Methodical Approach in Research Proposal Writing Process

1. PPA 501 – Analytical Methods in Administration Lecture 2c – The Research Proposal

2. Outline of Proposal • Abstract or Executive Summary • Introduction – tell them what your going to tell them and why. • Statement of the problem. • Literature review – what have other authors said about the topic? • Study objectives – what do you expect to determine? • Methodology – How are you going to conduct the study? • References or Bibliography

3. Abstract or Executive Summary • Brief summary of the whole proposal. • Abstracts range from 100 to 300 words. • Executive summary, either narrative or bullet points, should not exceed one page. • Both should outline the proposed research project and present a brief statement of the research objectives and the methods proposed for accomplishing them.

4. Introduction • Where the author sets the scene: the who, what, where, and why of study. • A good introduction can provide a road map for the author. • Sections: • A statement (one sentence) of the research problem. • A reason for why the study is worth doing. • A brief description of the major issues or problems to be addressed. • If quantitative, a statement of the hypotheses; if qualitative, a statement of theory (if any). • Limitations expected and definitions of key concepts. • [Literature review, although it is usually a separate section].

5. Literature Review • An detailed analysis and summary of prior research on the topic. • Involves reading and analyzing published material in books, professional and academic journals, government documents, and other sources. • The focus should be the key ideas that may function as leads for further investigation. • Your review should be organized by ideas and concepts, not by article. • Functions of a literature review. • Demonstrates knowledge of the problem and its theory. • Demonstrates ability to critically analyze the literature. • Shows knowledge of issues surrounding the problem. • Indicates ability to integrate and synthesize information. • Provides new insights and new models • Helps avoid reinventing the wheel. • Gives credit to previous researchers on the subject. • Helps convince readers that the research will make a significant contribution.

6. Study Objectives • Study objectives usually begin with a statement of the problem, a discussion of the need for the project, and the questions that the study is designed to answer. • The objectives are statements of what you expect to determine from the findings.

7. Methodology • Choose the strategy that provides the most cost-effective way of gathering the information, and the strategy that produces the best possible answer to the research question. • Three broad classes of research strategies. • Qualitative • Quantitative • Combined

8. Methodology • Are you doing primary or secondary analysis. • If primary, an effective research plan (or design) requires decisions on • Research approaches; • Data sources; • Data-gathering instruments; • Sampling plan; and • Methods of contacting study subjects. • If secondary, what sources are you using and how will analyze that information?

9. References or Bibliography • The research proposal must include detailed bibliographic data for every source addressed in preparing for and writing the proposal. • The bibliography may also include a list of all the resources the researcher plans to investigate during the subsequent research. • Primary – first-hand data. • Secondary – conducted by other researchers. • Use American Psychological Association, 5th Ed., for all PPA projects.