RESEARCH PROPOSAL and REPORT PREPARATION

LUISITO I. TABADA, Ph.D. Associate Professor IV

Definition
"thesis - from a Greek word meaning "position" - refers to an intellectual proposition.

"Dissertation" - from Latin dissertti, meaning "discourse."

In some countries/universities, the word thesis is used as part of a Bachelors or Masters course, while dissertation is normally applied to a Doctorate.

Language Used

Today mainstream international scientific journals are effectively only published in the English language. This means that your manuscript must be written in CLEAR ENGLISH.

Research Proposal
an organized written presentation of a proposed activity/ies aimed at achieving a defined goal and objectives

Means by which research proposals may be generated

solicitation from funding agencies

managements initiative proponents initiative
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Types of Research Proposals

Research an inquiry or investigation directed at acquiring new or additional knowledge/information about a certain topic. Development a systematic work, drawing on existing knowledge gained from research and/or practical experience directed towards producing - new materials, product or device, - installing new processes, systems and services - improving substantially those already produced or installed for the benefit & welfare of particular target beneficiaries. may include pilot-testing projects innovative work that aims to confirm and demonstrate the feasibility of using a technology, modality or approach, gauging end-users reaction to introduction of improved technologies and identifying potential problems related to 5 wider dissemination

Forms of R&D Proposals

Study - the basic unit in the investigation of a
researchable problem with predetermined objectives, and conducted in a specific time frame.

Project - a group of interrelated research studies

in the same field or discipline designed to meet certain established goals within a specific time frame. Two or more studies may make up a project.

Program - a group of interrelated research

projects requiring an interdisciplinary or multidisciplinary approach to meet established goals within a specific time frame.
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Rationale in preparing a research proposal

To enable the proponent to thoroughly analyze and understand the research problem and determine the feasibility of the proposed activity. To guide the researchers during project implementation

To win the appreciation & support of funding institutions

Shaping a research proposal

Need to establish two key questions: What is the broad problem to be investigated? What are the specific initial activities to undertake and outcomes to pursue? Choosing a topic and advisor Students and advisors form close working relations Student is typically responsible for most of the effort but the intellectual input is shared
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Shaping a research proposal

Is the research at right kind of technical level? Make use of your strength

Scope
Dont be too ambitious entering research with hope of achieving something dramatic significance Identify easily achieved outcome then move on to more challenging goals
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Typical Parts of a Research Proposal

Program/Project Title Introduction Problem Statement Objectives Significance of the Study Review of literature Conceptual Framework Methodology Work Program Estimated budget Literature cited Bio-data of the proponents
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Research Title Importance:

Introduces the research to the reader Identifies the research components Reflect the main purpose and gives the reader the idea on what the researcher proposes to do The goal in making the title is to describe the coverage of the research and delineates its scope

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Research Title (continued)

Features of a good title: Concise and informative, have specific rather than general terms, and accurately describe the content Short, easy to remember, and can easily be indexed and retrieved Has few words that adequately describes the contents of the paper Clearly embody the focus of the proposal and is supported by the stated objectives and expected outputs
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Research Title (continued)

Tips on coming up with a good research title

List the most important factors to be studied (e.g.,

performance, directed-acyclic graph, buffered switch, architecture), as well as methodology/treatments to be used Categorize the words that can be grouped (e.g. bipartite matching, traveling salesman, quick sort and binary search can be grouped as algorithms) Compose the words to form a clear, eye-catching title Review for grammar and improve some of the words without changing its meaning/message

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Research Title (continued) Guidelines in making the Title

Do not include too much information in the title Avoid using unnecessary words (effects, evaluation, study, experiment, trials, observations, results, test, factors, analysis, etc.) Title can be expressed in terms of scope of the results
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Titles should: Describe contents clearly and precisely, so that readers can decide whether to read the report Provide key words for indexing

Titles should NOT: Include wasted words such as "studies on," "an investigation of" Use abbreviations and jargon Use "cute" language

Good Titles
The Relationship of Luteinizing Hormone to Obesity in the Zucker Rat

Poor Titles
An Investigation of Hormone Secretion and Weight in Rats

Fat Rats: Are Their Hormones Different?

