Components and sections of a proposal

Presenter: College Harmonized Research Team

KENYA MEDICAL TRAINING COLLEGE

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Characteristics of a good proposal
• All health research studies should have a proper proposal in
written form before it is actually carried out

• It is like a blue print of a building plan before the construction

starts
• Writing a research proposal is both science and art
• A good research proposal is based on scientific facts and on
the art of clear communication
 Characteristics of a good proposal
The research proposal should be

a) Innovative

b) Clear

c) Concise

d) Includes specific aims

e) Describes the approach to be used in a study

f) Describes the study’s significance and impact on science

 Characteristics of a good proposal
A research proposal is intended to convince others that;

• you have a worthwhile research project

• and that you have the competence and the work-plan to complete
it.

Generally the research proposal must address;

• What you plan to accomplish,

• why do you want to do it

• and how are you going to do it

 Sections of a research proposal
In general sections of research proposal include:
• Title/ Research Topic
• Abstract
• Introduction (Chapter 1)
• Literature review (Chapter 2)
• Methodology/ Materials and Methods (Chapter 3)
• Results (Chapter 4)
• Discussion, Conclusion and Recommendation (Chapter 5)
• References
• Appendices
 Research Topic
• The title of a research paper is usually the very first thing that
people see when they search for research papers online.

• If a title is vague or uninteresting, potential readers may not

be inclined to read the paper.

• The title should not be more than 15 words

 Research Topic....
Considerations when looking for a research topic:
•Is the topic researchable given the time, resources and
availability of data?
•Is there personal interest in the topic in order to sustain your
attention?
•Will the results from the study be of interest to the other
researchers and practitioners?
•Is the topic likely to be published in a scholarly journal?
•Does the study fill a gap , replicate, extend or develop new
ideas in the scholarly literature?
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 Research Topic....
• A good topic is defined as the fewest possible words that
adequately describe the contents of the paper.
• The topic is extremely important and must be chosen with
great care as it will be read by thousands, unlike entire paper
• Abstracting of the paper depends on the accuracy of the
topic.
• An improperly research topic will never be read.
• Topic should neither be too short nor too long as to be
meaningless
 Research Topic....
• Topic should not waste words (studies on, investigations on, a,
an, the etc)

• Syntax (word order) must be very carefully considered

• It should contain the keywords that reflect the contents of the

paper.

• It should be meaningful and not general

• It should be concise, specific and informative

• It should capture the fundamental nature of the experiments

and potential findings
 How to Prepare Research Topic
• Make a list of the most important keywords

• Think of a topic that contains these words

• The topic could state the conclusion of the paper

• The topic NEVER contains abbreviations, chemical formulas,

proprietary names or jargon

• Think, rethink of the topic before submitting the paper

• Be very careful of the grammatical errors due to faulty word

order

• Avoid the use of the word “using”

 Fore mater
To Be Generated Later
• Cover page
• Declaration
• Approval
• Dedication
• Acknowledgement
• Abstract
• Operational definitions
 Abstract ( Written LATER)
This is a short summary of what the researcher has done. It
should be brief and comprehensive, enough to give the reader
an overview of the problem and how the researcher has
solved it.

• It is important that the abstract be written clearly and simply,

as it is the first and sometimes the only part of the research
read.

• It is easier to write the abstract after completion of the paper

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 Abstract
• An abstract is a brief summary of a research proposal, article,
dissertation, thesis, review, conference proceeding, or any in-
depth analysis of a particular subject or discipline

• The abstract appears early in the proposal/dissertation but is

the last one to write.

• It is often used to help the reader quickly ascertain the

paper's purpose.

• An abstract acts as the point-of-entry for any given academic

paper or proposal.
 The Abstract
• The abstract is the first section in a research paper/Proposal.
Researchers generally read the abstract of a paper before
deciding whether to read the entire paper. Also, journal editors
and peer reviewers get their first impression of a paper from its
abstract

• The abstract should usually contain information from each

section of the paper. It should be organized in a sort of mini
IMRAD (Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussions)
format, but without references.
 The Abstract……
• The abstract is usually a single paragraph long and without
headings

• However, in other fields, the abstract may have a few short

paragraphs with headings (this is called a structured abstract).

• Always follow the instructions given by your Institution.

• Carefully revise the abstract after you finalize the body of the
paper and make sure the content is consistent with that in the
body of the paper
 Abstract cont..
What does an abstract do;
• Sparks interest in your proposal/ dissertation
• Provides a concise description of your research
proposal/dissertation
• States in a clear and simple way the main points of your
dissertation
• Stands alone
• Targets your specific audience!
 Four Cs of abstract writing
•Complete — it covers the major parts of the proposal/
dissertation (Introduction, objectives, study population,
sample size, sampling technique, ethical consideration etc ) In
general the abstract must contain IMRAD (Introduction,
Methods, Results, and Discussion
•Concise — it contains no excess wordiness or unnecessary
information. Only 300 words
•Clear — it is readable, well organized, and not too jargon-
laden.
•Cohesive — it flows smoothly between the parts.
 Chapter 1: Introduction
• The first section in the body of a paper (that is, after the
abstract) is the introduction.
• The introduction section may have other names, for example,
"Background".
• The introduction has two purposes.
• The first purpose is to provide a background to the research
work. The introduction should aim to help readers
– Understand the paper
– Appreciate the importance of the research
• The second purpose is to identify the question(s) addressed
by the research. The research questions are sometimes stated
as hypotheses.
 Chapter 1: Introduction
This chapter comprises of
1. Background to the study
2. Problem statement
3. Justification
4. Research questions
5. Objectives (Broad and specific)
6. Scope and limitations
 Background to the study
• The introduction section is analogous to a funnel.
• At the beginning, there is a considerable amount of
general information.
• Slowly, the focus narrows and the information
becomes specific
• This is a very important section of the research
project since this is where the researcher creates the
initial impression of the study. The researcher looks
at the problem globally and narrows down to the
country or local area. A narrative of the problem and
its impact at local area is made.
 Background to the study
The introduction should answer the following questions:

1. What am I studying?

2. Why is this an important question?

3. What do I know about this topic before I do this

study?

