Writing Research Proposal

CHOOSING A TOPIC
The choice of the topic involves:
1. Determination of the area of available choices
Students are given a free choice of topic within the general scope of the course and more preferable to have topics along the adviser’s line of specialization (microbiology, pathology and immunology, aquaculture and problems in aquatic environment)
2. Narrowing the scope of the topic
Scope must satisfy the criteria of:
a. Worthwhileliness is subjective characteristic. The topic should be of such nature and
scope that, after reading your paper; others will agree that it is worthwhile.
b. Manageability- the topic should be limited enough to allow for the depth of treatment
expected. The adviser may make the eventual judgment but you can tell as you write whether
the scope of the topic you have chosen is forcing you to be superficial in your reading
and writing
c. Availability of information on hand in the library or in some cases the data to be
collected under existing circumstances
3. Statement of the topic in a sentence
The topic should be stated in a thesis sentence or a question. Suppose you decide to study the impact of domestic waste in marine estuary:

Thesis Sentence Question
The dumping of domestic waste affect biodiversity of the marine estuary.
To what extent is domestic waste’s contribution to biodiversity in the estuary?
As you experiment with topic sentence that identifies various aspect of the broad problem you will recognize that the scope is still too large to be manageable. You may only choose one aspect to develop in your proposal and restrict your treatment to one area.
The thesis sentence is a kind of hypothetical proposition that requires evidence in order to support or test. It is a conclusion in search of arguments, basically a deductive approach. The question statement on the other hand begins with a search of information that when correctly assembled, leads to valid conclusion, basically an inductive approach.

INTRODUCTION

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The following are guide questions to help proponent in writing this part:
a. Why did you select this topic?
b. Are there others working along this line?
c. What have they done or not done that moved or spurred you to work on the same or similar line?
d. What are your observations on what is happening around which is relevant to the study?
e. Will the result of the study make any contribution in the attainment of better life?

PROBLEMS AND SUBPROBLEMS
The main problem is stated first and in a similar manner as the title but not necessarily in the same words. A good main problem spells out expected sub-problems that will further qualify this. Sub-problems spring out of the main problem. These sought to support and further qualify the main problem. The variables and factors are stated in the sub-problems. Sub-problems can either be a question or a statement.

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
This segment of introductory part may answer the following questions:
a. Who are the probable users of the research results?
b. In what specific way can the findings be used?
c. Will it have utility to the individual researcher?
d. Will it have community, scientific impact?
e. Will it benefit a particular group of society as a whole? How?
f. What is happening around that make you feel that the problems should be explored?
If the importance is spelled out, this justifies the need for the study.

OBJECTIVES OR HYPOTHESIS
This segment serves as direction to the proponent. What could be the aims to seek in the study? Objectives can be deduced from the sub-problems. These are goals sought with words: To identify, determine, and analyze.
Hypothesis serves the same purpose as objectives, usually stated in null hypothesis form. They are either accepted or rejected. Hypothesis is statistically analyzed.
Main Objectives:
To determine the impact of the composition of domestic waste in Talabaan estuary on micro fauna diversity.
Sub-objectives:
To identify and quantify the composition of domestic waste dumped in Talabaan estuary.
To assess microfauna biodiversity in Talabaan estuary.
Stated in null hypothesis:
There is no significant difference in the microfauna diversity in Talabaan estuary.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY:
Limitations are stated to guide proposal report readers accordingly. Readers may be wanting of more inclusions of the study if the limitation is not stated.

PREPARATION OF A WORKING BIBLIOGRAPHY
Preparation of working bibliography requires:
• Knowledge of library resources
• Ability to use indices to locate references
• A system of recording pertinent sources of information.
• Continuous evaluation of references. Researches should be based on at least 20 literature

A.Library sources
Three following library areas and services should be used: card catalog, periodical indices, Netscape and Internets
B.Reference systems: bibliographies of bibliographies, periodical and subject area indices and card catalogs
C. Preparation of Bibliography Cards
1. Reference that appear to be pertinent to the chosen topic should be listed systematically (working bibliography)to a card in an acceptable bibliographic format for easy revision and final alphabetizing, list each reference in a 3 x 5 card
2. The usual elements of bibliographic entries are:
author or equivalent
title of book or article
facts of publication (place, publisher, date of the book, volume number and
date of periodical and the inclusive page number)

Periodicals:
Briggs, Leslie and David Angell. “Programmed Instruction in Science and Mathemetics.” Review of
Educational Research. 34:354-71. June 1996.

