Developing Research Proposal

Lec. On 27-9-11
Developing a Research Topic;
Research Proposal; Contents of
a Research Study; Theoretical/
Conceptual Framework

Developing a Research Topic
The first step is deciding upon a topic.
A clearly defined research topic is the first step in
successful research because it highlights the
problem.
Before you can begin to research anything, you
must CLEARLY understand the question that you
are researching.
One purpose is to convince your potential
supervisor(s), advisory committee, school, etc.
that you are capable of doing the research and
that your project is viable.
How do you decide upon a research topic?

Sources of Selecting a Problem
It depends on:
Your own observation
Deduction from theory
Your own practice
Theory testing
Related literature
Evaluation of existing programs
Developing or analyzing policies

Considerations for Research
Topic/Problem/Question

It should be:
Of interest to you
Significant
Researchable (i.e. access to data, etc.)
Feasible (financially and technically)
Of practical value (applicable in practice)
Focused
Clear
Ethical

Choosing a Topic
There are some important requirements in
choosing a topic:
1. You are interested in the topic.
2. A faculty member is prepared to supervise
you.
3. You can obtain relevant data on the topic.
4. You have relevant knowledge and skills on
the subject.

Broad Topic V Narrow Topic

– Broad topic

Difficult to find relevant sources if topic is
broad/ambiguous
Example: Job Security in Pakistan

– Narrow topic
Provides precise information
Example: Job Security in Pakistan: A Case Study
of Beverages Industry
More Specific Example: Job Security in Pakistan:
A Case Study of Beverages Industry in Karachi (or
in Korangi Industrial Area, Karachi)
Even More Specific Example: Job Security in
Pakistan: A Case Study of Pepsi Co., Karachi

Narrowing down the Topic
By geographical distribution (Which city or
town or village? Where? What area? Street?
Exact location?)
By Sampling (total population, sampling
characteristics, sample identification/ frame,
size, and selection procedure)
Rationale approach (deductive or inductive
reasoning/logic) Deductive reasoning: An
approach from general to particular/specific
solution. Inductive reasoning: An approach
from particular/specific to general solution.

Format of a Research Topic
The topic should address the research problem,
thematic area, organization, or geographic area.
It’s better to start the topic with a noun, or present
participle, or article such as: Identifying Factors
Affecting Consumer Behavior of Buying Luxurious
Brands; Exploring New Trends in E-advertising in
Pakistan; An Analysis of Financial and Non-financial
Performance of UBL from 2006-2010.

Try to avoid topics that start with a question mark,
such as: What is the impact of ….. because it may
be a research question; or negative meaning words,
such as: The Adverse Effect of Smoking ......
because it may show researcher bias.

Theoretical Framework
(in relation with research topic)
Four steps are very significant in most of
the research projects:
1. Choose a topic (considering the problem).
2. Think of an aim of the study.
3. Choose
some
potential
research
questions or hypotheses.
4. Make or choose (from literature review) a
theoretical framework to identify important
variables to analyze or work on.

Steps in Choosing a
Research Problem
Move on to next
stage of research
design

Read literature on
your research topic,
check results, and
identify gaps
2. Generate list of
Yes
No
interesting potential
6. Does a suitable
questions
problem exist?
1.

3. Check

Eliminate
impractical questions
5.

literature.
Have questions been
answered already?
4. Test
feasibility

Figure 3.1. How to identify a research problem (adapted from Collis & Hussey, 2003)

Research Proposal

Research Plan

Research Design

Synopsis

Research Proposal
It is a draft of the first chapter of the
study.
It is planning in advance about how
to do a research and designing its
methodology.
A proposal is like a lay out plan or
design an architecture has made.

Types of Research Proposals
Internal Proposal: Internal proposals are presented
to the in-house management by the researcher,
which are short and snappy; a one to three-page
memo from the researcher to management outlining
the problem statement, study objectives, research
design, resources inclusive of budget, and schedule
is enough to start a study.
External Proposal: External proposals are
presented to the donor agencies, government, or
any outside organizations by the researcher, which
are detailed and may comprise introduction, as well
as literature review, and research design sections.

Types of Research Proposals
Solicited or Unsolicited Proposals: A proposal
can be either solicited or unsolicited.
A solicited proposal is developed in response to
a request for proposals by government or a
donor agency, and is likely to compete against
several others for the contract or grant.
An unsolicited proposal represents a suggestion
by a contract researcher for a research that
might be done. Such proposals do not compete
against others.

