This document outlines the key stages of the research process and provides guidance on developing a research proposal. It discusses the three main stages as 1) planning stage (research proposal), 2) implementation stage (field work), and 3) communication of findings (writing research report). For the planning stage, it provides details on the components and sections that should be included in a research proposal such as the title, introduction, objectives, methodology, timelines and budget. It emphasizes that the proposal should have a clear purpose and methodology to answer the research question. The implementation stage involves collecting and analyzing data. The final stage is communicating findings through a written research report.

1. HAILU FEKADU (MPH)
Department of Public health
College of health science
Arsi University
1
Stage of research
process

2. Stage of research process
2
1.Planning stage (research proposal)
2. The implementation stage(Field work)
3. Communication of research findings (Writing research report)

3. 1.Planning stage (research proposal)
3
• A Research Proposal
• Describe the details of the planning phase of a research process ,a complete
written document which fully have details of all activities and steps to be
followed through out the research process .
• It is mandatory to have completely written research proposal before conducting
any components of a research activity because it used a blue print for research
project.
• N.B when we write a proposal of a research we must use future tense.

4. Planning stage (research proposal)
cond
4
• This is the initial stage of research process.
• It begins with identification of the research problem.
• Plan of analysis and statement of the problem ,review and
evaluation of relevant literature
• Formulation of purposes and detail description of about the
methods to be used, study population and the tools to be used to
collect information.

5. 5
• Brain storming
• what is the purpose of writing research proposal?

6. Function of research proposal
6
Help to consider various aspects of the study which may be
Provide chance of setting comment from others (knowledgeable on
the issue).
Serve as step by steps guide during conducting research activities.
Help to reduce mistake and save time
Away to find and secure fund

7. Elements/components of research proposal
7
• Title /topic of a research
• Acknowledgement
• Abstract
• Table of content
• Introduction /background
• Statement of the problem
• Significance of the study
• Conceptual frame work
• Research hypothesis
• Literature review
• Objective
• Methods
• Work plan
• Budget section
• Reference
• Annexes –1. dummy table
• 2. questioner
• Lacks result, discussion, conclusion, recommendations
•

8. Sections of Research proposal
8
1. Title of the research
The Title page should contain
- a title that indicates the focus of the work/The issue to be
researched
- Include your name, and other persons on the project
as well as the name of your university.
• The geographical coverage and research year
• Title page: Name of advisers date and summit ion date

9. Example
9
• ADAMA UNIVERSITY
• SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCINCES
• Assessment of Factors Influencing Utilization of Modern Contraceptive
Methods among Women in the Reproductive Age Group in Arsi Zone,
Oromia Region, 2013.
By
Firew Tafesse (BSc)
Advisor: Alemayehu Worku (PhD)
• A proposal submitted to the School of health science, Adama University as
partial fulfillment for the requirements of BSC Degree of Pharmacy
Assela
Ethiopia
2013

10. 10
• Criteria to chose a title
• Originality
• Can be completed within the study period
• Consider budgetary issues

11. AKNOLEDGEMENT
11
• Thank all who help you to develop and implement this study

12. Abstract
12
• Your abstract may be up to one page in length. It includes:
• The background & significance, a clear statement of the general question and
• The objective
• The methods that will be used, explanation of how the methods will provide the
data necessary to answer the question and
• Analysis that you are going to used
The budget that you need to accomplish the whole survey.

13. Introduction
13
2.1 Brief background information
• Introduction should be short about one or two pages
_State why you chose your particular project;
_ tell why it is of interest or worthy of the attempt
• Population composition in reference to the study objectives (Refer to www.csa.gov.et )
• Context: Socio-cultural factors, policy environment, health service coverage, number of
health care facilities at different levels (Refer to www.moh.gov.et . District report, etc.)
• What is unique about the study area to undertake the particular research

14. Statement of the problem
14
Statement of the problem
• The problems could be identified by making an extensive reading on
literatures
• The magnitude of the problem refers to the magnitude of the health
condition at global, SSA, Ethiopian and study district level (only one
figure at each level) – Refer UN agency web-sites and national reports
• Highlight main factors associated with the outcome of interest
• Please consider appropriate study designs to document magnitudes and
determinants
• Cross-sectional for magnitude and analytical designs for determinants

15. 2.2 Rationale of the study
15
• Why do you want to study this issue at this time
• What will be the significance of the envisaged study
• In terms of improving service delivery
• In ways of enhancing research methods
• In diversifying program areas, etc.
• What will be the relevance of your study in influencing existing
policies/programs/strategies
• Relate it to international commitments (MDGs)
• Link it to national/regional government priority areas
Researchers’ and funding organizations’ interests should not be
overemphasized

16. Conceptual /study frame work
16
• A schematic presentation showing the association between factors
and outcomes
• We use arrows to show relations
• You should mind how arrows are drawn and try to interpret it
• Mind also how you will be analyzing the data
• It is advisable to use a standard framework

17. Example of Conceptual /study frame work
17
FP utilization
acces
sibilit
y
religion
cultur
e
Edu
level

18. Research Questions
18
• Formulate study question (s) from identified gaps
• You may have more than one research question in a thesis
• However, you are advised to address few research questions
Eg. 1. What is the level of contraception
• in the study area?
• by urban/rural residence type?
• Muslims and Christians?

