Conducting Research and Writing Research Proposals

1. Conducting Research and Writing Research Proposals TECM 4180 Dr. Lam

2. Proposal Assignment • Hypothetical research study, project, or initiative- This means you do NOT actually have to conduct the research, complete the project, or implement the initiative. • Let’s take a look at the RFP

3. What we’ll cover today: • Basics of conducting research • Superstructure of a proposal • Analyzing three proposals

4. How Research fits into our “thinking” theme • We learned yesterday that all communication is persuasive • We also learned that “off the cuff” communication isn’t conducive to being persuasive • Therefore, much of the evidence we must provide has to be researched • We won’t actually perform formal research in this class, but I think it’s essential to start talking and thinking about it

5. What is research? "a systematic investigation, including research development, testing and evaluation, designed to develop or contribute to generalizableknowledge.”

6. Academic and workplace research • Similar in some ways: • Both are in response to a problem • Both provide results that lead to some kind of action • Both require data and analysis • Different in some ways • Workplace research is more time constrained • Workplace research often involves convenience samples • Workplace research usually results in a report, while academic research usually results in an academic publication

7. All research must do a few key things: • Address a compelling problem • Study a viable solution • Collect “data” • Use a credible method for collecting the data • Analyze data in a meaningful way • Present and discuss findings • Lead to action

8. “Informal” Research • Informal research happens all the time in the workplace • The key is determining what claims require research • Secondary key is determining where you’ll find that data/information

9. Proposals as a “rigid” genre • Proposals can be both difficult and “easy” to write • “Easy” because they often follow a rigid superstructure • Difficult because persuading people is hard

10. Proposal Superstructure

11. Readers’ thought process • Readers learn generally what you want to do (Intro) • Readers are persuaded there is a problem, need, or goal, that is important to them (problem) • Readers are persuaded the proposed action will be effective in solving the problem, meeting the need, or achieving the goal that they now agree is important (Objectives, solution) • Readers are persuaded you can plan and manage the solution (Method, resources, schedule, qualifications, and management) • Readers are persuaded the cost is reasonable in light of the benefits (Costs)

12. What, then, is the function of a research proposal? • To persuade your reader (could be monetary, could be time release, etc.) • To protect yourself

13. What readers and/or funding agencies look for in quality research? • Is the problem worth studying? • Is the method sound? • Do you have a feasible plan? • Is the outcome reasonable and/or significant?

14. Is the problem worth studying? • What are the consequences for not studying this? • Economic, social, political, etc. • What are the benefits from studying this? • Once you’ve established a problem, you must define research objectives.

15. Is the method sound? • What data are you collecting? • Can the data actually provide the solution you claim? • Are your sources of data credible? • Is the way in which you collect your data unbiased? • What makes your method the “right” method?

16. Is the outcome reasonable and/or significant? • Be careful not to overstate outcomes • Discuss outcomes in terms of immediate and future outcomes • Discuss outcomes in relation to broader impact

17. Do you have a feasible plan? • Time • Money • Resources • Specific • Are you qualified to carry out this research?

18. Exercise • Read the following proposals and rank in order of best to worst.