Prof. HC Rawat Principal University College of Nursing, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, Faridkot

Contents ◦ INTRODUCTION ◦ DEFINITION ◦ FUNCTIONS OF A PROPOSAL ◦ COMPONENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL ◦ CONCLUSION ◦ REFERENCES

Preamble Research proposals communicate a research problem and proposed methods of solving it. A written document, specifying what the investigator proposes to study and written before beginning the research.

Preamble The content and organization are broadly similar to that for a research report, but proposals are written in the future tense (i.e., indicating what the researcher will do) and obviously do not include results and conclusions.

What is Research? Nursing/Medical Research involves a systematic search for knowledge about issues of importance to the nursing/medical profession.

Research Protocols: Some concerns To structure the planning stage of a research study researchers formulate a research proposal or a protocol. The research proposal serves as a blue print for a research project and must be completed before a research study. The written proposal communicate the problem being investigated and procedure that will be used in investigation.

What is a Research Proposal? The research proposal is a written document specifying what the investigator proposes to study and therefore it is written before the project has commenced. It is like an outline of the entire research process that gives a reader a summary of the information discussed in a research project.

Cont… Research proposal gives the clear idea of what the researcher plan to do, how and when various tasks are to be accomplished and whether the researcher is capable of successfully following the proposed plan of action.

Definition Proposal is a document communicating a research problem, its significance, proposed procedures for solving the problem, and, when funding is sought, how much the study will cost. Polit DF, Beck C. Nursing Research Principles and Methods. 9th edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott’s Williams and Wilkins; 2012

Purpose of a Research Proposal Research proposal is intended to convince reviewer that the researcher have a worthwhile research project, competence and the work-plan to complete it. The purpose of a proposal is to sell researcher’s idea to the funding agency, if you need funds. This means that the investigator must convince the funding agency that: ◦ The problem is significant and worthy of study. ◦ The technical approach is novel and likely to yield results ◦ The investigator and his/her research team is/are the right group of individuals to carry out and accomplish the work described in the research proposal.

Functions of a proposal 1.Means of opening communication between researchers and other parties. 2.Serve as the basis for negotiating with other parties. 3.Help researchers to clarify their own thinking.

Significance of Research Proposal The research proposal is forward looking as it eliminate aimless wondering and gives directions to the research work. The research proposal describes the anticipated plan of research for the approval of the committee or funding agency or university. The proposal anticipate as many of the elements of the research procedure as possible and provide a model that helps researcher to write the research project. The research proposal is written during planning phase of research project.

Checklist Before Drafting Research Proposals Statement of the Problem (Title of the study) Well defined aims and objectives Relevant Literature Search (Review of Studies) Detail of Study Design (Type of Study) Number of Group and Sample Size Inclusion, Exclusion Criteria Methodology (Data Collection Procedure) Parameters to be compared and analysis Statistical Methods (Significance Test and Level of Significance) Outcome of the Research and its Usefulness

Front Matter Proposals typically begin with what is referred to as front matter Orients readers to the study Typically includes, at a minimum, a cover page that indicates the title of the proposed study and the author’s name and institution. Title should be given careful thought. Should be crafted to create a good impression. Should be concise and informative, but should also be compelling and interesting.

Background of the problem Must strengthen the arguments concerning the significance of the study. Should orient the reader to what is already known about the problem and how the proposed research will increase that knowledge.

Background of the problem Should have a discussion of highly selective studies which are clearly related to what the investigator proposes to study. Should be organized as global, national and local concerns on the problem under investigation.

Problem statement is an expression of a dilemma or disturbing situation that needs investigation. Clearly, concisely and precisely articulated Clearly stating the variables, population and research setting under study Express variables in measurable terms The type of study may be included in the statement of research problem. (Type of study, variables, population and setting) Statement of the problem

Purpose of the study A specific research study may have two or more aims goals. Purpose should be the expected outcome of the study.

Objectives of the study Include the specific objectives to be achieved. Clearly stated in achievable and measurable terms. Objectives should be formed on the basis of specific questions to be answered. Bloom’s taxonomy may be referred to, for selecting the verbs.

Hypotheses Statements of expectations of a researcher on relationships between the variables under his/her study. A prediction of expected outcomes. Should be derived on the basis of objectives of the study.

Assumptions An assumption is a statement whose truth is either considered self-evident or has been satisfactorily established by earlier research. It is a principle that is accepted as being true based on logic or custom, without proof. This will act as a foundation of accepted knowledge.

Variables Variables are qualities, properties, or characteristics of person, things or situations that change or vary. “Variables are concepts at different level of abstraction that are concisely defined to promote their measurement or manipulation within study” (Chinn & Kramer) Dependent variable, Independent variable, Extraneous variable, Confounding variable etc…

Operational Definitions of Terms Definitions of important terms must be given. Each term should be conceptually defined (mention the reference) then operationalize along with the name of tool and it’s subareas (minimum and maximum score of the tool need not be mentioned).

Conceptual frame work The framework also should explain the interrelationships among the phenomena under investigation. Interrelated concepts or abstractions assembled in a rational and often explanatory scheme to illuminate relationships among them; is called as conceptual model.

Delimitations Researcher identifies before the commencement of research.

Research methodology The explanation of the research methodology should be thorough enough that readers will have no question about how research objectives will be addressed. This part should explain clearly and completely the following: Research approach Research design Research setting Population, sample, sample size, sampling criteria and sampling technique Selection and development of study instruments, including validity, pretesting and reliability of the instruments Plan for pilot study Plan for data collection Plan for data analysis The description of methods should also include a discussion of the rationale for the proposed methods, potential methodologic problems, and intended strategies for handling such problems.

Work plan This is the plan according to which the various tasks and subtasks will be accomplished by the investigator. Researchers often describe their proposed plan for managing the flow of work on the project. Researchers indicate in the work plan the sequence of tasks to be performed, the anticipated length of time required for their completion, and the personnel required for their accomplishment.

Project Timeline, in Calendar Months, for a 24-Months Project Polit DF, Beck C. Nursing Research Principles and Methods. 9th edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott’s Williams and Wilkins; 2012

Budget Budgets translate project activities into monetary terms, and are an extremely important part of research proposals requesting financial support; they are sometimes included in student proposals as well. Budgets are statements of how much money will be required to accomplish the various tasks. A well-conceived work plan greatly facilitates the preparation of the budget. This should give the proposed expenses towards the investigation in terms of money, material and manpower.

Ethical considerations The plan of the investigator to conduct research within the ethical considerations need to be explained.

References & Appendices Based on any standard format like Vancouver, APA etc..

CONCLUSION A research proposal is a written document specifying what a researcher intends to study. Major components of a research proposal include front matter such as a cover page, an abstract, statement of the problem, background and significance of the problem, specific objectives, methods, and work plan or schedule; proposals written for funding usually also include sections on personnel and facilities and a budget.

References 1.Polit DF, Beck C. Nursing Research Principles and Methods. 9th edition. Philadelphia: Lippincott’s Williams and Wilkins; Polit DF, Beck C. Nursing Research Principles and Methods. 7th edition China: Lippincott’s Williams and Wilkins; Parahoo K. Nursing Research: Principles, Process and Issues. 2nd edition. New York: Palgrave Mac Millian Ltd; Burns N, Grove SK, Understanding Nursing research: Building evidence based practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia: Saunders an imprint of Elsevier; Talbot L A. Principles and practice of nursing research. St. Louis: Mosby; 1995.

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