Writing the Research

Proposal
Outline
Introduction Review of Related Literature
Definitions Materials and Methods
Purposes of Research Proposal The Subject/Experimental Animals
Characteristics of a Good Research Materials, Measures, Instruments
Proposal
Conventional Parts of a Research Proposal Design and Procedure
Statistical Analyses
The Title
Results
The Introduction Dummy Tables
Background of the Study Dummy Figures
Statement of the Problem
Research Objectives Discussion (optional)
Hypothesis Literature Cited
Significance of the Study Time Frame (Gantt Chart)
Scope and Limitations
Definition of Key Terms (if applicable) Line-Item Budget
Introduction to writing the research
proposal
Research Proposal a document that discusses openly the
problem for research, examines how exactly the research will be
executed, and spells out in precise detail the resources both
factual and instrumental the researcher has at hand for
producing the proposed results (Leedy, 1997)

describes the whole process of research to be undertaken

a written plan of study

Other possible terms: prospectus, plan, outline, statement, draft

Why write a proposal?
Serves as communication to a grantor, an advisor, or a
committee from whom approval is desired. AND IF THE ANSWER
IS YES, then
Serves as an agreement between the proponent and the one
granting approval.
The contents become your plan of action and as outline of
work to be done throughout the project.
Characteristics of a good proposal
Straightforward no extraneous matter
- avoid autobiographical excursions, e.g. when I was swimming
along the beach I noticed that a lot of fish had died and were
floating helplessly
NOT a literary production
- economy of words and a precision of expression: language
must be clear, precise and sharp.
clearly organized
- makes use of outline: proper use of headings and
subheadings
Conventional parts of a proposal
Title page
Purpose or hypothesis and specific objectives
Discussion of significance of need (justification)
Review of work done or being done (literature)
Materials and Methods
Discussion of possible outcomes (conclusions)
Time frame, budget, and biography of investigators
The title
the fewest possible words that adequately describe the
contents of the paper
must contain the subject matter of the study, the locale of the
study, the population involved, and the period when the data
were gathered or will be gathered
if more than one line, must be written like an inverted pyramid
Names of chemicals and organisms
The full chemical name is frequently given in parentheses after the
common or trivial name and need not be repeated.

If the title is short, the names of chemical elements may be spelled

out. If the title is long, then elemental abbreviations may be used.

The common names of plants may also be used in titles. If the

organism has no common name then the Latin binomial (or trinomial)
term should be used, followed by its author.

Microorganisms and other plant and animal species that are unfamiliar
to the reader should be identified by their scientific names.
Title length
Studies on Brucella
(from the Journal of Bacteriology)

On the addition to the method of microscopic research by a new way of producing colour-
contrast
between an object and its background or between definite parts of the object itself
(J. Rheinberg, J.R. Microsc. Soc. 1896:373)

Waste words:
Studies on
Investigations on
Observations on
A, An, The
Need for specific titles
Action of Antibiotics on Bacteria

vs.

Preliminary observations on the effect of certain antibiotics
on various species of bacteria
Acceptable:
Action of Streptomycin on Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Action of Streptomycin, Neomycin and Tetracycline on Gram-positive bacteria

Action of Polyene Antibiotics on Plant-Pathogenic Bacteria

Action of Various Antifungal Antibiotics on Candida albicans and Aspergillus fumigatus

Even better:

Inhibition of Growth of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by Streptomycin
Syntax

Mechanism of Suppression of Nontransmissible Pneumonia in Mice Induced by Newcastle Disease Virus

(Journal of Bacteriology)

Should be:

Mechanism of Suppression of Nontransmissible Pneumonia Induced in Mice by Newcastle Disease Virus

Other examples
Multiple Infections Among Newborns Resulting from Implantation with Staphylococcus aureus
502A
(Bacteriol. Proc. p. 102, 1968)

Preliminary Canine and Clinical Evaluation of a New Antitumor Agent, Streptovitacin
(Clin. Res. 8:134, 1960)

Isolation of Antigens from Monkeys Using Complement-Fixation Techniques
(J. Bacteriol.)

