How to....

How to write a research proposal

How to write a research proposal

M Annersten,* R Wredling

Introduction
An attractively prepared research Abstract
proposal is crucial for achieving A structured written research proposal is a necessary requirement when making an
application for research funding or applying to an ethics committee for approval of a
sufficient resources to conduct a
research project. A proposal is built up in sections of theoretical background; aim
successful project or study. Funding and research questions to be answered; a description and justification of the method
agencies that sponsor research use a chosen to achieve the answer; awareness of the ethical implications of the research;
proposal as the basis for making experience and qualifications of the team members to perform the intended study; a
their funding decisions. Some budget and a timetable.
This paper describes the common steps taken to prepare a written
agencies request a two-step proposal;
proposal as attractively as possible to achieve funding.
the first is a brief plan of the project, Eur Diabetes Nursing 2006; 3(2): 102-105.
and, when accepted, a more detailed
proposal has to be submitted. Key words
Funding agencies often supply an Research proposal; methodology; ethics committee; funding; budget
application kit that includes the
forms to be completed Synopsis address is ordinarily identified early
and a specific format A proposal often begins with a in the proposal and should be stated
for organising the summarised overview of the in such a way that its importance is
content of the proposed research project. It should apparent to the reviewer, although
proposal.1 The ethics not be more than one full page the researcher should not promise
committee requires a stating the study objectives, sample more than can
research plan to be able and size, methods to be used, be produced.2-4
to judge whether the duration and evaluation methods. The background should demon-
intended project strate the researcher's command of
is ethically acceptable.2 Background to the problem current knowledge in the field,
There is considerable similarity in In the background section of the forming a logical reason ending in the
the type of information that is proposal, the researcher should make research question. A broad and
expected in research proposals, and the reader aware of what has already complex problem is unlikely to be
in this article we will describe several been done and what is already solvable or manageable and is likely
of these important aspects of writing known in the area. A description of to be deemed unethical to conduct. If
a research proposal. how the literature search and relevant, include the possible the- ory
assessment has been performed is applicable in the field so that the
important, as the result should be intended study can be put into a
Authors what the intended research is built research context. Whenever the
M Annersten, RN, MNsc, upon and provide justification for theoretical backgrounds of the
Diabetes Nurse Specialist,
the pres- ent study. It should study, existing knowledge, or the
Öresund Diabetes Team AB,
Ideon Science Park, strengthen the author's argument researcher's experience permit an
Scheelevägen 17, concerning the significance of the explicit prediction of outcomes,
SE 223 70 Lund, Sweden study, and point out how the these predictions should be included
R Wredling, RN, Professor, proposed research will augment that in the proposal.
Department of Nursing Karolinska
knowledge and why this is
Institutet and Danderyd University
Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden important. Not all studies result in Significance of the problem
an immediate product or change of The proposal must clearly describe
*Correspondence to: praxis, but may constitute a little how the proposed research will
M Annersten, brick in the building of something make a contribution to existing
Öresund Diabetes Team AB, Ideon
bigger, which hopefully is supported knowledge and why it is important.
Science Park, Scheelevägen 17,
SE 223 70 Lund, Sweden by the funding agency. The problem Funding bodies are interested in
Tel: +46 46 286 38 50 that the intended research will developing knowledge based in
e-mail: magdalena.annersten@mail.com particular areas and not in the
Received: 2 November 2005
Accepted in revised form:
18 May 2006
102 EDN Autumn 2006 Vol. 3 No. 2 Copyright © 2006 FEND. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
 How to....
How to write a research proposal