Benefits of the Proposal
1. It allows the researcher to plan and
review the project’s steps.
2. It serves as a guide throughout the
investigation.
3. It helps in making time and budget
estimates. Moreover, it suggests human,
technical, and instrumental requirement.

• Sometimes a researcher
grants or stipends on doing a
research project. In that
proposal must meet the
guidelines set by the

receives
particular
case, a
specific
Sponsor.

• Budget
- Too high budget will be rejected
- Too low budget can be suspicious.
• Late proposal will not be reviewed.

Format of the Research
It varies from study to study:
Research Proposal (RP) for a class
project
RP for an independent study (IS) or
research paper/article
RP for a thesis or dissertation
Professional/Commercial RP

Modules in a Professional
Research Proposal
Executive Summary
Problem Statement
Research Objectives
Importance of Study
Research Design
Delimitations
Literature Review
Methodology and Data
Analysis
Discussion of Results/
Results and Findings

Qualifications of
Researcher
Budget
Schedule
Technical Staff Req’d
Facilities Available
Work Plan
Project Management
References or Bibliography

Appendices

RP Format For Academic Purpose
Title Page - Table of Contents - Abstract
Introduction or Background of the Study/Problem
Problem Statement
- Study Objectives
Research Questions or Hypotheses
Methodology
- Scope of the Study
Rationale/Benefit of Research - Limitations
Literature Review
Research Design (Population, Sample Selection,
Size, and Sampling method)
Data Analysis
- Budget and Schedule
Initial Conclusion (if any in special cases)
References/Bibliography and Appendix if any

Research Report Format (for Academic Purpose)
Title Page - Table of Contents - Acknowledgement
Abstract
Introduction or Background of the Study/Problem
Problem Statement
- Study Objectives
Research Questions or Hypotheses
Methodology
- Scope of the Study
Rationale/Benefit of Research - Limitations
Literature Review
Research Design (Population, Sample Selection, Size, & Method)
Data Analysis
Conclusion and Recommendations
Areas of Further Study
References/Bibliography and Appendix if any

Research Report Format:
Abstract

It describes:
Research problem
Purpose/Objective(s) of the study
Research design (data collection methods, sampling
design and sp. size)
Results
Conclusion
Originality of research and value
Key words (for paper/article of a journal; ex. Microfinance; Pakistan)
Abstract is optional in a proposal, if given, it doesn’t
discuss results and conclusion. Some abstracts only
discuss about the problem and the steps undertaken for its
solution.
Size: Usually 1 page or 200-250 words.

Research Report Format: Chapter 1,
INTRODUCTION
Background (of the problem/study)
Problem Statement
Research Objectives
Research Question/Hypotheses
Methodology
Scope of the Study
Rationale/Benefit of the Study
Limitations
(Chapter/Section) Summary (optional)
References (optional)

Chapter 2, LITERATURE REVIEW
Definition of the technical term concerned with
the topic (if any, suppose micro finance, if the
topic of study is on that).
International Scenario
Regional Scenario
National Scenario
Location of Study’s Scenario
Similar Studies (their methods and results)
Theoretical/Conceptual Framework

Chapter 3, METHODOLOGY
Research Design
Data Collection Methods
Sampling
(target
population,
characteristics,
sampling frame, sampling size, and procedure)
Research Approach (suppose survey; questionnaire
using structured and close-ended questions and 5point Likert scale for measurement; variables to be
measured;
reliability
and
validity
of
the
instrument(s); and info on specialized tools for
observation, etc. (if any)
Data Analysis (description of techniques)
Justification of the Research Design

Chapter 4, DATA ANALYSIS,
FINDINGS AND RESULTS

Descriptive findings (in qualitative study) or Inferential findings
(in quantitative study)
Descriptive findings (textual or subjective or explanatory
interpretation of the perceptions, attitudes, or behaviors of the
majority, minority, and various clusters, if any, among the
sample group) and answering the research questions.
Findings/Discussion of Results (applying tests such as
Correlation, Regression, etc. and their interpretation) and
testing the hypotheses.
Comparing results with those of other studies
Implementation of findings (through proposed actions,
changes in standards, policies, programs, etc. and if findings
can not be applied instantly, then, describe reasons or areas
for further study)

Chapter 5, CONCLUSION
AND RECOMMENDATIONS
Make sure to solve the research problem and
accomplish its objective(s) through conclusion
and recommendations.