4. What model am I testing? and

5. What approach will I take in this study?

Suggested rules for a good background:
• It should present the nature and scope of the problem to be
investigated (Broad background and context)
• Consider pertinent literature to be reviewed
• Think of the method of investigation,
• Type of data, respondent, analysis etc
• Include a literature review first, and then anything else you
want to do is secondary
• The Literature Review will include books and journal articles
(academically appropriate), but you will also search for prior
studies on the subject you have selected.
• It's also good to revise the introduction after writing the
other sections. After you write the paper, you'll know what to
introduce!
 Problem Statement
 A section in which the researcher “sells” the research idea in
succinct, formal and objective terms. The problem statement should
be brief and precise.

 The first condition of solving a problem is understanding the

problem, which can be done by way of a problem statement.

 The problem statement should address the following questions;

1. What is the current gap that can be solved with this study, e.g gap
in knowledge, lack of local evidence, existence of controversy etc

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 Problem Statement

2. What is the problem that your study will try

to solve e.g. addressing a knowledge gap,
providing updated and contextual evidence.
 Justification for the Study

• This section describes the potential importance of the study

and how the results will be used and who are the potential
beneficiaries or consumers of the results.

• This section should cover briefly the reason for carrying out
the study and any unique ideas or contributions that the
researcher will offer.

• Also referred to as rationale for the study

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 Research questions
What is a Research Question?

• Research seeks to answer questions whether from a practical

need or simple curiosity.

• Research question yields hard fact to help solve a problem,

produce new research, add to theory, or improve practice
 Functions of research question
• Define the nature and scope of the study

• Determine the design of the study

• Identify the sample

• Guides data collection

• Provides framework for data analysis.

• Formulating questions precisely enables one design a study

with a good chance of answering them.

 What will a good research question
do?
• Identify variables and key predictors of those variables

• Determine the type of study required (descriptive, relational,

experimental etc)

• Identify factors that might influence outcomes

• Raise questions about how to best collect data

• Influence the number of participants in the study

 Critique Your Question
• Clearly stated?

• Stated as a question?

• Testable?

• Defines variables to be studied?

• Defines sample to be studied?

• Describes the setting for the study?

 Research questions or Hypothesis
• This section should translate the objectives into specific
research questions to be answered by the research or as
specific hypotheses to be tested.

• Research questions are appropriate where the research is

investigating phenomena about which little is known.

• Research hypotheses are used when there is a basis for

predicting how the independent and dependent variables are
related based on the review of literature or theory.

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 Purpose of the Study

This is a broad statement that indicates what the researcher

intends to do about the problem under investigation (picks on
the Topic).

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• In general, research objectives describe what we expect to
achieve in a research study

• Objectives are specific activities the researcher intends to

carry out in order to answer questions addressed by the
study.
 Why develop objectives?
• To Focus the study (narrowing it down to essentials);

• To Avoid the collection of data which are not strictly necessary

for understanding and solving the problem we have identified

• To Organize the study in clearly defined parts or phases.

• Properly formulated, specific objectives will facilitate the

development of our research methodology and will help to
orient the collection, analysis, interpretation and utilization of
data.
 Objective of the Study
Broad Objective
• This is a broad statement that indicates what the researcher intends
to do about the problem under investigation (picks on the Topic).
Broad objective is also known as general objective
• The broad objective of a study states what researchers expect to
achieve by the study in general terms
• It is possible (and advisable) to break down a broad objective into
smaller, logically connected parts. These are normally referred to as
specific objectives.

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 Objective of the study
Specific Objective
• Specific objectives should systematically address the various
aspects of the problem as defined under ‘Statement of the
Problem
• The objectives should be specific, measurable and achievable
within the given duration of study and budget allocation.
• They should specify what you will do in your study, where and
for what purpose.
 How should you state your objectives?
• Should cover the different aspects of the problem and its
contributing factors in a coherent way and in a logical
sequence;

• Are clearly phrased in operational terms, specifying exactly

what you are going to do, where, and for what purpose;

• Are realistic considering local conditions;

• and Use action verbs that are specific enough to be

evaluated.
 Objectives continued
• Examples of action verbs are: to determine, to compare, to
verify, to calculate, to describe, and to establish.

• Avoid the use of vague non-action verbs such as: to

appreciate, to understand, or to study.
 Objectives Examples
Title: Factors influencing utilization of maternal health care
services in Nairobi City County

Broad Objective: To assess factors influencing utilization of

maternal health care services in Nairobi City county
Specific Objectives
1. To determine the level of knowledge of pregnant women
regarding antenatal care in Nairobi City County
2. To determine women attitudes towards attendance of
antenatal care clinics in Nairobi City County
3. To establish the providers of delivery services in Nairobi city
County
 Scope and Limitations

This section describes the potential weakness

of the study in terms of research design,
sampling procedure, sample size, data
collection procedures and analytical
techniques

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 Operational definitions of terms

• Operational definitions are stated for the major

variables to be investigated

• These definitions are sometimes referred to as

normal or theoretical definitions

• They describe what a researcher means by a

concept.

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 …..definitions of terms

• Operational definitions refer to how the researcher will

measure the existence or degree of existence of a concept or
variable.

• These procedures basically reflect the questions and

observations, which will constitute the research

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 The End
Thank You

KENYA MEDICAL TRAINING COLLEGE

Training for Better ISO 9001:2015 Certified
Health by