Research Project, Research Methodology, Selection of a problem for research,

1. Preparing a
Research
Proposal
Prof. Mahendra Kumar Ghadoliya
ghadoliyaseconomics-mahendra.blogspot.in

2. Research: Purpose and Question(s)
– Why this Research?
– Who owns it? For whom? Who funds it?
– Research Questions and their evaluation:
– From the owner, self and/ or colleagues
– Brainstorming, prioritizing (using scoring, ranking or voting
techniques).
– Selecting one or more of them- it should be a guide, not too
narrow, nor too broad.
– Practical constraints of time, resources, etc.

3. Literature Review
– Essential Part of every research exercise
– Not an extensive list of relevant references.
– Should reflect:
– Selective, purposeful and critical reading
– That you have a reasonable understanding of the area of
your research
– Where your work fits in the area concerned
- Could be a chapter or inter spread within the body of text

4. Research type
– Historical
– Descriptive
– Experimental

5. Approach, Design, Tools
– Large scale survey, in-depth case study, experimentation,
participatory and action research,…
– Surveys, Documentary analysis, Interviews, Focus group
discussions experimental designs, mixed…
– Interview schedules, Questionnaires,…

6. Your work plan
– Are you in a team or a sole researcher- your role
– What is the locale of research and the time plan
– What/who are you researching- How many groups or individuals?
– How do you conduct it and with what tools?
– What kind of data to collect, how to analyse it?
– What constraints and biases do you see and their management?
– How do you present, disseminate or use your findings?

7. Research Activities
– Decisions regarding the type, approach and design
– Identification of the subject, sampling and grouping
– Preparation of research instruments, testing of the
instruments
– Collection of Data, its organisation and analysis, reaching
conclusions
– Preparation of the report and dissemination of outcomes

8. Outcomes
– Findings and conclusions
– Recommendations
– A Manual, Guidelines for---
– Policy directions
– Sequential findings (action research) for further work

9. Dissemination of Outcomes
– Preparation of Team mates, colleagues and/or
stakeholders
– Research report, papers for sponsors and journals.
– Institutional, one’s own and/or other relevant
websites
– Outcome specific strategies

10. Limitations and Delimitations
– Handicaps:
– Funds, time, geographical terrain, institutional constraints,…
– Design:
– Experiment related, sample, expert support
– Execution:
– Slipe, accidents,…
– Delimitations: Limits of the exercise

11. References
– Format consistency:
– Consistency within the text
– Report-end details
– Computer Packages:
– Endnote for formatting
– Website References:
– Should be complete with dates and downloaded timings
– Should be reliable

12. Appendices
– Any significant information/ detail that does not suit
the flow of presentation in the report:
– Questionnaire. Interview Schedule,…
– Timetable
– Budget
– Etc.

13. Timetable
– Exploratory Work:
– Identifying the purpose and the related Research Question and working
out the rational for the exercise
– Literature Review:
– Consequent improvement in the research questions and the rationale
– Research activities:
– Preparation of report:
– Dissemination:

14. Customization
– Presentation:
– I /III person, consistent format for references.
– Donors’ Format:
– Goals, purpose, activities, outcomes, and costs; )measurable
indicators, means of verification, assumption)
– Ethics:
– Subjects’ protection and other related issues