sciencetic report

1. Writing Methodology Section
in Research Proposal
Kamarul Imran Musa
MD (USM), M Community Med (USM), PhD (Lancaster)
Member, Biro Latihan, PPPKAM

2. A bit of myself
• Profesor VK7 (Epidemiologi Perubatan & Biostatistik), PP Sains Perubatan, USM
• Penyelaras Penyelidikan, Kampus Kesihatan dan IPPT
• Penyelaras, Unit Sains Kesihatan Digital, PP Sains Perubatan
• Ketua, Kluster Penyelidikan Kesihatan dan Profession Digital , PP Sains Perubatan
• Profesor Madya Adjunct (Pusat Pengajian Sains Perubatan dan Kehidupan, Universiti
Sunway)
• Pakar Perubatan Kesihatan Awam (NSR: 135728)
• Felo, American College of Epidemiology (FACE)
• Ahli Panel Penilai (2023-2028), Program Kepakaran Perubatan, Majlis Perubatan
Malaysia (MMC)

3. Contents
MOTIVATION
FOR WRITING A
RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
MOTIVATIONS
FOR WRITING
THE
METHODOLOG
Y SECTION
GENERAL
STRUCTURE OF
METHODOLOGY
SECTION
STRUCTURE
FOR
QUALITATIVE
STUDY
EXPERIENCE AS
A PANEL

4. Motivations
• Present Evidence of Thorough Research:
• A research proposal demonstrates that you have
thoroughly considered your research topic and have a
clear plan for investigation.
• It provides evidence that you are well-prepared to
undertake the research.
• To Secure Funding:
• Academics often write research proposals to seek
funding for their projects.

5. • To Get Approval:
• If you’re a student, writing a research proposal may be required
as part of a grad school application or before starting your thesis
or dissertation.
• It helps convince your educational institution or supervisor that
your research is worth pursuing.
• To Formulate a Plan:
• A research proposal outlines the steps you’ll take to conduct
your research.
• It forces you to think through the methodology, data collection,
and analysis, ensuring a well-structured approach.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

6. • To Generate Ideas:
• The process of writing a
proposal encourages you to
explore different angles,
consider alternatives, and
refine your research question.
• It sparks creativity and helps
you generate new ideas.

7. Motivations
• Methodology is critically important
in research proposal writing.
• The methodology section outlines
the approach or methods that will
be used to conduct the research.
• It provides a detailed description
of how the research will be carried
out, including the techniques,
procedures, and tools that will be
utilised.

8. • Validity and Reliability:
• A well-defined methodology ensures that the research findings are
valid and reliable. It outlines the steps that will be taken to collect
and analyze data in a systematic and rigorous manner, minimizing
bias and errors.
• Replicability:
• A clear methodology allows other researchers to replicate the study,
verifying the findings and building upon the research. Transparency
in the methodology enhances the credibility of the research.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY

9. • Alignment with Objectives:
• The methodology should be aligned with the
research objectives and questions.
• It should demonstrate how the chosen methods
will address the research problem and contribute
to knowledge in the field.
• Ethical Considerations:
• The methodology section should address ethical
considerations such as informed consent,
confidentiality, and data protection.
• It should demonstrate that the research will be
conducted ethically and with respect for the
rights and well-being of participants.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

10. • Feasibility:
• The methodology should be feasible given the resources,
time constraints, and logistical considerations of the
research project. It should demonstrate that the proposed
methods are practical and can be implemented within the
available constraints.
• Justification:
• The methodology section should justify why the chosen
methods are appropriate for addressing the research
questions. It should discuss the strengths and limitations
of the chosen approach and why alternative methods
were not selected.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

11. Structures
• Introduction to Methodology:
• Provide a brief overview of the methodology section
• Outlining the key approaches and methods that will be
used to address the research questions or objectives.
• Research Design:
• Describe the overall research design, including the
overarching strategy or approach that will be employed
• Justify why the chosen research design is appropriate for
the research questions and objectives.
This Photo by Unknown
Author is licensed under CC
BY-NC

12. • Data Collection Methods:
• Describe the specific methods that will be used to collect data.
This may include techniques such as surveys, interviews,
observations, experiments, archival research, or document
analysis.
• Provide details on how participants will be recruited or selected,
the sampling strategy (if applicable), and any
inclusion/exclusion criteria.
• Data Analysis Methods:
• Outline the procedures that will be used to analyze the collected
data. This may involve statistical techniques, qualitative analysis
methods, or a combination of both.
• Describe how the data will be processed, coded, and
interpreted to address the research questions or test
hypotheses.

13. • Validity and Reliability:
• Discuss measures that will be taken to ensure the validity and
reliability of the data. This may include pilot testing, inter-rater
reliability checks, triangulation of data sources, or validity checks
for instruments.
• Ethical Considerations:
• Describe any ethical considerations related to the research, such
as informed consent, confidentiality, privacy, and potential risks
to participants.
• Explain how ethical guidelines and regulations will be followed to
protect the rights and well-being of participants.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC
BY-SA

14. • Limitations:
• Acknowledge any limitations or
constraints associated with the chosen
methodology, such as sample size
limitations, access to resources, or
potential biases.
• Milestone
• Gantt chart

15. Tips: Rubric
Objectives Pop/Sample Data
Source
Data
collection
Variables Assumptions Analysis Limitations
• A rubric
• Objectives and corresponding methods
• Examples of objectives
• Estimate prevalences of premature CVD in Asian using SR from 2000 to 2020
• Describe risk factors for premature CVD among Malaysian population using
population-based data from 2000 to 2020
• Estimate relationship of RF and premature CVD using GAM among Malaysian
population-based data from 2000 to 2020

