1. RESEARCH PROBLEM DEFINITION
Research Methodology

2. Why define the Research Problem?
Defining your destination before beginning a journey.
It determines,
what you will do,
will it withstand scientific scrutiny,
how you will do it, and
what you may achieve!
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Research Proposal Development

3. How is a research problem selected?
Researchers interest in a topic
National or agency priorities
Urgency of an issue
Availability of research funds
Availability of supervision
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Research Proposal Development

4. Steps in defining research problems
Identify a broad topic
Identify a narrow topic within the broad topic
Raise questions
Formulate objectives
Use action-oriented words - To demonstrate; To evaluate; To measure…
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Research Proposal Development

5. Identifying Broad Topics
Think of the BIG PICTURE
What is the problem you are trying to solve?
Think of something you like to learn more about
Consult text books, journal or your supervisor
Pick one based on:
Interest and relevance
Magnitude of work involved
Level of expertise
yours and your advisors
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Research Proposal Development

6. Examples of Broad Topics
Optimizing productivity of land and water resources
Ensuring Food Safety & Security
Sustaining Agricultural & Marine Environments
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Research Proposal Development

7. From Broad Topic to Narrow Topic
Examples of a narrow topic:
Liver disease in Goat
Greenhouse Agriculture
Milk Quality
Greywater reuse potential in Oman
When selecting a narrow topic think how it can contribute towards solving the BIG PROBLEM!
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Research Proposal Development

8. Problem Tree – Keep asking Why?
Unskilled Labor
Inefficient Irrigation
Low Labor
Productivity
Unsuitable Climate
Inefficient Water harvesting
Water Scarcity
Lack of crop varieties
adapted to climate
Food Insecurity
Unsuitable Crops
Farming Patterns do not
Return nutrients
Low Land
Productivity
Farmers can’t afford fertilizers
Farmers unaware of
best practices
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Research Proposal Development
Poor Soil

9. Proposal Writing

10. Research Proposal Development
Sections
Title
Introduction
additional sub sections if necessary
Objectives
Materials & Methods
A tentative time table
A budget .
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Research Proposal Development

11. Research Proposal Development
Title
Specific & Short
This forms the first impression about your research
If vague – Reader will be cynical
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Research Proposal Development

12. Research Proposal Development
Introduction
Convince the reader that you have identified a research problem, worthy of investigating.
Start very general – Broad Topic
Highlight
the concept
Practical significance
Reduce it to a narrow topic by
Raising questions, and
Stating answers from literature for most.
Establish Rationale:
Research is necessary questions for which there is no answer yet.
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Research Proposal Development

13. Research Proposal Development
Objectives
Provide a clear statement of the overall question- General objective
Follow it with action oriented tasks - Specific objectives.
If more than one specific objective state them sequentially
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Research Proposal Development

14. Research Proposal Development
Methodology
State it explicitly
Enough detail for the reader to follow
First give an overall summary of your study design and methodological approach.
Then provide the methodology for each specific objective.
Describe
the specific design (what will you do and how, number of replicates, etc.),
the materials and techniques that will be used, and
the feasibility of these techniques.
Use literature to support design, materials & techniques
Need not repeat standard procedures – but give a reference.
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Research Proposal Development

15. Research Proposal Development
References
List all references
In alphabetical order
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Research Proposal Development

16. GANTT Chart (Time line)
Task
Quarter1
Quarter2
Quarter3
Quarter4
Survey
Test GWT
Analyze data
Write Thesis
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Research Proposal Development

17. Research Proposal Development
Budget
SUMMARY OF FUNDS REQUESTED (RO)
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
TOTAL
Capital Equipment
7500
Recurrent Items
8000
6000
16000
30000
Use of University Facilities
1000
3000
Local Travel Costs
Publication Costs
500
2500
2600
Miscellaneous
2000
12500
18000
22500
53000
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Research Proposal Development