Parts of a Research Proposal

Introduction

Use the first paragraphs to describe the context The opening sentence should clearly indicate the topic
Example:

Underutilization of main memory impairs the performance of operating system

Operating systems are traditionally designed to use the least possible amount of main memory, but such design 16 impairs their performance

Parts of a Research Proposal

Introduction (continuation) Underutilization of main memory impairs the performance of operating sentence Operating systems are traditionally designed to use the least possible amount of main memory, but such design impairs their performance

The second version is better for the ff reasons: Clear states the context which can mean that OS dont use much memory positive
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Parts of a Research Proposal

Introduction (continuation) Take care to distinguish description of existing knowledge from the description of papers contribution

Example:
Many user interfaces are confusing and poorly arranged. Interfaces are superior if developed according to rigorous principle. Many user interfaces are confusing and poorly arranged. We demonstrate that interfaces are superior if 18 developed according to rigorous principles.

Parts of a Research Proposal

Introduction: four-element organization 1. A general statement introducing the broad research area of the particular topic being investigated. 2. An explanation of the specific problem (difficulty, obstacle, challenge) to be solved. 3. A brief review of existing or standard solutions to this problem and their limitations. 4. An outline of the proposed new solution.

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Questions to address (in INTRO) How to address them What is the problem? Describe the problem investigated. Summarize relevant research to provide context, key terms, and concepts so your reader can understand the experiment. Review relevant research to provide rationale. (What conflict or unanswered question, untested population, untried method in existing research does your experiment address? What findings of others are you challenging or extending?) Briefly describe your experiment: hypothesis(es), research question(s); general experimental design or method; justification of method if

Why is it important?

What solution (or step toward a solution) do you propose?

Parts of a Research Proposal Problem Statement

Definition:

A problem is a set of conditions needing discussion, a solution, and information (conventional sense) Implies the possibility of empirical investigation, that is, of data collection and analysis (technical)

IT IS NOT:

How to do something A vague or too broad a proposition A value question But by asking these types of questions a researchable problem may emerge
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Parts of a Research Proposal Problem Statement

Usual Format:

The purpose of this [type of study] study is to understand [what] of [who or what] involving [what or who] from [when] to [purpose].

Example

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Problem Statement: Example

the type & purpose of study who or what limits of when (time period) major constructs (identified as observable variables) theoretical framework (this supports how the construct is defined and defines the lens used to analyze & interpret the data)

A Problem Statement by Tiffanie Davis 2000 The purpose of this project is to create four different WebQuests which employ constructive active learning pedagogy, teach higher order thinking skills, and that introduce feminist issues to 6th 8th grade art students. I will pilot the WebQuests over a period of 3 months and document student written responses, my observations of their process, and student WebQuest products in order to evaluate student learning and interest in the feminist technological art curriculum

Parts of a Research Proposal

Objectives state the specific purposes to address the problem areas of the project should be clear as to what the proposal intends to achieve must be attainable within the timeframe and resources required. Formulating the Objectives

Statements of the goals of the study Set the limit by which the problem will be studied Should be attainable under reasonable conditions Simple, specific, narrow enough to permit definite answers

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Parts of a Research Proposal

Research Objectives (continued)

SMART Guide
SPECIFIC MEASURABLE ATTAINABLE RELEVANT TIMEBOUND
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Parts of a Research Proposal

Research Objectives (continued)
State what you expect to accomplish The words survey, examine, quantify, and investigate tell what the researcher intends to do The words evaluate, compare, characterize, determine, or recommend tell what the researcher will do with the data to come up with conclusions and recommendations

Have a general objective, if there are many studies all leading to a common goal Objectives like To solve the social problems of the Philippines or To attain self sufficiency in rice are too presumptuous and should be narrowed down to attainable objectives under reasonable conditions.
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REASONS FOR READING A SCIENTIFIC PAPER

to understand the work that has been presented in the study.

to place it in context and possibly to build on its results by carrying out more research.

Parts of a Research Proposal

Review of Literature An organized and synthesized presentation of previous works - answers the question what has been done relative to the problem at hand? Shows the state of knowledge about a subject matter -indicates the finding on which the proposal is building on Ensures that there will be no duplication of work, and all the researchable areas will be covered Indicate related researches/activities which have been conducted for the last 5-10 years.
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Parts of a Research Proposal

Review of Literature (continued) The state of the art of current technology/information from which the project proposal will take off should likewise be discussed. The results of the prior art search conducted during the capsule stage of the proposal should be included in this section (include any related technology which is protected by any of the intellectual property rights scheme e.g. patent, trademark, copyright, etc). Which Literature to Review? - Books and reviews but use them with caution - data may not be original - Technical journal - Internet
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Parts of a Research Proposal

Review of Literature (continued)
Organizing the Review Make an outline of the topics to be presented Classify the pertinent abstract of the reviewed literature into topics; interrelate or group similar findings; Compare or contrast findings where appropriate Use the review of literature to clarify, augment, support or contradict the idea Present one idea per paragraph Do not include a literature not relevant to the problem

