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250715P - DEFINITION OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL AND ITS SECTIONS

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Presented at the Mission Academy Research Summer School on July 15, 2025 by Dr Omar Hasan Kasule Sr MB ChB (MUK), MPH (Harvard), DrPH (Harvard), Professor of Epidemiology and Chairman of the Institutional Review Board at King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz University Hospital, Princess Noura University.


WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROPOSAL?

  •  The research proposal outlines the research project from start to end.
  •  The research proposal is a blueprint that guides the execution of various research components.
  •  The research proposal is likened to a house plan; the house cannot be built before approval of the plan.
  •  The research proposal is practical, describing the WHAT and HOW of the research.
  •  The research proposal is needed for various purposes: funding, regulation, and access to data/information.


QUESTION 1a: WHAT IS THIS RESEARCH? - 1: The Title

  •  3 major points: title, abstract, and keywords.
  •  Iteratively define the WHAT of the project through discussions, literature review, some data collection, etc.
  •  Must reflect the rest of the proposal.
  •  The title/ topic should contain keywords that describe the subject matter of the research. 
  •  The title must be readable, clear, accurate, and precise. 
  •  The title must be impressive because it is the first encounter with the research.
  •  The title must be captivating and attractive with an eye on search engines.
  •  Title words should be grammatically correct. 
  •  The title must be serious and not funny.
  •  Can use a main title and a subtitle. 
  •  The number of title words is limited to 10-30. 


QUESTION 1b: WHAT IS THIS RESEARCH? - 2: Keywords

  •  Keywords are written with search engines, indexes, directories, and catalogs. 
  •  Usually, 3-6 terms, either words or phrases, that are the  core ideas of the research
  •  It is expected that keywords appear in the title because they have the same function: the research in a nutshell.


QUESTION 1c: WHAT IS THIS RESEARCH? - 3: Abstract

  •  The abstract is written as we proceed. 
  •  Being able to summarize the research in 200-250 words enables clear thinking in later writings. 
  •  The abstract, like the title and keywords, is the research in a nutshell.


QUESTION 1d: WHAT IS THIS RESEARCH? - 4: Defining aims

  •  Research aims indicate the target of the research. 
  •  Aims besides targeting limit the research. 
  •  Aims can be written as a list or in prose. 
  •  Start with the broadest aim and narrow down as you go through the list.


QUESTION 1d: WHAT IS THIS RESEARCH? - 5: Issues covered by aims

  •  The aims statement explains the causes or consequences of something.
  •  The aim statement criticizes or evaluates some theory or belief; 
  •  The aim statement describes something. 
  •  The aim statement forecasts some outcome.
  •  The aim statement develops good practice.
  •  The aim statement empowers a social group. 


QUESTION 1e: WHAT IS THIS RESEARCH? - 6: Background/problem

  •  The background or problem statement provides the context of the research that an ordinary reader may not be aware of. 
  •  The background/problem statement must be selective
  •  The background statement must be supported with evidence:
    •  Publications linked with current trends in the field of research.
    •  Findings from recently published research in the area.
    •  Actual data from reports or personal experience.
    •  Be selective in the background section.


QUESTION 2: WHAT DO WE ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THE SUBJECT? 

  •  What is already known about the subject?
  •  What are the knowledge gaps necessitating new research?
  •  Literature review prevents us from undertaking unnecessary research or reinventing the wheel.
  •  It is allowed to repeat research already carried out to validate earlier findings.
  •  Research can be repeated for purposes of getting local results.
  •  Research can be repeated for training.


QUESTION 3: WHAT DOES THE RESEARCH NEED TO FIND OUT? 

  •  What new information is needed? 
  •  Defining the new information needed targets the research.
  •  Defining the new information needed helps identify the variables to be studied.


QUESTION 4: HOW WILL WE GET THE NECESSARY INFORMATION?

  •  The research methods describe how to get the necessary information. 
  •  Research methods cover what and how much data to collect, how to collect it, and the analysis of the data.
  •  The methods section enables the reader to know whether the methods are suitable for this type of research and whether they are feasible/successful in practice.


QUESTION 5: WHAT WILL IT COST AND HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE? 

  •  Research requires human resources (researchers, data collectors, etc.) and non-human resources (time and money).
  •  Research is not feasible or successful if resources are not adequate.
  •  The researcher must provide evidence in the proposal about the availability of the necessary resources.


QUESTION 6: IS THE RESEARCH SOCIALLY/ETHICALLY ACCEPTABLE? 

  •  Research must conform to or not violate socially accepted norms.
  •  Research must conform to or not violate ethically accepted norms.
  •  Reviewers of a proposal look for evidence that the research will be conducted according to acceptable social and ethical standards, as well as the laws of the land.


QUESTION 7: WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS? 

  •  Research must have tangible benefits and is not done just for the sake of research.
  •  The research proposal must mention benefits in terms of outcomes and end-products.
  •  The beneficiaries of the research must be identified with specific deliverables.


STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Several formats are available, all of which are similar:

  •  Title
  •  Keywords
  •  Aims
  •  Literature review
  •  Research questions
  •  Methods
  •  Planning and resources
  •  Ethical considerations: actual issues and not just IRB application


WORTHWHILE RESEARCH

  •  Contributes to knowledge.
  •  Leads the development of good practice. 
  •  Results of the research have an impact if disseminated.


FEASIBLE RESEARCH

  •  Appropriate scope.
  •  Data available.
  •  Resources are assured.
  •  Ethical.


WHAT MAKES A PROPOSAL STAND OUT?

  •  Originality.
  •  Timeliness.
  •  Topic of interest.
  •  Wide applicability.
  •  Precision.


TIPS OF WRITING A GOOD PROPOSAL

  •  Straightforward: Say what you will do and why, and no more.
  •  Be brief and precise.
  •  Simple language – not verbose.
  •  Know your audience.
  •  Acknowledge the limitations.
  •  Promote yourself.
  •  Be honest.


REJECTION OF A PROPOSAL BASED ON THE RESEARCH PROBLEM

  •  Proposal vague, unfocused, and unclear 
  •  Research problem not significant, more complex than what the researcher thinks, is not relevant, interests only a small group
  •  There is no new information 
  •  The hypothesis is not well stated,  ill-defined, doubtful, or unsound, and has no justification 


REJECTION OF A PROPOSAL DUE TO ITS DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY 

  • Vague description of the design and/or method.
  • The data proposed is inaccessible or is not relevant to the hypothesis.
  • The proposed methods are not relevant to the research problem.


REJECTION OF A PROPOSAL DUE TO THE INVESTIGATOR 

  •  The investigator does not have sufficient education, training, or experience to carry out the proposed research successfully. 
  •  The investigator is not aware of all the relevant literature.
  •  The investigator does not have sufficient time to carry out the project successfully.


REJECTION OF A PROPOSAL DUE TO RESOURCES

  •  The site of the research is not appropriate.
  •  The proposed equipment is not appropriate.
  •  No adequately trained support staff.