REFERENCES/BIBLIOGRAPHY
APPENDIX(ICES)/ANNEX(ES)
/ADDENDUM(A) (It is not considered as the
body of the study and the study ends at
conclusion
and
implications
or
recommendations section).

Synopsis: It is a form of research proposal that
comprises of various sections such as,
introduction,
initial
literature
review,
methodology, initial results (if any), and
references, which will be subject to the approval
of the supervisor.
Problem Statement: It should be short and
concise and comprise of one paragraph stating
how the situation turns as a problem or a
potential opportunity, but it should not offer a
solution.
Research Objective(s): They flow from problem
statement, should be minimum and achievable,
as 1-2 or 1-3, and can be stated in 1-2 lines.

o Scope of the Study: It should maintain the
thematic scope, geographic scope, and proposed
actions for implementations of the findings, such
as the study will help in defining ….….
Rationale/Benefit of the Study: It should
enumerate the significance and benefits of the
study, such as, it may help in improving quality,
cutting cost, saving time, money, and effort,
improved services, increased safety, improved
productivity, solving a complex issue, or tapping
an opportunity.
Delimitations: They should state the constraints
of time, financial and technical resources, limited
geographic scope and sample size, etc.

Literature Review
This section examines the recent (or historically
significant) research studies, company data, or industry
reports that act as a basis for the proposed study.
If the problem has a historical background, begin with
the earliest references.
Emphasize the important results and conclusions of
other studies, the relevant data and trends from previous
research, and particular methods or design that could be
duplicated or should be avoided.
If your study deals solely with secondary data, show the
weaknesses or faults in the design, discuss the
relevance of data, and the bias or lack of bias in it.
Close the literature review section by summarizing the
important aspects of the literature and interpreting them
in terms of your problem.

Appendices
Any information which is not that much
important and not necessarily very directly
linked to the text can be given in
appendices, like a questionnaire, tables,
charts, formulas, important definition, etc.
If the material is “interesting to know”
rather than “essential to know”, should be
given in appendix/ces/addendum.

Value and Cost of Research
Cost Benefit Analyses
• Cost should not exceed the benefits.
Value/Benefits
Research helps in:
•
•
•

Decreased Uncertainty
Increased Performance
Correct Decision s

Cost/Disbenefits
Research costs:
Research Expenses
Delay in Decision Making
Possible Erroneous Research Results

•Get some one’s help,
•See your Supervisor,

Theoretical/Conceptual
Framework

Elements of Theory
1.

Concepts

2.

Variables

3.

Hypothesis

4.

Theory

Model

1. Concepts
It is a thought, generalized idea, or a mental image
about an object, person, attribute, occurrence, etc.
The concept/idea of every person are different about
various things like:
• Power
o Position
o Status
• Market
o Industry
It depends upon the context in which the concept is
being used and who is going to use and where? For
instance, every one may have different perception and
definition of power.

2. Variable(s)
When we move from concepts (conceptual level) to the
empirical level in research, concepts are converted into
VARIABLES by mapping them into a set of values.
Example: Employees Turnover: A Case Study of SZABIST
Variables of “Job Turnover” will be:
Pay,
Job satisfaction,
Labor market,
Working environment,
Facilities at work,
Recognition,
Encouragement,
etc.

Type of Variables:
a. Independent b. Dependent
Example:
If some one researches on JOB SATISFACTION
that: Are employees satisfied from their job?
Job satisfaction is or may be dependent on:
Salary, Career Growth, Facilities Available, Work
Environment, Organizational Policies, Behavior of
Boss and Co-workers, etc.
Thus job satisfaction is the dependent variable and
Salary, Career Growth, Facilities, etc. are
independent variables. More types of variables will
be discussed later.

3. Hypothesis
It is a tentative proposition, assumption, or supposition
which is subject to scientific or statistical verification. It
is a connection among concepts which constitute a
theory.
For example: Money is the main motivator. It has two
variables, money and motivation that form a relationship
with each other.
The early behavioral scientists connected various
concepts on motivating employees, built variables and
hypotheses and tested them for constituting theories on
motivation, like Maslow’s Hierarchy Need Theory (for
understanding employees needs and motivating them for
superior performance and productivity).