19. HYPOTHESIS
19
 Hypotheses emanate from research questions in a structured way
• Convert your research question into statistical hypotheses
• Null vs. alternative hypothesis
Example
1. H0: There is no difference in contraception between rural and urban residents
HA: There is difference in contraception among urbanites and rural residents
2. H0: There is no difference in contraception between Muslims and Christians
HA: There is difference in contraception among Muslims and Christians

20. . Literature review
20
• Review what is known about the research issue
• Start from global level (in similar socio-cultural context), Sub-Saharan
African Level, National and Study area level
• It is advisable that your references should be from reputable sources
• Scientific journals (impact factor/Publication year)
• Government policy documents
• Gray literatures employing sound methodologies

21. 3. Literature review (cont’d)
21
• You can apply systematic literature review in which case you need
• At least two persons (in most cases)
• Criteria to select literature
• Study design (RCT, experimental, Observation)
• Population covered and size
• Year of Publication
• Type of source (Published/Gray)
• Abstraction form: Retrieve available info on sample size and OR (CIs)

22. 3. Literature review (cont’d)
22
• State who is affected (population group), how it affects (transmission, social
stratification, culture) and why are they affected (policy, culture, intervention)
• Population (young /RH group/ Old)
• Culture (norms/ attitudes)
• New programs (HEP, etc)

23. 23
• Understand how other researchers did the work
• Refer to the study population
• Socio-cultural context
• Methods employed (give emphasis)
 Summarize what you reviewed in just one or two paragraphs
 Conclude the section by the gap you identified to fill

24. 24
Author(s
)
Journal,
Year
Subject/
Key
words
Sample Methodo
logy
Statistic
al
Method
Main
Findings
Finding
Relevant
to My
Research
Question

25. Objectives of the research
25
• This is a very important and pivotal section and everything else in the
study is centered around it
• The objective of the proposed study should be stated very clearly
• The objective stated should be specific, achievable and measurable
(SMART)
• Too many objectives to be avoided
• Even just one clearly stated relevant objective for a study would be
good enough
• If there is more than one objective the objectives can be presented in
the appropriate order of importance

26. Methods and Materials/Subjects
26
.Methodology should be short about three to five pages
Research methodology is a way to
systematically solve the research problem.
It may be understood as a science of studying how research is done scientifically

27. 27
• It is necessary for the researcher to know not only the
research methods/techniques but also the methodology.
Researchers not only need to know how to develop certain
indices or tests and how to calculate the mean, the mode, the
median or the standard deviation or chi-square etc.,
. It is essential to discuss procedures clearly and completely
with considerable amount of details

28. 28
• Study design
• Study population / Sampling specifications
• Sample size needed
• Instrumentation
• Specific procedures

29. Study design
29
Definition: A study design is a specific plan or protocol for conducting
the study, which allows the investigator to translate the conceptual
hypothesis into an operational one.

30. 30
• The study design should be clearly
stated
• The study design to be used should be appropriate for achieving the
objective of the study

31. 31
Study population / Sample specifications
• It is important to describe which would be
the study population
• How study subjects would be selected,
randomization process and other details
should be given

32. 32
Sample size
It is important to mention in the protocol what
would be the minimum sample required and how
it is arrived

33. 33
Determination of sample size is a
bargain between precision and the
price (Resources & expenses involved

34. 34
Description of process
• Proposal should include the details of all process
to be adopted in the study
• How exposures, outcome variables and other
variables are going to be measured should be described in detail
• A brief description of how the data will be processed
and use of statistical package if any should be given
• What statistical tests of significance would be used?

35. Research ethics
35
• Research ethics: involves the application of
• fundamental ethical principles to a variety of topics involving scientific
research.
• These include the design and implementation of research involving
human experimentation, animal experimentation, various aspects of
academic scandal, including scientific misconduct (such as fraud,
fabrication of data and plagiarism)

36. Principles
36
• The basic ethical principles: are those genera judgments that serve as
a basic justification for ethical evaluations of human actions.
• They are considered universal regardless of geographic, economic,
legal and political boundaries.
• Researchers are obliged to assure that these principles are followed
while conducting research involving human participants.

