How to write research proposal?, How to write statement of the problem?, Difference between Research question and hypothesis?, Difference between internal and external validity. Difference between l

1. RESEARCH PROPOSAL

2. Research proposal
 A research proposal is a document written by a
researcher that provides a detailed description
of the proposed program.
 It is like an outline of the entire research
process that gives a reader a summary of the
information discussed in a project.

3. Research Proposal
 Introduction
 Statement of Problem
 Purpose of the study
 Review of the literature
 Question and or Hypothesis
 Research Design
 Limitation and Delimitation
 Significance of the study
 References
 Appendixes

4. Introduction
 It provides readers with the background
information for the research reported in the paper.
 Describe the general field of research and than
narrow down to the specific area you are
concerned with.
 Establish a framework for the research
(Conceptual or Theoretical ), so that readers can
understand how it is related to other research.

5. Conceptual and Theoretical
Framework
 Theoretical Framework: Stimulus elicits response.
 Conceptual Framework: New teaching method improves
students’ academic performance.
 Conceptual framework describes the relationship
between specific variables identified in the study.
 Theoretical framework provides a general
representation of relationships between things in a
given phenomenon. It describes a broader
relationship between things.

6. Introduction should contains
1. Create reader interest in the topic,
2. Lay the broad foundation for the problem
that leads to the study.
3. Place the study within the larger context
of the scholarly literature.
4. Reach out to a specific audience.

7. Statement of Problem
 It will outline the basic facts of the problem,
explain why the problem matters, and pinpoint
a solution as quickly and directly as possible.
 To explain the problem or issue the report is
addressing.

8. How to write problem statement?
 Describe the "ideal" state of affairs: Provide background context first so
that problem are easier to understand.
 Describe the goals, desired state of Problem.
 Ex: you work at a major airline and that you've noticed that the way
passengers board our planes is an inefficient use of time and
resources.
 Problem Statement: The boarding protocols used by ABC Airlines
should aim to get each flight's passengers aboard the plane quickly
and efficiently so that the plane can take off as soon as possible . The
process of boarding should be optimized for time-efficiency but also
should be straightforward enough that it can be easily understood by
all passengers

9. How to write problem statement?
 Explain your problem: Describe a condition
that prevents the goal, state, or value
discussed in statement.
 Problem Statement: However, ABC Airline's current
passenger boarding system is an inefficient use of the
company's time and resources. By wasting employee
man hours, the current boarding protocols make the
company less competitive, and by contributing to a
slow boarding process, they create an unfavorable
brand image.

10. How to write problem statement?
 Explain why we need to solve the problem:
 Problem Statement: The inefficiency of the current
boarding system represents a significant financial
burden for the company. On average, the current
boarding system wastes roughly four minutes per
boarding session, resulting in a total of 20 wasted
man-hours per day across all ABC flights. This
represents a waste of roughly $400 per day, or
$146,000 per year.

11. How to write problem statement?
 Propose a Solution ( how will you research the
problem? What sources of information, types of
research (primary or secondary), or tools will you
use to help you find solutions )
 Problem Statement: Using a modified boarding system
proposed by Dr. Edward Right of the Kowlard Business
Efficiency Institute which has passengers board the plane
from the sides in rather than from the back to the front, ABC
Airlines can eliminate these four minutes of waste.

12. How to write problem statement?
 Explain the benefits of the solution
 Problem Statement: ABC Airlines stands to benefit
substantially from the adoption of this new boarding
program. For instance, the $146,000 in estimated
yearly savings can be re-directed to new sources of
revenue, such as expanding its selection of flights to
high-demand markets.

13. Example
 STATEMENT 1: In order to provide excellent patient care at a minimal cost, Middletown Hospital
needs diagnostic procedures that are safe, efficient, and accurate. In addition, the procedures should
not be overly painful for the patient.
 STATEMENT 2: Right now, Middletown Hospital's main diagnostic tools are CAT scans and
myelograms (spinal taps). The CAT scan fails to make clear diagnoses 60% of the time. When the
CAT scan fails, doctors must resort to the myelogram. While the myelograms are accurate, this
procedure is very painful and sometimes dangerous for the patient.
 STATEMENT 3: If Middletown Hospital continues to do the two procedures, they will not only be
wasting time and money, which jeopardizes their overall efficiency and earning potential. Also,
undue suffering could lead patients to choose another hospital with more advanced facilities.
 RESEARCH : A new diagnostic technique, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) may surpass the
CAT scan in accuracy and reduce the need to resort to the myelogram. I propose to research the
feasibility of establishing an NMR lab at Middletown hospital. I will investigate the accuracy,
efficiency, and safety of NMR as well as implementation issues.