researcher's personal journey or Methods Ethical awareness

general curiosity. The proposal The explanation of the intended Any ethical implications of the study
should indicate the expected research methods should be should be described and an expla-
generalisability of the research, its sufficiently thorough to ensure that nation as to how they will be han-
contribution to theory, possible the reader will have no doubt about dled should be given because the
applications or consequences of the how the research objectives will be integrity of the study participant
knowledge to be gained, and its addressed. The rationale for the (patient or healthy volunteer) must be
potential of improving nursing method chosen must also be made protected at all times. This is
practice and patient care. apparent. First, the study design described in the Declaration of
should be presented; descriptive, Helsinki and the Ethical Guidelines for
Objectives cross-sectional, longitudinal, or Nursing Research.6,7 The risk to the
Specific, achievable objectives randomised controlled trial. individual participating must not
provide the reader with clear criteria Second, a clear description of the exceed the expected beneficial
against which the proposed research sampling plan and the number of results, both in the case of the indi-
can be assessed, and this section participants to be included should vidual participant and the larger
should be kept short and clear. be provided; the number of group of participants.8 Participation
Statement of a research hypothesis participants should be justified sta- must be voluntary and consented to
or specific model to be tested is tistically, as should the method of only after accurate, detailed written
preferable as it can be defined as randomisation. In this section information is provided about the
true or false. The outcome variables describe the method of recruit- ment study's positive and negative impli-
should be clearly defined as primary of participants. If the method cations for the participant. Describe
and secondary objectives, measuring encompasses an experimental here how the participants are to be
the appropriate items. Complicated design, a statistical power analysis given information about the study
and numerous research objectives must be carried out to demonstrate and how informed consent will be
often lead to no result at all, and the ability of the research design to obtained. If there is an insurance
should be avoided. In exploratory or detect relationships between vari- policy covering any injury caused by
descrip- tive research, the ables. A power analysis determines the study procedure, it should be
formulation of hypotheses might not the minimum number of samples that mentioned here. A copy of the
be feasible, and in such cases, the need be included in order to achieve application to the ethics committee
objectives may be most conveniently a true difference between the groups. may be attached to the research
phrased as answerable questions. Third, a thorough methods proposal and a copy of the Patient
section should include a description Information Form and Informed
Research questions of the instruments to be used in the Consent Form should also be
Research questions help the reader study; for example question- naires, attached.
to identify which variables are going specific procedures such as
to be measured. First, the questions programmes for patient education, or Timeframe
should be relevant when judged in equipment. Copies of question- naires There never seems to be sufficient
relation to the introduction and the should accompany the pro- posal. time for the perfect study to be
objectives. Second, the questions Data collection and analytical conducted, but in order to facilitate
must be researchable and answerable strategies, such as data management the study to proceed, it is helpful to
using appropriate research methods. and method of interpretation to be state a realistic deadline for the com-
Thus, the approach suggested by the used after collection of data should pletion of the study, some deadlines
research questions adds something be described. Potential for the milestones of the study, such
new to the knowledge base. A system- methodological problems and as ethics committee submission
atic review of different research ques- intended strategies for dealing with deadline, and to make allowance for
tions is an important part of the plan- such problems need to be discussed in delays if the committee requests fur-
ning process. If this is carried out this section. ther information. Also state a dead-
carefully, time and money will be Finally, in order to ensure that line when data collection should be
saved in future and ensure that the the study is proceeding according to completed, when the report should be
study is sustainable and can be plan, the monitoring process to be finalised (an example of a time- line
performed within the given time- performed should is given in Table 1). This enables the
frame. be described.5 funding agency to judge the value of
the money requested for

EDN Autumn 2006 Vol. 3 No. 2 Copyright © 2006 FEND. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 103
How to....
How to write a research proposal

Task Calendar Month of Project

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24

Literature reading --
Formulating the research question -
Choice and development of research method -- --
Writing of protocol -
Ethics committee application -
Preparing data collection ------------
Data collection ------------
Data management -------------
Data analysis -----
Prepare report and publications -
Prepare data for archive