37. 37
• Objectives ethical principles
• 1. Safeguard the study participants from any harm related to
research ,
• 2. Assure that individual benefit and civil rights are being respected.

38. Ethical Principles
38
• Autonomy : Respect for persons autonomy the right to govern oneself
/Informed consent:
• Beneficence: the act of doing good
• Non- malfeasance: not doing harm
• Justice: fairness or moral rightness
. confidentiality
(Based on Belmont Report, 1979)

39. 39
• Research Ethics Committee
• Evaluates Research Proposals Based on Criteria
• Approves or disapproves the research
Finally after you wrote your proposal you must have to get permission
letter from Research Ethics Committee of the university to conduct
the practical part of you research.

40. Time Frame & Work Schedule
40
The proposal should include the sequence of tasks to be performed,
the anticipated length of time required for its completion and
the personnel required

41. Time Frame & Work Schedule contd
41
• It can be presented in tabular or graphic form (Gantt chart)
• Flow charts and other diagrams are often
useful for highlighting the sequencing and
interrelationship of different activities in the
study

42. 42
Major activities 2012 2013
Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar April May
Topic selection and literature
review
Writing of the first draft
proposal
Submit final proposal
and secure ethical
clearance
Identify research
assistance and training
data collectors
Conduct pilot study
data Collection
Data Processing &
Analyzing
Submission of the first
draft thesis
Submission of the final
thesis
Defence presentation
Publishing and discuss
with managers for
action plan

43. Budget
43
• The budget translates project activities
into monetary terms
• It is a statement of how much money will
be required to accomplish the various tasks

44. 44
Major items
• Salary for staff
• Travel
• Purchase of equipment
• Printing / Xeroxing
• Consultancy charges
• Institutional overheads

45. 45
Budget Category Unit cost Multiplying factor Total cost (Birr)
1. Personnel (qualification) NoXdaysXCost/day
Principal Investigator 70.00(BSC) 1X30 X 70.00 2100.00
Supervisors 70.00(BSC) 1X20X70.00 1400.00
Nurse counselors who are working in
ART unit in the Hospital
58.00 3X20X58.00 3480.00
One Health officer for in depth interview 58.00 1 X5 X58 290
Training(Nurses) 58.00 3X2X58.00 348.00
Training(Supervisors) 70.00 2X2X70.00 280.00
Sub Total 7898.00
2. Supplies and Equipment Cost per item Item X Cost/item
Questionnaire duplication 1.00 birr/page 785 X1.00 X10 7850.00
Printing paper (pack) 100.00 20X100.00 2000.00
Printing 3.00birr/page 800X3.00 2400.00
Binding 20.00birr 10X20.00 200.00
Pencil 1.00 15X1.00 15.00
Eraser 5.00 15X5.00 75.00
Pen 3.00 15X3.00 45.00
Sharper 7.00 15X7.00 105.00
Note book 15.00 15X15.00 225.00
Bag 450.00 1X450.00 450.00
CD-R 30.00 4X30.00 120.00
Tape recorder 300.00 1X300.00 300.00
Cassette 15.00 15.00X4 60.00
Sub Total 13845.00
3.
4.
Transport cost
Accommodations
60.00birr/ trip
80.00birr/day
60X2 X20
80X20
2400.00
1600.00
Grand Total 25,743.00ETB

46. Reference
46
• Put all references that you used in writing your proposal at the end
accordingly
• In biomedical research most of the time Vancouver style of writing a
reference is used

47. Dummy Tables
47
• This are empty tables that will be included in your report but
figures/values are not yet computed.
• Variables and their categories are portrayed.
• Numbers and figures will be filled after the data is analyzed
• They will inform us on how we wanted to present our data (tabulation
plan)

48. Example: Frequency distribution
48
• Variable Number (#) Percent(%)
• Age
• 15-24
• 25-34
• 35-44
• 45 and over
• Sex
• Male
• Female
• Marital status
• Single
• Married
• Divorced
• Widowed
• Separated

49. 2. The implementation stage
49
• The second phase is field work phase
• Resources are organized and managed (time, personnel, money and
others).
• Collect raw data
• Create template in to software and inter raw data
• Epi info/ ipedat/ spss
• Recode your questioner
• Only in 8-10 characteristics
• Example marital status= marstat
Educational level =educ

50. 50
• Analysis
simple frequency, cross tab, chi-square ,linear and logistic regression
• and analyzed by using SSPSS version 16,17,20 or 21 statistical packages.
Both the descriptive and Bivariate /multivariate logistic regression analysis
will be performed.
• Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval (CI) and p-value<0.05 is taken as
statistically significant.
Start report writing

51. 51

52. 52
• Assignment
• Select any topic you like and develop proposal which contain 12-15
pages
• NB copping from any source is strictly forbidden !!!!!