14. Purpose of the study
 It summarizes specific goal of the study.
 It gives the reader an accurate, concrete
understanding what this study will cover.
 Specific and precise - not general, broad or obscure
 Concise - one or two sentences
 Clear - not vague, ambiguous or confusing
 Goal-oriented - stated in terms of desired outcomes
Ex: This purpose of this report is to describe the main causes
of traffic congestion in Seattle.

15. Review of the Literature
 The review of the literature provides the
background and context for the research
problem. It should establish the need for the
research and indicate that the writer is
knowledgeable about the area.
 Literature selected should be pertinent and
relevant.

16. Review of the Literature
 This is where you provide detail on what others
have done in the area, and what you propose to
do.
 The gaps in the literature.
 Research questions and hypotheses which are
connected carefully to the literature being
reviewed.
 Definition of key terms (introduce each idea).
 Gaps that can be the focus of data collection or
analysis.

17. Research Question / Hypothesis
 A research question poses a relationship between two
or more variables but phrases the relationship as a
question.
 Hypothesis represents a declarative statement of the
relations between two or more variables.
 Questions and hypotheses should be testable.
 Make a clear and careful distinction between the
dependent and independent variables.
 Be prepared to interpret any possible outcomes with
respect to the questions or hypotheses.

18. Research Design
 Indicate the methodological steps you will take to answer
every question or to test every hypothesis illustrated in the
Questions/Hypotheses section.
 In the design section, indicate
 The variables you propose to control and how you propose to control
them, experimentally or statistically
 The variables you propose to randomize, and the nature of the
randomizing unit (students, grades, schools, etc.).
 You will not produce a perfect, error free design (no one can).
However, you should anticipate possible sources of error and attempt
to overcome them or take them into account in your analysis.
Moreover

19. Research Design
Sampling:
 Explain what type of sampling and why?
 If available, outline the characteristics of the sample (by
gender, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, or other
relevant group membership).
 Sampling is concerned because of
 External validity (the extent to which the results of a study can be
generalized to other situations and to other people).
 Internal validity (reflects the extent to which a causal conclusion
based on a study is warranted).

20. Research Design
Instrumentation:
 Outline the instruments you propose to use (surveys,
scales, interview protocols, observation grids).
 If instruments have previously been used, identify
previous studies and findings related to reliability and
validity. If instruments have not previously been used,
outline procedures you will follow to develop and test
their reliability and validity. (Pilot study is important)
 Explain the selection of instrument.

21. Research Design
Data Collection and Data Analysis:
 Outline the general plan for collecting the data (survey
administration procedures, interview or observation
procedures, time schedule for data collection).
 Data Analysis: Specify the procedures you will use, and label
them accurately (e.g., ANOVA, MANCOVA, HLM,
ethnography, case study, grounded theory) and write reason
why you have chosen this tool.
 Indicate briefly any analytic tools you will have available and
expect to use (e.g., Ethnograph, NUDIST, AQUAD, SAS,
SPSS, SYSTAT).

22. Limitations and Delimitations
 A limitation identifies potential weaknesses of the study.
(analysis, the nature of self-report, instruments, the sample,
threats to internal validity that may have been impossible to
avoid or minimize) explain that.
 A delimitation addresses how a study will be narrowed in
scope, that is, how it is bounded. This is the place to explain
the things that you are not doing and why you have chosen
not to do them—the literature you will not review (and why
not), the population you are not studying (and why not), the
methodological procedures you will not use (and why you will
not use them).

23. Significance of the Study
 Indicate how your research will refine, revise,
or extend existing knowledge in the area under
investigation. It may have either new
knowledge in substantive, theoretical, or
methodological significance.

24. References
 Only references cited in the text are included
in the reference list.
 Follow one reference style as per your
proposal requirement (like APA)

25. Appendixes
The following are example of materials included
as appendices in the proposal:
Instruments / Questionnaire - if incomplete, you
should include sample items
Interview checklist / protocols
Instructions to subjects
Official permission to conduct research