Characterization of Bacteria Causing Mastitis by Gas-Liquid Chromatography
(Journal of Clinical Microbiology)

The title as a label

Oct-3 is a maternal factor required for the first mouse
embryonic division
(Cell 64: 1103, 1991)
Scrutinize the following titles
The Amazing Production of Polyclonal and Monoclonal Antibodies Against
Pseudomonas solanaceum, E.F. Smith for Diagnosis of Bacterial Wilt in Banana

The Physiology of Nypa fruticans Wurrab in Polluted Estuaries of Pagbilao,

Quezon As Studied in 1995-1996

Remediation of Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent: A Comparative Study on the

Effectivity of Using Physico-chemical Method (Inorganic Flocculants) and
Micorbial Method (Phanerophyte chrysosporium) in Decolorizing Paper and
Pulp Mill Effluent

Investigative Study on the Effect of Feeding Peanut on the Memory and

Learning Ability of Male Albino Rats
The Introduction: subheadings
Background of the Study
Statement of the Problem
Research Objectives
Hypothesis
Significance of the Study
Scope and Limitations
Definition of Key Terms (if applicable)
Background of the study
the proponent cites the background of the study by quoting
some statements from published materials relevant to the
proposed study to give the reader a birds eye view of the
study.

the proponent can also state the rationale of the study or

justification for doing the study but not be so extensive since
there is another segment where the proponent can explain this
(Significance of the Study).
Example
Adopted from source: Developmental toxicity and stress protein
responses in zebrafish embryos after exposure to diclofenac (Hallare et
al., Chemosphere 56 (2004): 659-666).

The presence of pharmaceuticals in the environment is an emerging

environmental issue. Unlike other classes of substances (e.g. metals,
pesticides, PCBs, and nutrients), the environmental fate and
ecotoxicological effects of many pharmaceuticals are poorly understood
(Boxall et al., 2000; Halling-Soerensen et al., 1998; Jones et al., 2001).
One of the most frequently detected pharmaceuticals in environmental
water samples is the anti-rheumatic drug, Diclofenac (Jux et al., 2002;
Weigel et al., 2002). .After being used in human therapy, this drug finds
its ways to municipal sewage treatment plants (STPs), where it is not
completely eliminated and is often discharged as contaminants to the
receiving waters.
Statement of the Problem
A general statement of the whole problem followed by specific
questions or subproblems into which the general problem is
broken up.

Example:
Do environmentally-relevant concentrations of diclofenac in
freshwater systems exhibit embryotoxic and stress protein (hsp
70) responses in zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos?
Research objective/s
statement of purpose for which the investigation is to be
conducted. It differs from a research problem by being stated
in a declarative form.

Example:
The present study attempts to determine if diclofenac affects
the development of an indicator species, Danio rerio, and to
investigate the possible proteotoxic potential of this drug to the
growing embryos.
Hypothesis
only experimental studies need expressly-written hypotheses

Example:

The study has the following hypotheses:

H0: Diclofenac does not pose a hazard to early life stages of

zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Ha : Diclofenac elicits embryotoxic and proteotoxic responses from
developing zebrafish embryos.
Significance of the study
the importance of the whole study must contain explanations
or discussions on any of the following:

Rationale, timeliness, and/or relevance of the study

possible solutions to existing problems or improvement of
unsatisfactory conditions.
Who are to be benefited and how?
Possible contribution to the fund of knowledge
Scope and delimitation should include:
a brief statement of the general purpose of the study
the subject matter and topics studied and discussed
the locale of the study, where the data were gathered or are to
be gathered
the population or universe from which the respondents were
selected
the period of the study
may also state what are NOT covered by the study
Definition of terms
only the terms, words, or phrases which have special or unique
meanings in the study are defined
terms should be defined operationally, i.e. how they are used
in the study
definitions should be as brief, clear, and unequivocal as
possible
Review of related literature (refer to
previous lecture)
a summary of the writings of recognized authorities and of previous research
provides evidence that the researcher is familiar with what is already known
and what is still unknown and untested
helps to eliminate the duplication of what has been done and provides useful
hypotheses and helpful suggestions for significant investigation
cites studies that show substantial agreement and those that seem to
present conflicting conclusions
helps to sharpen and define understanding of existing knowledge in the problem
area
make the reader aware of the status of the issue.
Only those studies that are plainly relevant, competently executed, and
clearly reported should be included.
A good literature review can establish credibility of the proponent and the
chances of the proposal of being accepted is enhanced.
Materials and Methods
this section tells the reader exactly how the study will be
conducted and to ensure that a competent worker could repeat
your experiment and compare his/her results with your own.
must directly satisfy the criterion of replication.
divided into subsections: subjects; materials and instruments
and the research design and procedure
The subject/experimental animals
who will be the research participants (or what population of
plants or animals), how many of them, their characteristics
(number, species, strain number, sex, age, weight, etc.), and
how they will be selected

Animals must be described with precision. Confirmation of

findings depend on the use of identical kind of animal tissue or
cell.
Materials and Instruments
what materials or apparatus will be used? Sufficient detail
should be supplied to enable the reader to obtain comparable
equipment.

