Components of - Research Proposal Example

?Running Head: Components of Research Proposal Components of Research Proposal [Institute’s Components of Research Proposal Introduction The ability to conduct a thorough and proper research on any of topic is a valuable one in today’s careers and professional environment. This is particularly because when an individual or firm prepares and presents a research proposal, it helps them deliver their idea for a project, which brings the idea one-step closer to implementation, making globally recognized for its significance in the world of careers (Jansen, 1997). This paper, thus, aims to discuss research proposals and their components, in order to equip the reader with at least an idea pertaining to how to write a research proposal. Discussion A research proposal defined is a statement of intent to explore a subject or topic, and following is a detailed plan for this exploration. A student seeks the help of more experienced people, such as their faculty professors for supervision of their research, as well as guidance. For this reason, the students must ensure that the research proposal they prepare is useful, as well as acceptable, and feasible, for every person involved (Kolb, 2008). One can consider a researcher to be a voyager on the path to discovery, where the proposal is the star that guides their journey and help them avoid fault turns. A few essential sections are needed in every research proposal in order to be complete, other than the title page, abstract and table of contents. These are: Introduction When one embarks on the task of exploring something, it always helps to start with a vague yet much needed description of what the research question actually is. This description is a brief statement of the reason for interest in the topic, and the general nature of the concern. There are several possibilities for the themes, which the introduction can have (Ethridge, 2004). It may describe a person or coalition, which raises an issue for the researcher such as change in law affecting taxation in municipalities. Other than this, the topic may just be one that is a subject of interest of concern for the researcher, for which there is not enough information available. Finally, the topic may be related to something that provokes the researchers’ curiosity, like wanting to know what the conflicting opinions of citizens about health policies in a certain area (Ethridge, 2004). The proposal must go on to turn this general concept into a specific research question, which reveals the authors area of focus and the hypothesis it plans to test (Kolb, 2008). The question should be one that challenges or explores a concept, and one that the researcher cannot yet answer. One way of narrowing the proposal down to one such question is to first draft a proposal with several questions, and then specify the line of inquiry. Objectives & Rationale In the objectives, the researcher states their aims from the research, and the specific and general goals it has. The rationale of the proposal (Jansen, 1997) brings forward the problems one can expect from the research, and any limitations that the researchers will face during it. It discusses these while keeping in focus the main purpose for wanting to conduct the research, the ‘rationale.’ Research Statement Here, the researcher will state the research question mentioned above, with brevity and clarity. They will also mention their intentions in the research, and the achievements they have planned. The thesis of the paper, which will follow later on, will revolve around this question. Theoretical Framework (Literature Review) The literature review of the paper will consist of a heavy amount of research, from formal and scholarly sources. This will consist of information both theoretical and empirical. This information will be required to present an argument in light of the question, whether by purporting it or opposing it, in order to build a clearer understanding of the topic (Ethridge, 2004). This part of the proposal aims to familiarize the readers with the topic under question, so that they may fully understand the issue and its significance to explore further. Then follows the conceptual framework, which is the second part of the review. This includes details about the research, which they will carry out, such as the sample size and characteristics. If the proposal is a quantitative hypothesis-testing proposal, this framework must clarify the variables that they plan to test. If the proposal is qualitative or exploratory in nature, then it simply mentions a few essential concepts. Methodology Methodology makes up a large part of the proposal, consisting of three parts, each of which is essential in describing the method of planned research. One part pertains to the design picked for the research, along with justifications for this choice. Subsequently, this section elaborates on data collection methods, such as the instruments that will be in utilization to collect the data as well as how the sample will be selected from the population (Babbie, 2010). The third section discusses the analysis of the research, about how the researcher plans to analyze the data. This is a very significant part of the proposal, and the researcher must give it a large amount of attention. Timeline This section deals with the logistics of the proposed research, by answering the questions about who is responsible for what, where and when. It also reveals what the approximate costs will be in terms of finance as well as time. How will the researcher manage to keep check on operations periodically, to ensure that everything is going according to plan, and what will the procedure be for solving any problems found with the solution (Babbie, 2010). This part is essential to not only the proposal, but to the potential research it, and thus the writer should take care that it is of sound quality. References & Appendices All work, which is taken from external sources, especially the research that was essential to the proposal, must be cited. Thus, a bibliography is necessary for the paper. Several things can be included in the appendix, such as letters of support of a proposal, guides to interviews, specific questionnaires and instruments, drafts which confirm compliance with ethics and also tables which are drawn up roughly to show how data analysis will be done. Conclusion No matter how thorough and descriptive a proposal has been, the conclusion is an essential part of it. It summarizes the appeal for consideration of the research question at hand, and repeals the idea one