![SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
• Why this study is significant?
• Why do it now?
• What will it contribute to the existing research
literature?
• What implications your findings may have?
• Who will benefit from it?
[Scholarly acceptability]](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/anoverviewofaresearchproposal-200622151622/85/An-overview-of-a-research-proposal-13-320.jpg)
An overview of a research proposal
- 1. ABUBAKAR SARANGANI MAMA Head, IT Services Division University Library AN OVERVIEW OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
- 2. OUTLINE • Definitions • Main Elements of a Research Proposal • Components • Potential sources of research problems • Functions of the Statement of the problem • The purpose statement • Significance of the study • Literature review • Definition of terms • Research methods and procedures
- 3. ESSENTIAL CHARACTERISTIC OF A RESEARCHER
- 4. SOME BASIC IDEAS Question Doubt Confidence Four Questions What data / evidence do I need? What will be the source of that data / evidence? How will I collect that data / evidence? How will I analyze that data / evidence?
- 5. RESEARCH PROPOSAL – DEFINITIONS - 1 “… the meaning of proposal … suggests looking forward, to what the researcher plans to do in the future. … The proposal lays out the problem for research, describes exactly how the research will be conducted, and outlines in precise detail the resources – both factual and instrumental – the researcher will use to achieve the desired results.” Leedy & Omrod, Practical Research. 8th ed, p. 117, 115.
- 6. RESEARCH PROPOSAL – DEFINITIONS - 2 “A research proposal is a document that describes the essential features of a study to be conducted in the future, as well as the strategy whereby the inquiry may be logically and successfully accomplished.” Busha & Harter, Research Methods in Librarianship, p. 343.
- 7. RESEARCH PROPOSAL - DEFINITIONS - 3 “The academic research proposal is a structured presentation of what you plan to do in research and how you plan to do it.” Smith, p. 34
- 8. RESEARCH PROPOSAL – MAIN ELEMENTS • An outline of the research problem • A statement of the significance of the problem • A review of related studies • A discussion of the procedures • Methods for data collection and analysis • A note about the study’s limitations
- 9. COMPONENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL • Title of the proposal • Background of the problem • Statement of the problem • Research objectives, questions, hypotheses • Significance of the study • Review of related literature • Definition of terms • Delimitations and limitations • Research methods and procedures • Expected results • Preliminary working bibliography
- 10. POTENTIAL SOURCES OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS • Scanning and reading published and unpublished research • Networking or sharing ideas and information with colleagues • Attempting to deal with actual problems (Economics of information, Bibliotherapy, etc.)
- 11. FUNCTIONS OF THE STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM • Establishes the existence of a unique problem • Relates the problem to its general backgrounds/experiences • Suggests the benefits to be derived from the study • Justifies the utility, significance, or interest inherent in the pursuit of the problems
- 12. WRITING A PURPOSE STATEMENT - GUIDELINES • Begin with signaling words such as “the purpose or intent of” • Indicate the overall intent of the study such as “the intent is to examine the role of school teacher in promoting reading habit” • Indicate the research design and strategy such as survey, experiment, etc. • Identify the independent and / or dependent variables • Use words that connect the variables such as “the relationship between” or “the comparison of” two or more variables • Position or order the variables from left to right in purpose statement with independent variable followed by the dependent variable
- 13. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY • Why this study is significant? • Why do it now? • What will it contribute to the existing research literature? • What implications your findings may have? • Who will benefit from it? [Scholarly acceptability]
- 14. PURPOSES OF LITERATURE REVIEW - 1 • Familiarity with the field of inquiry • Generation of research questions or hypotheses for further studies • Knowledge of the methodologies common to the field • Can reveal sources of data that you may not have known existed • To avoid or solve problems others have encountered in their research (Limitations)
- 15. DEFINITION OF TERMS • Operational definition of all the major concepts to be employed in the study • Should cover all the essential terms in the Statement of the Problem and the Research Objectives, Questions, Hypotheses • These definitions will establish the basis for the objective tests for the outcomes of the proposed study
- 16. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES – MAIN DECISIONS • Method • Population / Sample to be studied • Instrumentation • Data collection procedures • Data analysis
- 17. SELECTING THE RESEARCH DESIGN • Descriptive design • Quasi-experimental design • Non-experimental design • Historical design
- 18. FURTHER READINGS 1. Creswell, J. W. (2009). Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE, p. 97–127. 2. Hernon, P. (2007). Editorial: what is problem statement? Library & Information Science Research, 29, 307−309. 3. Hernon, P., & Metoyer-Duran, C. (1993). Problem statements: An exploratory study of their function, significance, and form. Library & Information Science Research, 15, 71−92. 4. Metoyer-Duran, C., & Hernon, P. (1994). Problem statements in research proposals and published research: A case study of researchers' viewpoints. Library & Information Science Research, 16, 105−118. 5. Nitecki, D. A. (2010). Guest editorial: Finalizing a research paper—findings through conclusion. Library & Information Science Research, 32, 1−3. 6. Sproull, N. L. (1988). Handbook of research methods: A guide for practitioners and students in the social sciences. London: Scarecrow Press, p. 140. 7. Teddlie, C., & Tashakkori, A. (2009). Foundations of Mixed Methods Research : Integrating Quantitative and Qualitative Approaches in the Social and Behavioral Sciences. Los Angeles, CA: SAGE, p. 120–124.