research proposal writing tips

1. WHAT IS A RESEARCH
PROJECT PROPOSAL (WINNING
TYPE)?
- Dr S.M. Virmani

2. Key wordsKey words
ResearchResearch
The systematic investigation into and study
of materials (e.g. natural, human, economic) and
sources (e.g. biotic) in order to establish facts
and reach new conclusions : as an example we
are fighting hunger by raising agricultural
productivity by agronomic research.
Research also is used to mean research and
development (R & D), which denotes work
directed towards the innovation, introduction and
improvements of products and processes.

3. Research has a continuum
Basic applied, basic-applied-verification-
extension .
Project
An individual or collaborative research that
is carefully planned and designed to achieve a
particular set of aims (outputs)
Proposal
A plan or suggestion, especially a formal or
written one, put forward for consideration or
discussion by others (donors). The proposal has
a format.

4.  International : Involving several countries, states,
or agro-ecozones (meta project/proposal)
 Regional : Involving a region or agro-ecozones
(mega project/proposal)
 Sub-regional : Involving a sub-region or agro-
ecozone (mesa projects/proposal)
 Local : Involving a localized region or sub-
agroecozone (micro project/proposal)
SCALE OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Contd….

5.  Often times, however, projects are categorized or
scaled on the basis of allocation of funds. This is
not a correct method of scaling research projects.
The baseline date needs are very different for
proposals of different scales. As an example a 1 : 5
million scale soils map may be quite adequate for
international or regional research projects, or 1
: 1 million scale map for sub-regional research
project, but for a local research project, 1 :
10,000 or better scale of soils mapping is
needed to propose sustainable farming systems.

6. SCIENTIFIC (RESEARCH) METHOD - (1)
 A method of procedure that has
characterized natural science research
(since the 17th century). It consists of
setting up of hypothesis, systematic
observations, measurements on experiments
or surveys and the formulation of
conclusions. Finally, it involves testing of
the hypothesis and its modification. Verified
over a period of time or at a large number
of locations, a hypothesis may end-up as a
theory or a principle or set of principles.

7. SCIENTIFIC (RESEARCH) METHOD - (2)
 Under the same or similar boundary
conditions, the scientific method
states that “the results of an
experiment must be replicative” and
amenable to simulation or systems
modeling”.

8. SCIENTIFIC (RESEARCH) METHOD - (3)
 Boundary conditions in agricultural sciences are
generally referred to as ‘minimum data-sets’.
These include amongst other observations such
measurements/recordings as : latitude,
longitude, elevation; cultivar/s characters (e.g.
heat unit requirement); soil type and its water-
holding and nutrient’s status; date of planting;
water/rainfall regime; temperature, evaporation
and moisture-deficits during crop growing
season; and date of harvest(s).

9. THE ROLE OF RESEARCH
(PROJECT PROPOSAL)
The role (and aims) of scientific research (in
the context of a project) must meet one or all of
the following objectives :
Re-building : It is the process of creating or
developing typically an improved system or
situation over a period of time (as an example, the
rice-wheat production system prevalent in the
Indo-Gangetic plains of Pakistan, India, Nepal,
Bangladesh and China). The project must build on
the existing knowledge/know-how.
Contd….

10. Repairing :
It means forming new ideas or theory
containing various conceptual elements, by
bringing together various conceptual elements,
typically over a period of time to repair
degraded systems. It should be based on
empirical knowledge/know how observed over a
period of time (e.g. IPM/INM research or the
reconstruction of salt-affected or eroded lands).
Contd….

11. Replacing :
It means to put an agro-ecosystem back
to a sustainable productive position over a
period of time. As an example, replacing rainy
season fallow-sorghum or wheat production
system in central India with soybean-wheat or
soybean/pigeonpea production system in semi-
arid Vertisols signifies a replacement system.

12. SUMMARY
What then is a winning research project proposal?
 It should propose a systematic investigation targeted
to a specified slot on the R/D continuum.
 The scale of application domain must be clearly
defined;
 The scientific research methodology should be
detailed in the project proposal;
 The role and the aims of research project should be
described upfront in terms of the utilization of the new
knowledge towards sustainable production system.
Contd….

13.  A winning research project proposal is the one
that typically meets the donor’s objectives and
needs of the society at large; and finally.
 A research project proposal that will win a grant
would be innovative, it would explore new areas
of research, and would try to discover new
techniques/knowledge. The project results when
adopted on a large scale would make the world a
safer place to live and would aid in sustainable
development