16. https://www.teamgantt.com/blog/the-how-and-why-of-
using-milestones-in-your-project-plan

17. Milestone
• Develop the 1st draft of SR paper(end
of Feb 2025)
• Obtain ethical approval (end of April
2025)
• Complete prelim analysis of
premature CVD (end of June 2025)
• Develop models of risk factors for
premature CVD (end of Aug 2025)
• Submit paper for modelling of CVD
premature mortality (end of Dec
2025)
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA

18. Gantt chart
Jan-Feb Mac-Apr May-June July-Aug Sept-Oct Nov-Dec
Research
proposal
SR analysis
Preliminary
analysis
Modelling
Drafting
paper

19. Fancier Gantt Chart
Free Online Gantt Chart Software

20. Structures for
qualitative study
• Introduction to Qualitative Methodology:
• Explain why a qualitative approach is
appropriate for addressing the research aims,
such as exploring complex phenomena,
understanding social processes, or gaining
insights into subjective experiences.
• Research Design:
• Describe the overall research design, such as
phenomenology, grounded theory,
ethnography, case study, or narrative inquiry.
• Justify the chosen research design based on
its suitability for the research questions,
context, and objectives.

21. • Sampling Strategy:
• Describe the criteria and procedures
for selecting participants or cases.
• Explain the rationale behind the
sampling strategy, such as purposeful
sampling, snowball sampling, or
theoretical sampling.
• Data Collection Methods:
• Detail the methods used to collect
qualitative data, such as interviews,
focus groups, participant observation,
or document analysis.
• Explain how data will be collected in
naturalistic settings and the role of
the researcher in data collection.
• Provide information on any tools,
guides, or protocols used during data
collection.

22. • Data Analysis Methods:
• Describe the approach to analyzing qualitative data, such as
thematic analysis, content analysis, narrative analysis, or
discourse analysis.
• Explain the steps involved in data analysis, including coding,
categorization, and interpretation.
• Validity and Reliability:
• Discuss strategies for ensuring the validity and reliability of
qualitative findings, such as prolonged engagement,
triangulation, or reflexivity.
• Address issues related to researcher bias, subjectivity, and
interpretation.
• Explain how credibility, transferability, dependability, and
confirmability will be established.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under
CC BY-SA-NC

23. • Ethical Considerations:
• Describe ethical considerations relevant to the
study, such as informed consent, confidentiality,
anonymity, and respect for participants' rights.
• Explain how ethical guidelines and protocols will be
followed to protect participants and ensure ethical
conduct throughout the research process.
• Reflexivity:
• Reflect on the researcher's role, positionality, and
biases in the study.
• Describe strategies for maintaining reflexivity and
minimizing the impact of researcher bias on the
study findings.
• Limitations:
• Acknowledge any limitations or challenges
associated with the qualitative methodology, such
as potential for subjectivity, generalizability, or
resource constraints.

24. Common weaknesses
in proposal
• Lack of Clarity or Detail:
• One of the most common weaknesses is a lack of
clarity or detail in describing the methodology. If the
methodology is not clearly explained, reviewers may
struggle to understand
• Inadequate Justification of Methods:
• Another weakness is insufficient justification for the
chosen research methods.
• Sampling Issues:
• Weaknesses related to sampling can include
inadequate sample size justification, lack of
representativeness, or inappropriate sampling
methods.

25. • Bias and Confounding:
• Failure to address potential sources of bias and
confounding can weaken the methodology section.
Researchers should discuss how they will minimize
bias in study design, data collection, and analysis.
• They should also consider potential confounding
variables and describe strategies for controlling or
adjusting for them.
• Limited Generalizability:
• Weaknesses related to generalizability occur when the
sample or study population is not representative of the
target population, or when the findings cannot be
generalized beyond the study sample. Researchers
should carefully consider the external validity of their
study and discuss the limitations of generalizability.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-
SA
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC
BY-SA-NC

26. • Ethical Considerations:
• Ethical weaknesses may include inadequate
protection of human subjects, lack of informed
consent procedures, or failure to address potential
risks to participants.
• Insufficient Attention to Validity and Reliability:
• Weaknesses related to validity and reliability occur
when researchers fail to address threats to the internal
validity of the study or do not adequately consider the
reliability of their measures.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under
CC BY
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA-NC

27. Research Proposal for PPPKAM Grant
• Study Title
• Field of Study
• Background / Introduction
• Justification/rationale
• Research questions
• Research Objectives
• General objective
• Specific objectives
• Methods
• Ethical considerations
• Expected outputs
Link : Latest PPPKAM RESEARCH GRANT 2024/2025.docx -
Google Docs

28. Research Proposal for PPPKAM Grant
• Expected outcomes
• Project timeline
• Budget
• RM10,000
• RM5000
• References
• Appendices

29. Experience as a panel, I have found that some
• Not motivated
• Not convincing
• Lack of details
• Too much details
• Not following format
• Lack rigour
• Not your area of expertise
• Too time consuming
• Too people consuming
• Characters
• Technicalities
• Scholarly
• Resources

30. Thank you
Apologies for shameless promotion
• Email : drkamarul@usm.my
• Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/drkim29
• Twitter : kamarul_imran
This Photo by Unknown Author is
licensed under CC BY-SA

31. Acknowledgements
• Persatuan Pakar Perubatan Kesihatan Awam, Malaysia