HOW TO WRITE A RESEARCH PROPOSAL?

ABRIEF INTRODUCTION
 How to Write
Research Proposal?
Dr. Do Ngoc Kien
dongockien@ftu.edu.vn
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES:

• To produce a highly professional research

proposal
• To have a happier and more successful
research experience
RESEARCH PROCESS
A RESEACH PROPOSAL IS

• The key to successful research

• The heart of the research plan: The more through and clear the proposal, the clearer and
more complete the plan
WHY DO YOU NEED A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL?
• To convince other people that your research is worth spending scarce resources on
– How your research will make a difference to the world?
– Identifying a dilemma in existing theory which your research will help resolve
• To demonstrate expertise in a particular area of study
• To serve as a contract: State clearly what each party is expected to bring to the research,
how resources will be used and when the research should be completed.
• To serve as a planning tool
WHY DO YOU NEED A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL?
The main purpose of the research
proposal is to convince the reader, it is
important that you adopt a writing
style that is clear and professional
STARTING POINT:
LOOKING FOR RESEARCH QUESTION
• Observation of the world
• Theory: Different theories that explain the same phenomenon in different
way→ Design research questions which will help us to understand which
theory is more accurate
• Previous research: New research finding inspires new research questions
• Practical concerns
• Personal interest
ELEMENTS OF THE RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
• Tittle of the project: major focus of the research, but it should be no longer than necessary
• Problem indentification and explanation (Problem statement): Describe the problem being
addressed by the proposed research and provides the rationale for the proposed objectives
• Objectives & Research questions: Specify precisely what the proposed research project intends
to find out, discover or accomplish
• Literature Review: Summary review of the research literature that í relevant to the study being
proposed.
• Conceptual framework: A formal one is not a universal requirement, but anyone who attempts
to forego this step risk making potentially serious logical errors
• Methods and procedures
• References
 CHOOSING THE “BEST” TOPIC:

• Do you have access to the information needed to answer the question?

• Does your question have suitable theoretical background? (This is
important for degree purposes)
• How might answering the question advance understanding of the topic?
• How might answering on this question find direct or indirect
application
CHOOSING THE “BEST” TOPIC:

• How interesting is the question to you?

• Do you have the skills (or can you develop them) to find an answer to the
question
• Do you have the necessary time, financial support and equipment to find an
answer to the question
• Is the question suitably challenging to meet your study requirements?
• Avoid “value-judgement” in presenting your topic
– Wheat producers in EU are overpaid
– Wheat producers in EU are subsidized
SETTING THE LIMITS ON YOUR
RESEARCH
• Provide explicit definitions for all concepts used in the research question
• Specify the limits of the study in a way that makes it clear what is and is not, to be studied
(not define the question too broadly)
For example:
How have South African mining regulations changed over the years and what has been the impact
of these changes?
How did Acts of Parliament regulating mine safety between 1911 and 1996 impact upon the cost
of gold production in South Africa?
A problem well-stated is a problem half solved
John Dewey
LITERATURE SEARCH & READING
• Speak to your supervisor (if you have one)
• Speak to other researchers
• Searching the journals that relate to your topic
• Using subject indexes and abstracts
• Looking closely at the reference sections of key books and articles relating
to your topic
• Spending time searching library shelves
• Searching the internet for relevant information
LITERATURE SEARCH & READING
There are too many ideas!
• Find a general article or book that will provide a “map” of the theoretical landscape
• Try to fit all your subsequent reading on to this “map”
I forget everything that I read!
• Make sure that you have a proper “map” of the theoretical territory. If you have a
framework into which you can fit new information, you will find it easier to
understand and remember
• Take clear detailed notes of everything you read. Always keep your research question
in mind to avoid recording pages of information which are not relevant to your work
 CRITICAL THINKING
• What made me choose this particular topic for my research?
• What assumptions am I making about the research topic?
• How valid are these assumptions?
• Can I think of different ways of thinking about the topic?
• How would people from other disciplines think about this topic?

Mark N. K. Saunders (2018). Research methods for Business students

DEBATE

• Talking about your research projects is an excellent way to develop your thinking
• Even people with little expertise in your field of work may be able to make helpful
suggestions or ask the type of question that will stimulate your own creative processes
• Learn to listen to constructive criticism from other people
COMPUTER AND THE INTERNET

• It is important to develop good computer skills

– Word processing
– Enter and analyse data using a quantitative or qualitative software package
– Make effective use of the internet as a networking tool, source of information and medium for conducting research
• Examples:
– Online library catalogues
– Working papers
– Journals
– Bibliographies
– Contact details for other researchers
– Databases and research-related information
RECORD KEEPING

• Keeping good records: Don’t know where you read it? → You should be able to track “lost”
references down
• Make reference cards:  Old
• Using software. For examples, I highly recommend to use Zotero : https://www.zotero.org/
WHEN CAN YOU BEGIN TO WRITE
RESEARCH PROPOSAL?
• Have you read broadly and deeply in the area of your research topic?
• Have you spent time thinking critically about the research topic?
• Have you spent time discussing your research topic with others?
• Have you found out how people in other disciplines think about your research topic?
• Do you feel ready to begin writing your research proposal?

