Research Design and Implementation - Research Proposal

Research Design and Implementation - Research Proposal


A research proposal describes a plan for conducting and controlling a research project. While it has an important function as a summary of the major decisions in the research process, it is useful for a number of other reasons. Administratively it is the basis for a written agreement or contract between the manager and researcher, as well as a record of what was agreed. As such it provides a vehicle for reviewing important decisions. This helps ensure that all parties are still in agreement on the scope and purpose of the research, and it reduces later misunderstandings. Frequently proposals are used to make a choice among competing suppliers and to influence positively the decision to fund the proposed study. For these latter purposes, a proposal should be viewed as a persuasive device that demonstrates the researcher's grasp of the problem and ability to conduct the research and also highlights the benefits of the study.
Like other communications the structure and coverage of a proposal must be tailored to the situation. However, the following content outline has been used widely, as it ensures that likely questions will be anticipated.

Basic Contents of a Proposal
1. Executive summary

A brief overview of the contents of the proposal. It may be the only part read by some people, so it should be sufficient to give them a basic understanding of the proposal.



2. Purpose and Scope
A description of the management problem, the possible reasons for the problem, and the decision alternatives being studied.


3. Objectives

Defines the information to be obtained in terms of research questions to be answered. This information must be related explicitly to the management problem.



4. Research approach


Presents the important features of the research methods to be used, with justification of the strengths and limitations of the chosen method relative to the alternatives. All aspects of the research that might be elements of a contract should be discussed, such as sample size, quality control procedure, and data collection method. Details of questionnaire format, sample selection procedures, and so forth, should be confined to an appendix.

5. Time and cost estimates

This encompasses all negotiated aspects, including total fees, payments, provisions, treatment of contingencies such as the clients' decision to expand or cancel the study, and the schedule for submission of interim, draft, and final reports.

6. Appendices

Any technical matters of interest to a
small minority of readers should be put at the back end of the proposal.

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