4. Model
It is a pattern, form, template, set of rules,
structure or workings of an object, system, or
concept, etc.
A model/paradigm can be:
a. Economic Model, like:
Privatization Model/Liberalization Model

b. Marketing Model: [Porter’s Model, etc.]
b. Mathematical/Stat Model: [Regression, etc.]
C. Social Sciences related Models, etc.
[Poverty reduction through micro financing]

Example of a Theoretical Model

Source: Selective Gatekeeping. Galtung and Ruge selective
gatekeeping theory suggests that news from around the world
are evaluated using news values to determine their
newsworthiness. (After Mc Quail and Windahl 1993, p. 166)

Theory
Theory is a fact, principle, or generalization arrived
after verification. But sometimes, new and modern
theories come and prove earlier theories wrong.
It is a sound set of hypothesis, empirically verified
over a period of time and supported by
considerable evidences (such as empirical,
statistical, or any other validation).
A theory is a mathematical or logical explanation,
or a testable model.

Examples of Theory:
Noise adversely affects the mental efforts for
solving a puzzle.

Market Economy leads towards efficiency.
Privatization leads to economic prosperity.

Conceptual/Theoretical Framework
It is collection of interrelated ideas/concepts
/theories (related to the topic).
A Theoretical Framework guides your
research, determining what things you will
measure, and what statistical relationships
you will look for.
CF/TF helps us to understand and use the
ideas of others who have done similar
work.

A. It provides an inventory of variables, shows all the
variables in a diagram.
B. It specifies the directions of relationships.
C. It explains these relationship.
D. It helps in making new proposition/plan/scheme.
E. It helps in arranging these propositions in sequential
order.

Theoretical Framework V
Conceptual Framework
Theoretical Framework is a theory in the
form of a model/paradigm that serves as
the basis for the study. It mentions the
proponents of the study and their results.
Conceptual
Framework
is
the
researcher’s own model illustrating
variables that specify the problem and
gives direction to the study. It may be an
adaptation of a model in an early theory,
with modifications to suit the inquiry.

Theoretical Framework Components:
Relationship of Concepts

Example: Research Topic:
Joint Families system in Pakistan during the
Modern Era
Problem Statement: The emerging trends in the Pakistani
society witness a decline in joint family system and family
size (as witnessed by media reports). This causal study
aims to identify the causes of the new trends.
Research Question (in a statement form): Trend of joint
families and causes of decline in family size in Pakistan.
Hypothesis: In Pakistan, mainly in cities, joint family system
is declining.

1. Make an inventory of variables.
Identify the factors relevant to the RQ.
These factors can be named as variables:
Variables in this research question (RQ) can be:
a. Education level of couples
b. Age of marriage
c. Access to media
d. Health facilities
e. Awareness/Trend of family planning
f. Aspiration about the education of children, etc.

2. Specify the direction of relationships.

Higher the education, higher the age of
marriage.
Higher the education, greater the career
chances.
Higher the education, more the rationalism.
Higher the education, more exposure to media.

Higher the education, more access of health
services.
Higher the education of parents, higher the
aspiration about their children’s education.
Higher the education of couples, higher the
mobility orientation of couples.

3. Explain relationships among these variables.
For getting higher education, youngsters have to spend
about 16 years of their life in educational institutions. Let
us say they complete their education at the age of 22 years.
After completing their education, they spend 2-3 years for
establishing themselves. During this period, they continue
differing their marriage. By the time they decide about their
marriage, they are about 25 years. Compare this age of
marriage with the 16 years age of marriage. Obviously with
this higher age of marriage, there is a reduction in the
reproductive period of women. Similarly, we can develop
logic in support of other proposed relationships, such as
growing awareness of family planning.

4. Make an inventory of proposition and arrange
them into statement.
a. When people get more educated, they get busy in education
and career setting, so they marry late. If they marry late, there
are chances of reduction in the reproductive system.
b. When they are educated, they understand family planning, so
they give birth to lesser children. In that case we can say that
the size of declining family is affected by education.

Hypothesis and Theory:
1. Educated people have a small size of family.
2. Educated people with smaller children have a
happy life.

Developing Research Proposal

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