Beginners (guide to writing thesis dissertation, research report, and journal article). UPLB, College, Laguna. Day, R. 1995. How to Write a Scientific Paper. New York: Cambridge University Press. Librero, F. 1996. How to Write a Thesis Proposal, Some Practical Guidelines. College, Laguna: College of Agriculture, Publications Program. Maslog, CC., Colet-Villadolid, A. 1992. Science and Science Writing. Philippine Press, Inc. Mills, JH., Walter, JA. 1990. Technical Writing. Quezon City: JMC Press, Inc. Nem Sings, RP. And Calixihan, JO. 1994. Fundamentals of Technical Writing. Metro Manila: National Bookstore Inc. Samson, DC. 1993. Editing Technical Writing. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Some Notes on the Research Proposal and the Report (English 10 Handout)