This document discusses the components and structure of a research proposal. It explains that a research proposal is required to obtain approval and funding for a research project. The document outlines the typical sections included in an academic or non-academic research proposal, such as an introduction, literature review, methodology, analysis plan, timeline and references. It provides guidance on the key information to include in each section, such as stating the research problem, objectives, methodology, variables and hypotheses. The purpose of a research proposal is to present the research question and design for evaluation before conducting the study.

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Advanced Research Methods & Techniques
Mohammad ZakiRashidi
Research Proposal
Lecture # 3

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Request for Proposal (RFP)
Why do we need a research proposal?
When this document is required?
How to write this technical document?
What information do we need?
Who will approve it?
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Different purposes / reasons
Funded
Managerial
Academic
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NON-ACADEMIC RESEARCH PROPOSALS
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The Research Proposal Process

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Benefits of the RFP
Provide monitoring device
Provide control function
RFPs
Provide
evaluation opportunity
Formalize
research procurement process
Establish performance expectations
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Activities in RFP Process
Qualify potential vendors
Write and distribute RFP
Answer supplier questions
Evaluate submissions
Provide critique to all suppliers
Award contracts and start

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RFP Components
Proposal administration information
Summary statement of problem
Technical section
Management section
Pricing section
Contracts and license section
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RFP Elements
Services and support
Cost proposal
RFP
Elements
Background
Vendor information
Proposed solution
Instructions to
bidders

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The Research Proposal
Purpose
Present
management question
Propose
necessary data
Suggest data
collection
and analysis
Discuss
research
efforts
Elements of Research Proposal
Executive Summary
Problem Statement
Research Objectives
Literature Review
Importance/ Benefits of Study
Research Design
Data Analysis
Nature/Form
Research Qualifications
Budget
Schedule
Facilities
Project Management
Bibliography
Appendices

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WRITING ACADEMIC RESEARCH PROPOSAL
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Introduction
Back ground / Preamble
The Problem
Objectives of the study / Purpose of the study
Justification
Limitations
Scope
Assumptions
Definitions of key terms

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Back ground / Preamble
Opening about your topic
The overview of the area under study
Historical development
Philosophical or ideological issues related to the topic
Major theories (if any) / few selected theories if the topic is broad / related theories
Main issues / advances in the area / Important practical issues
Major findings related to the core issues
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The Problem
Identify the issues that are the basis of the current study
Specify the various aspects of / perspectives on these issues
Raise some of the main research questions that you want to answer through your study
Identify what knowledge is available concerning your questions
Develop a rationale for your study with particular reference to how your study will fill the identified gap

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Objectives of the study / Purpose of the study
Provide the main objective(s) of your study
Provide the sub-objectives of your study
Use action oriented word like: To determine, To identify, To ascertain etc.
May be written in paragraph form or bullets for different objectives
This will basically answer what this study would accomplish not why
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Justification
Specify the reasons of your study
Identify stake holders (direct and related) and their benefits

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Limitations
What this study will not accomplish
Under what circumstances / conditions / settings the results will be applicable
Reasons of these limitations
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Scope
To what extent this study will be conducted
To what conditions / settings the results can be generalized / applicable

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Assumptions
State all the assumption you have taken to conduct this study
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Definitions of key terms
Define key terms / special terms / specific terms /
Explain acronyms used in your study

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Research Methodology
Research Design
Procedure
Population
Sample and Sampling method
Measurement / Instrument selection
Variables
Hypotheses
Plan of Analysis / Statistical Tools
Software employed
Research Schedule
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Research Design
It indicates what type of study will you use (qualitative / quantitative etc.)

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Procedure
How will you accomplish this study?
Your specific steps / method
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Population
Frame of reference / entire population under consideration (homogeneous / heterogeneous)
Specific characteristic(s) related to your study

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Sample and Sampling method
Sampling method and its justification to use
Sample size and why this specific size
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Measurement / Instrument selection
Data collection (primary / secondary)
Methods of data collection (focus group, survey, experiments etc.)
Any specific scale / questionnaire to be used and why it is chosen for this study

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Variables
Define different variables used in this study
How these variable will be measured
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Hypotheses
State specific hypotheses included in your study or you wish to test during your research
Hypotheses should be stated clearly, delineating the relationships to the objectives to be tested

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Plan of Analysis / Statistical Tools
Plan of statistical analysis (descriptive stats, different test statistics,)
Parametric or non parametric, univariate or multvariate statistics to be employed
Specific testing or analysis tools to be used
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Software employed
Spreadsheet / SPSS / SAS / Minitab etc.

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Research Schedule
Time frame / schedule
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References
Provide all consulted references. This may include books / magazines /journals / reports / websites etc.

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Appendix
It contains any specific document like draft / selected questionnaire you would like to attach.
Proposal Complexity

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NOTE
This is not the exhaustive list for research proposal. Your proposal may not necessarily contain all the given subsections. The choice depends upon the type of study / research project you wish to undertake, field of research, level of research (undergraduate, graduate, MS or PhD etc.), depth and breadth of the topic you have chosen.

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