last time, emphasizing its importance. The important points, which one feels that the reader will want to keep in mind will also be in reiteration in this section. If the proposal is an effective one, it will have encouraged the reader to follow up on the thesis, by awakening a healthy sense of curiosity in them (Babbie, 2010). However, if the proposal is an excellent one, it will leave room for improvement and change. In addition, it will keep the author focused on the purpose of the proposal throughout the paper, despite any worldly obstacles the research may stand to face. References Babbie, E. R. (2010). The Practice of Social Research. Cengage Learning. Ethridge, D. E. (2004). Research Methodology in Applied Economics. Wiley-Blackwell. Jansen, J. (1997). Design your First Research Proposal. Juta & Company Limited. Kolb, B. (2008). Marketing Research for Non-profit, Community, and Creative Organizations. Elsevier. Research Proposal on Obesity Introduction Since decades, obesity has always been one of the major problems of humans, and has been the main cause of a number of other health-related problems globally. In specific, it has been an observation that adults were the only victims of obesity; however, unfortunately, children have now come under the mark of obesity, and have been suffering from obesity due to various causes and factors that need immediate concern (Garrow et al., 2000). For instance, extra consumption of fatty foods and sugary drinks has been the foremost cause of obesity in children besides several other factors. In the result, one can observe huge number of obese children in most of the countries that has resulted in worry of parents, and thus, it has now become responsibility of healthcare organizations, as well as educational institutions to ensure awareness of health-related problems in children through different initiatives. Specifically, this proposal will include endeavors to identify some of the aspects of obesity in children, in order to recognize treatments or strategies that may reduce obesity in the children. Objectives The major aims and objectives of this research are to: Identify and analyze the factors that incline children into obesity. Analyze the extent of physical effects of obesity in children. Analyze the psychological and social effects of obesity on lives of children Analyze the role of media and advertising in bringing children closer to obesity. Research Statement In particular, the researcher will put efforts to focus on the following research statement to achieve objectives of the proposed research: “To analyze the causes of obesity and children while recognizing factors that can play a role in reducing it” Literature Review Brief review of literature (Garrow et al., 2000) has indicated that children in the United States, as well as most of the countries around the globe have become victims of obesity problem that was once a health-related issue of only adults. However, due to unhealthy practices of children, they have now become victims of obesity. In specific, researchers (Myers, 2004) have indicated that watching television continuously and videogames playing has replaced physical exercises that were once the reason of healthy conditions of children. In the result, children in the developed, as well as developing countries are nowadays depending more on technological tools for their entertainment rather than enjoying from outdoor activities. A research (Marcus, 2004) pointed that parents will have to play an imperative role in changing unhealthy lifestyle of their children, and at the same time, majority of researchers (Myers, 2004) have identified schools as another important platform that can inspire children to involve in physical exercises and outdoor activities. In addition, most of the researchers have identified excess of junk foods and sugary juices as the major factor of obesity. Moreover, studies (U.S. Institute of Medicine, 2005) pointed out that vegetables, grains, and fruits are steadily moving towards disappearance from eating habits of children around the globe. In this regard, exclusion of all such eating habits can be very effective in the reduction of obesity in children. Methodology The research will be carried out with qualitative approach. As the literature review reveals, significant quantity of reading material on the topic ‘obesity of children’ is available in books, magazines and journals, which will be the primary source of information for the researcher that means that the project will heavily depend upon secondary research, which will help us in understanding factors that cause obesity in children. Despite the over-arching influence of secondary research and the relevance of information gathered this way to the project under discussion, the authenticity of the literature cannot be assured unless primary research is also carried out. Thus, by random sampling, a group of volunteers will emerge who will then be asked to fill out the questionnaires and appear in interviews that will ask them questions based on vignettes and real-life situations. This primary research will not only help authenticate the secondary research carried out earlier but will also provide material on basis of which information can be analyzed and classified. Thus, this research will explore the factors that cause obesity in children and ways in which one can reduce it by using primary and secondary research methods. Finally, the researcher will acquire an unbiased approach by using both primary and secondary research methodologies in a premeditated manner. Timeline # Task Name Date Date Date Date Date Date Date Date Date Date 1 Literature Review 1st week 2 Submission of Research Proposal 2nd week 3 Secondary Research 3-4th week 4 Analysis of Data 5-6th week 5 Primary Research 7-9th week 6 Distribution of Questionnaires 10th week 7 Collection of Questionnaires 11th week 8 Analysis 12-14th week 9 Rough Draft of Dissertation 15-17th week 10 Final Submission 19th week Conclusion In conclusion, the proposed included some of the significant aspects of proposed research that will include efforts of the researcher to identify factors regarding obesity in children that has become a common notion around the globe. References Garrow, J. S., Ralph, A., Philip, W., James, T. (2000). Human nutrition and dietetics. Elsevier Health Sciences. Marcus, C. (2004). Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence. Karger Publishers. Myers, G. (2004). Exploring Psychology. Worth Publishers. U.S. Institute of Medicine. (2005). Preventing Childhood Obesity. National Academies Press. Read More