If you start writing too soon, you will be forced to stop and go back to the initial steps
WHAT GOES INTO A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL?
• Tittle of the project: major focus of the research, but it should be no longer than necessary
• Problem indentification and explanation (Problem statement): Describe the problem being
addressed by the proposed research and provides the rationale for the proposed objectives
• Objectives & Research questions: Specify precisely what the proposed research project intends
to find out, discover or accomplish
• Literature Review: Summary review of the research literature that í relevant to the study being
proposed.
• Conceptual framework: A formal one is not a universal requirement, but anyone who attempts
to forego this step risk making potentially serious logical errors
• Methods and procedures
• References
WHAT GOES INTO A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL?
• A description of the research problem
• An argument as to why that problem is important
• A review of literature relevant to the research problem
• A description of the proposed research methodology
• A description of how the research findings will be used and or disseminated
DESCRIBING A RESEARCH PROBLEM

• Where does this research question come from?

• Clarify or quantify any concepts which may not be clear
RATIONALE: WHY THE RESEARCH IS
IMPORTANT?
• Often referred to as the “rationale” → It is crucial
• Describing how the results will be used:
– May resolve theoretical questions in your area
– May develop better theoretical models in your area
– May influence public policy
– May change the way people do their jobs in a particular field
– May change the way people live
• Are there other contributions your research will make? If so, describe them in detail
 LITERATURE REVIEW
• Provide a conceptual framework for the reader so that the research questions and
methodology can be better understood
• Demonstrates to the expert reader that the research is aware of the breadth and diversity of
literature that relates to the research question
It is important that you are able to provide an integrated overview of your field of
study.
The literature review is not simply a list or summary but combines the most significant aspects
of the works you have consulted, combing and synthesizing them in an integrated description of
the field of study
LITERATURE REVIEW

• What are the broad bodies of literature that have relevance for your research topic?
• What methods and results have previous researchers in your field produced? What is the
history of your area of study?
• What theoretical models relate to your research topic?
• What different methodologies have ben used by other researchers
• What are the most recent research findings in your area of study?
• What gaps and contradictions exist among these findings?
PROCESS
LITERATURE REVIEW: RECORD
KEEPING
• Keeping good records: Don’t know where you read it? → You should be able to track “lost”
references down
• Make reference cards:  Old
• Using software. For examples, I highly recommend to use Zotero : https://www.zotero.org/
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

• A formal conceptual framework is not required in all research proposals

• More misunderstanding and confusion about the conceptual framework than any other
part of the research process or research proposal
• Many economists fail to understand it clearly, so there is little wonder that students are
confused
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: EXAMPLE

• Government’s breakup of AT&T in the early 1980s

• Newsweek magazine noted that it lead to lower long-distance rates but higher local telephone
service rates, contrary to the expectation that lower local rates would results from the breakup
• Conceptual analysis of long-distance rates – The increased competition from other long-distance
companies resulted in lower rates
• But it failed to recognize that the breakup of the one national company for local service in to 7
regional companies did not dissolve the monopoly (apparently assumed without basis that size and
monopoly power are synonymous).
→ The primary point is that one cannot be assured of a full understanding of the problem
without a rigorous conceptual framework
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

• The conceptual framework may be viewed as an analysis of the research topic(s)/problem(s)

using theory
• It is purely conceptual, that is, without regard for empirical evidence or data
• Its primary function is to lead to and justify meaningful hypotheses that are, in turn,
subject to testing (verification or rejection) [Hypothesis = a tentative assertion that is
subjective to testing]
• If the theory is not already developed, the task may involve formulating theory or
refining/modifying existing theory
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

• The conceptual framework may include the logic of

– Sources of the problem (conditions, circumstances, policies,… that cause the problem
– Alternative solutions to the problem
– Identification of variables relevant to the analysis of the problem
– Conceptualized relationships in a system to analyze the problem
– Hypotheses to be tested about results of analysis on the problem
SOURCE MATERIAL FOR THE
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK: THEORY
• Initial step: Recognizing the relevant theory
• Then, applying that theory to the specific problem
• Sometimes, adaption of existing theory is not sufficient for the analysis of the research
problem
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK IN STEPS

1. Look at the research literature related to your problem

2. Reduce the problem to the simplest set of conditions possible (add assumption,…)
3. Identify the applicable economic theory
4. Start with a “base model” analysis
5. Expand the base model analysis to other relevant dimensions of the problem
6. Assemble relevant, testable hypotheses from the conceptual analysis
METHODOLOGY

• Explain to your reader precisely how you intend to set about finding answers to the research
question.
• You need to put in enough detail so that your reader will understand precisely what process
has led to your results and conclusions
EMPIRICAL RESEARCH
METHODOLOGY
• Hypotheses
• Research Design
• Sampling
• Measurement instruments
• Data collection procedures
• Data analysis
LITERATURE-BASED RESEARCH

• Some studies are not based on empirical work at all but constribute through the systematic
and detailed analysis of existing texts.
• Sources: Some description of the body of writing upon with the research will be based is
necessary. This may include both primary and secondary sources, and should be clearly defined
• Analysis procedures: A detailed description of how the various texts will be analysed must
be included in order to ensure that another researcher working from the same set of texts
would be able to replicate the method
EMERGENT RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

• Emergent research methodologies are useful when the research topic is a very new one and
no established and tested methodologies exist.
• The researcher might choose to begin with some exploratory data collection and use this to
develop an appropriate research methodology
EMERGENT RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

• Exploratory Phase: Details of how an initial set of exploratory data will be gathered and
analyzed.
• Development of Research methodology: description of the process whereby an appropriate
methodology will be developed. This may include descriptions of research participants, the
criteria that will be employed in developing a method, and how the method will be tested (if at
all)
DISSEMINATION OF RESEARCH
FINDINGS
• A key feature of the research proposal and one this is often neglected
CHECKLIST FOR YOUR RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
FINAL NOTE ON PLAGIARISM
REFERENCE BOOK