Table 1 Example of a timetable (adapted from Handbook for Clinical Investigators) 3

this particular study. They might ment, special documents or increased/overhead cost will
have an interest in getting certain records, or laboratories, will be be added to the budget sum.
information from the study before a available; for example, the project Currently (2005), Karolinska Insti-
certain date. may require a web site. This should tutet, Stockholm, charges 54.5% as
be described to reassure sponsors or overhead cost.
Study personnel advisers that the project will be able A well-conceived protocol
A study requires certain formal to proceed as planned. The greatly facilitates the preparation of
scientific skills in order for the willingness of the institution to the budget, which should be pre-
research to be carried out appro- which the researcher is affiliated to sented on a separate sheet in a table
priately. The formal skills and allocate space, equipment, services, format. If there are any inor- dinate
research experience in the area of the data and secretarial support should be difficulties in detailing financial
participating members of the team indicated. needs, there may be rea- son to
should be described here. The mix of suspect that the protocol is
researchers in the team and their Budget insufficiently developed. Funding for
experience with regards to the The funding requested must be research projects is becoming more
method(s) used should be described, justifiable in relation to the and more difficult to obtain and in
as well as the contribution the information to be derived from the Sweden, large studies of a multi-
researchers claim they will be able to study. The budget is judged in professional design, with research
make to certain parts of the study. relation to the kind of application questions raised by differ- ent
Communication within the study made, whether the project is long- professionals, claim priority.
group may be structured; mention at term or short-term, or an application
this point, if appropriate, the forms of for planning time. Include Conclusion
communication - web site, regular consumables, software, cost The written research proposal
telephone conferences, etc. The of shipping and postage, staff, represents the means for
researcher's suitability and other equipment, localities, reimburse- opening communication between
team members' competencies for ment to participants, medical inves- researchers and parties interested in
performing the study are typically tigations, laboratory analysis, time for supporting the conduct of research.
given major consideration in evaluat- analysing and presentation of the Those parties may be funding
ing the proposal. results, including travel expenses agencies, faculty advisors, or
and conference fees, and application institutional officers. An accepted
Facilities fees. If the study design implicates proposal is a two-way contract;
The proposal should document fasting visits (often com- mon in those accepting the proposal say that
the extent to which specialist facili- diabetes research), a nice breakfast 'We are willing to offer financial
ties and/or equipment required by the should be offered to the participants support as long as the investigation
project, such as access to physi- and an appropriate sum should be proceeds as proposed', and those
ological instrumentation, libraries, included in the budget. Finally, the writing the proposal are saying 'If
computers, data processing equip- institution's you will

104 EDN Autumn 2006 Vol. 3 No. 2 Copyright © 2006 FEND. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
 How to....
How to write a research proposal

offer support, then I will conduct the between the researcher and the Buckingham: Open University Press,
project as proposed'. agency. This might increase the 1999.
Finally, the proposal document opportunity for a successful 5. Directive 90/46/EC of the European
should be as attractive as possible. A application for the next study. Parliament and of the Council of 24
neat and pleasing appearance October 1995 on the Protection of
invites the reviewer to read the Conflict of interest: Individuals with Regard to the
proposal and suggests that care has None Processing of Personal Data and on
been taken in its preparation. The the Free Movement of Such Data.
http://www.cdt.org/privacy/eudi-
text should be as clear as possible as References
1. American Association of Diabetes rective/EU_Directive_.html
committees are made up of mem-
Educators Education and Research [Accessed 1 February 2006].
bers from different professional
Foundation. Application Form. 6. Declaration of Helsinki. http://
backgrounds. www.wma.net/e/policy/b3.htm
If the funding applied for is http://www.aadenet.org [Accessed 1
February 2006]. [Accessed 1 February 2006].
received, remember to express 7. International Council of Nurses.
2. Polit DF, Hungler BP. Nursing
gratitude after the study has been Research. Principles and Methods, 4th Ethical Guidelines for Nursing Research.
performed and the report has been edn. Pennsylvania: JB Lippincott Geneva: ICN, 2003.
written, by providing the funding Company, 1991. 8. ICH Topic E6: Guidelines for
agency with a copy of the report. At 3. Lemne C. Handbook for Clinical Good Clinical Practice. http://
the end of any published article, Investigators. Sweden, Lund: www.emea.eu.int/pdfs/human/ich/0
financial support should be Studentlitteratur, 1999. 13595en.pdf [Accessed 1 February
acknowledged in a format agreed 4. Bell J. Doing your Research Project. 2006].

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EDN Autumn 2006 Vol. 3 No. 2 Copyright © 2006 FEND. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. 105