This document outlines the key components of a research proposal for a Masters in Environmental Science program. It discusses defining a research topic, ethical considerations, typical proposal structure, and methodology. The proposal structure includes identifying a problem, reviewing literature, developing an analytical framework, outlining methodology and data analysis plan, proposed chapter outline, time frame, and references. Developing a well-designed research proposal is important to define the scope, objectives, and methods for a proposed study.

1. Department of
Department of Environmental Science
State University of Bangladesh
Masters in Environmental Science Program
ES 522: Environmental Analysis and Its
Interpretation
Lecture 3:
Research Proposal

2. Lecture Outline:
 What is Research design/proposal?
 Ethical concerns of research ?
 Identifying and Deciding on a Topic
 Typical format of a Research Proposal

3. What is Research Design?
 Research design is essentially the structure of research --it is the
"glue" that holds all of various elements in a research project
together.
 Research proposal is a written statement that states the scope,
objectives and methods to be followed for a proposed research
project.
 This is also known as Research Protocol
Research Design narrates:
a) the statement of problems/ issues/ themes you are addressing
b) the fundamental research questions to be pursued
c) the plan of what data to gather, from whom, how and when to collect
the data, and how to analyze the data obtained

4. Ethical concerns of Research
 Purpose of the research should be ethically correct and
must protect / ensure rights / welfare / dignity of people /
citizens (country specific or global)
 Assurance of the protection of identity of the informants
(if asked for)
 Maintaining the originality of the data/ information
 Adequate referencing
 Zero tolerance to Plagiarism

5. Identifying and Deciding on a Topic
Three simple steps -
 Identify a broad theme
 Focus on a particular topic
 Focus on a Problem / issue or debate within
the topic
Broad Theme:
Forestry Focus on
Particular Topic:
Current State and
Challenges in Homestead
Forestry development
Focus on a Particular Issue:
Homestead Forestry Operations
(with focus on floristic composition,
socio-economy, indigenous
knowledge and practices, Policy
implications
Example-1:

6. Continuation…
Example-2:
Broad Theme:
Governance Focus on
Particular Topic:
Educational Governance
(emphasis on Accountability,
transparency and participation)
Focus on a Particular Issue:
Quality of education ( impact of
Accountability, transparency and
participation on quality of
education )

7. Typical format of a Research
Design/Proposal
1. Identification of a problem/issue
a. Statement of the problem/issue
b. Illustration of the problem/issue
c. Significance of the problem/ issue(Social, political, economic,
environmental…)
2. Review of Literature
 What others have already done..?
 What are the limitations of those studies?
 Carving out the scope for your study

8. Continuation…
3. Analytical/Theoretical framework
Outline of the proposed theoretical/conceptual framework to be
used.
4. Methodology
What research methods to be followed and why?
a) What methods and tools of data collection being contemplated
(including any sampling and its design)?
b) What kind/ type of information needs to be gathered?
c) Possible sources of data
d) (Any possible) Statistical Design
What statistical tool is going to be used?
What level of statistical significance be desired?

9. Continuation…
5. Analysis Plan Data Editing and Processing techniques to be
used
Research Questions/Objectives
CollectionData Tools
Data Collection
Synthesis and analysis
Data Classification
Compare and contrast Results
Write Initial Findings
Exploratory
Consolidate Findings & develop Theory
Inductive
Compare with
previous findings
An Example:

10. 6. Tentative Chapter Outline
Chapter 1. Introduction
1.1 Statement of the Problem
1.2 Review of literature
1.3 Research Questions
1.4 Hypothesis (if any)
1.5 Scope and Objectives
1.6 Limitations of the study
Chapter 2. Theoretical/Analytical framework
Chapters 3, 4, 5, 6 (empirical analyses, observations, conclusions,
recommendations ….)

11. Continuation…
7.Time Frame and Resourcing Plan
8. Initial Reference and Bibliography
(including any annexure)
(acknowledgement: some of the contents are drawn from a lecture by Professor Niaz
Ahmed Khan, Ph.D. (Wales), Post Doc. (Oxford), University of Dhaka; his
contributions are gratefully acknowledged)

12. Contract:
Shankor Paul
E-mail: shankor.paul@gmail.com
Cell: 01712009028;
FB ID & LinkedIn: Shankor Paul; Skype: Shankor_Paul