Any mention of commercially marketed equipment should be

accompanied by the firms name and the model number, or in
the case of a measuring instrument, a reference that will
enable the reader to obtain the same scale.
Design and Procedure
how the study should be executed, from the moment the
subject and the experimenter come in contact, to the moment
the contact is terminated

include instructions or stimulus conditions presented to the

subjects and the responses that were required of them, as well
as any control techniques to be used (such as randomization. In
this case the selected experimental design should be
described clearly.
Experimental design
A 2 x 6 factorial experiment will be conducted using lambs fed
ad libitum in individual pens indoors. This will comprise two
basal diets (kale and Lucerne) and five levels of SMCO
supplementation (0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.8, and 1.6 D.M.). As SMCO
supplementation depressed voluntary intake, the sixth
supplementary treatment will be comprised of animals offered
control kale and Lucerne diets (i.e. without any SMCO added)
but with intake restricted to the same level as to be achieved by
the groups supplemented with 1.6% SMCO. There will be four
replicate animals in each of the 12 treatment groups, giving 48
animals in the complete experiment.
Source: Mountier NS, Lucas RJ (1981)
Statistical analyses
details about levels of statistical significance applied in
hypothesis testing, or any special statistical tests or analyses
done. This depends on the objectives as well as the chosen
research design.

T-tests, F-tests, chi-square measures, ANOVA

Results
This section should show the skeleton or dummy tables or data
sheets.

Provides clues as to how the data will be best presented,

whether in tables or figures.
Discussion (optional)
the proponent has the opportunity to show broad familiarity with the various
aspects and implications of the problem and to present the potential
significance of the prospective results. Be sure to indicate any distinctive
qualities of this research as compared with previous studies. Wild speculation
is anathema. This is the place to persuade your reader that your proposed
study holds real promiseAnd you may suggest new directions for subsequent
or concurrent projects in related research.
Although no results yet, it is important to reemphasize objectives, summarize
points in the justification, and draw the reader back to the research
question, the hypothesis, and the objectives.
The conclusion will enumerate points of justification and benefits to be
derived.
This section can extend into proposed applications or future research beyond
your own, but dont overdo this idea.
Literature cited
accurate list of the articles cited in your review of related
literature
Additional literature may be added later.
Follow a consistent style throughout
Any error can destroy your credibility and diminish the chance
for acceptance of your proposal.
Time frame
allow yourself enough time but dont be wasteful
know exactly how much time is given to you by the grantor or
adviser
Gantt chart
Research Phase(s) Expected Duration of Activity by Week
and Activities Outputs 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

Line Item Budget
plan carefully the budget with estimates as nearly accurate as
possible

include cost for materials and equipment, fees from

institutions, publication costs, travel to collect samples, even
phone bills (miscellaneous)
Line Item Budget - Example
Personal Services..
Maintenance and Operating Expenses..
Travel.
Supplies and Materials
Laboratory Animals
Chemicals
Equipment Charges
Miscellaneous
Correct form, grammar, and punctuation
Precise use of English a must avoid mistakes in spelling,
grammar and punctuation
Examples
After standing in boiling water for an hour, examine the flask.

Employing a straight platinum wire rabbit, sheep and human

blood agar plates were inoculated

Blood samples were taken from 48 informed and consenting

patients the subjects ranged in age from 6 months to 22
years (Pediatr. Res. 6: 26, 1972)
Words and expressions to avoid
A considerable amount of
A considerable number of
Accounted for by the fact
Along the lines of
An adequate amount of
As a result of
As a matter of fact
At the present time
At a rapid rate
At this point in time
Completely full
Despite the fact that
Fatal outcome
For the purpose of
Jargon Preferred Usage
A considerable amount of Much
A considerable number of Many
Accounted for by the fact Because
Along the lines of Like
An adequate amount of Enough
As a result of Because
As a matter of fact In fact (or leave out)
At the present time Now
At a rapid rate Rapidly
At this point in time Now
Completely full Full
Despite the fact that Although
Fatal outcome Death
For the purpose of for
More words and expressions to avoid
Give an account of

Important essentials

In a number of cases

In almost all instances

It has been reported by Smith

It has long been known that

It is generally believed

Referred to as

Subject matter

Take into consideration

We wish to thank
Jargon Preferred Usage

Give an account of Describe

Important essentials Essentials

In a number of cases Some

In almost all instances Nearly always

It has been reported by Smith Smith reported

It has long been known that I havent bothered to look up the reference

It is generally believed Many think

Referred to as Called

Subject matter Subject

Take into consideration Consider

We wish to thank We thank