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Parts of a Research Proposal

Review of Literature (continued)
Organizing the Review - Provide smooth transitions by using such words as on the other hand, nevertheless, in addition, in contrast, etc. - Avoid so many reviewed articles on the same subject - Limit and avoid complementary papers by the same author - Cite results but not tabulated data - State research findings in your own words - Citing word for word requires enclosing them in quotation marks - Acknowledge sources of sentences or sections lifted from text or articles, and other vividly striking expressions

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Parts of a Research Proposal

Methodology this consist of the following:

Conceptual or Analytical Framework Research design/Experimental layout Sample size & sampling procedure/# of replications List of data to be collected & method of collection Methods of data analysis

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Parts of a Research Proposal

Methodology The methodology should be geared towards providing answers to the research objectives The measurable outputs that the project will produce and their set of indicators and expected values should be included The methodology should also show the appropriate, sound treatments, experimental layout, and appropriate statistical analysis There should be a discussion on how the data required based on the set of indicators will be obtained, by whom, what sources, how frequent the data collection and how the collected data will be processed and reported. 33

Methodology
Tips on developing a conceptual framework: Generally used in social science R&D; equivalent to research design in the other sciences Show how the problem is viewed and how the proposed interventions will lead to the solutions of the problem under study; guides the researcher on how to analyze the data and what methodology to use The review of literature should guide the researcher in contextualizing the problem and identifying the variables to be looked into

Usually contains variables and depicts their relationships

Illustrated using a diagram or a figure Should always be accompanied by a textual explanation
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Parts of a Research Proposal

Sampling procedure

Sampling is done in most researches for economy of time, money and effort
Sampling is a selection of a part of a population in such a way that the sample is representative of the population Depending on the degree of homogeneity or heterogeneity of the population, the degree of accuracy required, and the objectives, the sample size is determined
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Parts of a Research Proposal

Methods of data collection What information will be collected? How does the researcher propose to gather the data from secondary or primary sources?

If data will come from primary sources, how will they be collected through personal interviews or mailed questionnaires, laboratory or experimental observation or field survey?
Processing of the research proposal will be facilitated if a questionnaire is appended to it. Otherwise, a list of needed information has to be incorporated in the procedure. 36

Parts of a Research Proposal

Project Duration:

Presenting the timetable of planned activities

(work plan) typically involves the use of a Gantt chart to illustrate activity duration. to be undertaken. The activities should answer the expected outputs. The expected outputs on the other hand should be anchored on the proposed objectives.
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Enumerate in chronological order the activities

Parts of a Research Proposal

Estimated Budgetary Requirement

The total financial requirement indicated

must be reasonable and appropriate in relation to the objectives of the study It must be consistent with the work plan Counterparts funds should be indicated and line-item expenditures should be consistent with existing allowable rates

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Parts of a Research Proposal

Estimated Budgetary Requirement (continued)
The said counterpart fund maybe provided anytime during the duration of the proposed project so long as the accumulated allocation satisfies the percentage counterpart fund required Personal services - Honoraria of research leaders, salaries of full time researchers, research assistants, research aides and interviewers
Maintenance and operating expenses - supplies and materials, travel expenses, attendance to meetings/ workshops, communications, contracted services, gasoline and oil, patenting, publication in a refereed journal and other expenses
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Parts of a Research Proposal

Literature Cited - list alphabetically all materials used, quoted, rates, or referred to. Use standard system for citation. Books Author(s)/Editor(s)/Corporate Author(s). Year of Publication. Title of publication. Place of publication: Publisher, year. Pagination. Hnannesy J and Patterson D. 1996. Computer Architecture: A Quantitative Approach. San Francisco, California: Morgan Kauffman Publishers, Inc., 1996. 521-522pp. Technical Journal: Author(s). Year of Publication. Title of article. Name of Journal, Vol and Issue No. Pagination. Tabada, LI and Tagle, PU. 2009. Reliability Analysis of Fault Tolerant Buffered Switch. Proceedings of International Conference on Computer Engineering and Applications. 319-325pp.
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Parts of a Research Proposal

Internet
Author(s)/Editor(s)/Corporate Author(s). Year of Publication. Title of publication. Available at: <URL>. Access Date: <date>. International Engineering Consortium. 2007. Internet Model for Control of Converged Networks. Available at:
http://www.iec.org/online/tutorials/emerg- multi/topic01.html.

Access Date: March 7, 2008.

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Formatting the manuscript

Depends on the college or organizations formatting

Can be automated using LateX software

open source manual available at the CEIT office for reproduction

Writing the Manuscript

Title Abstract Introduction Context Statement of the Problem Objectives Significance Review of Related Literature Methodology Results and Discussions Conclusion Recommendations Literature Cited/ References

Abstract
Find out maximum length (may vary from 50 to 300+ words). Process: Extract key points from each section. Condense in successive revisions. What to avoid: Do not include references to figures, tables, or sources. Do not include information not in report.

Question to address in ABSTRACT

What is the report about, in miniature and without specific details?

How to address it:

State main objectives. (What did you investigate? Why?) Describe methods. (What did you do?) Summarize the most important results. (What did you find out?) State major conclusions and significance. (What do your results mean? So what?)

Writing the Manuscript

Introduction

Context Statement of the Problem Objectives Significance of the Study Review of Related Literature

Methodology

Basically, have the same contents as Proposal Writing: Except in Methodology

Questions to address: How did you study the problem? What did you use? (May be subheaded as Materials)

How to address them: Briefly explain the general type of scientific procedure you used Describe what materials, subjects, and equipment (chemicals, experimental animals, apparatus, etc.) you used. (These may be subheaded Animals, Reagents, etc.) Explain the steps you took in your experiment. (These may be subheaded by experiment, types of assay, etc.)

How did you proceed? (May be subheaded as Methods or Procedures)

Additional Tips: Methodology

Provide enough detail for replication. For a journal article, include, for example, genus, species, strain of organisms; their source, living conditions, and care; and sources (manufacturer, location) of chemicals and apparatus. Order procedures chronologically or by type of procedure (subheaded) and chronologically within type.

Additional Tips: Methodology

Use past tense to describe what you did.

Quantify when possible: concentrations, measurements, amounts (all metric); times (24-hour clock); temperatures (centigrade)

Results

Display of data with logical development showing how your findings satisfy your objectives If possible, give illustrative examples and compare those with known results in the literature Use tables and figures/ pictures

Question to address in RESULTS:

What did you observe?

How to address it::

For each experiment or procedure: Briefly describe experiment without detail of Methods section (a sentence or two). Report main result(s), supported by selected data: Representative: most common Best Case: best example of ideal or exception

Results Additional Tips

Order multiple results logically:

from most to least important from simple to complex; organ by organ; chemical class by chemical class

happened.

Use past tense to describe what

Discussion
AN

INTRODUCTION is to place the reason for carrying out your study in context, so the DISCUSSION is to place your results in context.

Discussion

the hardest section to write you discuss, you do not recapitulate the Results the relationship among observed facts show Don't over-generalize. Don't ignore deviations in your data. Avoid speculation that cannot be tested in the foreseeable future.

Discussion Additional Tips

Move from specific to general: your finding(s) --> literature, theory, practice. Don't ignore or bury the major issue. Did the study achieve the goal (resolve the problem, answer the question, support the hypothesis) presented in the Introduction? Make explanations complete. Give evidence for each conclusion. Discuss possible reasons for expected and unexpected findings.

Questions to How to address them address

What do your observations mean? Summarize the most important findings at the beginning.

What For each major result: conclusions can Describe the patterns, principles, relationships your you draw? results show. Explain how your results relate to expectations and to literature cited in your Introduction. Do they agree, contradict, or are they exceptions to the rule? Explain plausibly any agreements, contradictions, or exceptions. Describe what additional research might resolve contradictions or explain exceptions. How do your results fit into a broader context? Suggest the theoretical implications of results. Suggest practical applications of your results. Extend your findings to other situations or other species. Give the big picture: do your findings help us understand a broader topic?

Conclusion

Draw together the topics discussed Should include concise statement of the papers important results and an explanation of their significance State any shortcomings in the experiments, problems that the theory does not address, and so on

Conclusion

Look beyond the current context to other problems that were not addressed, to questions that were no answered, to variations that could be explored
If you have no conclusion to draw, write Summary

Common Problems

Too long only about 2.5% of manuscript Too much detail emphasize on evaluation, implication, etc. Failure to comment on larger, more significant issues Introduction is deduction while conclusion is inductive (how the research affect the world) Failure to reveal the complexities of a conclusion or situation negative aspects can be included Lack of a concise summary of what was learned. Failure to match the objectives of the research

REMEMBER

Writing helps you to think and to learn. Dont misjudge your audience. They can tell you when you are bluffing and when you dont believe what you are saying or doing.
Write clear and simple, science is not an entertainment.