Newspaper
The Times (London). July 17, 1998.

Review:
Hogan, William. “Reversal of the Brownsville Raid.” Rev. of John D. Weaver.The Brownsville Raid
(Norton). San Francis Co. Chronicle. Oct 2, 1972..39. Books. Kennedy, John F. Profile in
Courage. New York: Harper, 1956. 266pp.

Unpublished Sources
Rosenthal, Marilyn. “Poetry of the Spanish Civil War.” Ph.D. Dissertation, New York University,
1972

Interview
Tellere, Edward. Personal interview. Livermore, California, July 12, 1962.

D. Evaluating Reference
Continuing evaluation of references should be made in terms
1. Relevance. Too broad an interpretation could send you off on interesting but not essential paths
2. Source with respect to personal opinion expressed by the author of secondary Primary and secondary sources. Primary sources are usually original and are preferable to secondary sources, which are what someone has said by writing. Distinction however is not always sharp cause a secondary source could also be a primary source.
3. Objectivity. Lack of bias, partisan point of view may be included in the research but they should be recognized and identified as such.
4. Author qualification includes education, experience and allegiance. The author’s allegiance is it commercial, political or religious is extremely important for its possible effect on objectivity.
5. Readability is measured by the degree of understanding gained by the reader from a particular source. If you find that the reference is too technical or advanced to understand, you probably should omit it.

OUTLINING FOR EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION
The framework for organization of a research report is of utmost necessity in its development and completion. Proper organization leads to thoroughness of a paper be it a research, term paper or lab reports. Hence, outlining is a pre-requisite for well-organized written material. A report that presents preliminaries, textual content and references structured in accordance to convention in technical writing results in better quality work and understanding of what is being conveyed.
A research paper must necessarily be planned before it is written. The components of the house taken singly will not put a house and the completion and the beauty is a product of good planning.
General points to consider
1. Be well acquainted for the purpose of the research, your problem, sub-problems and hypothesis. These are the main guidelines for the text of the research report.
2. Design an outline, which will accommodate the specific facts to be included in each of the chapters. In research proposal the four main parts are the following:
a. Introductory material which is composed of specific comments such as background of the study, problems, sub-problems, objectives or hypothesis.
b. Methodology, which if descriptive should include sampling procedure, description of subjects, instruments in gathering data and the treatment.
c. Results and Interpretation. Generally the researcher uses the objectives or hypothesis of the study to guide him in outlining the body, preliminary figures and tables and the schedule of activities, time duration.
d. Culminating chapter includes the summary of results and conclusions deduced from the findings and recommendations.
e. Budgetary Requirements: proposed budget
f. Bibliography
g. Curriculum vitae
3. Outline should possess continuity and unity. This means that it would not just be a collection of headings and sub-headings but each should be related to a given topic. This gives the reader, a focus related to each other giving wholeness to the report.
4. Should be considered in toto as one, the functions of which are all geared to the problems of research. It should give allowance for the readers of a particular study and the purpose of the paper.

PREPARATION OF OUTLINE
An outline presents a unified form of the important components of the paper, Outlining is not easy but there is a systematic way of minimizing difficulties inherent in the presentation of good research report.
1. Know the purpose and aim of the study. You should know this by heart and should rationalize the objective thoroughly. Unless you know the overall objectives of the study, writing the outline would be haphazardly done.
2. Decide the different parts of the paper. Follow the general technical format of a research proposal.
3. Think about the problem areas as well as sub-problem areas under each of these studies. While deliberating on this topic it will be helpful to jot down on facts in form of rough notes. You may eliminate or add materials later as the case maybe. The notes should consider the entire substance of the paper.
4. Study notes and group together that belongs together. It is desirable to group materials in no more than 5 groups.
5. Review the whole research problem and decide on the main points of the outline.
6. Arrange the main point or big sub-point of each considering logic of the subject. Hypothesis is the best guide for research report writing. Research design usually include main hypothesis which could be worded clearly and in brief manner and serve as the main topic.
7. Arrange smaller topics under each main topic in a suitable order.
8. Always remember to consider the arrangement, priorities in the ranking of sub-points under each main point.
9. Check the outline for each chapter because thee first draft may have overlooked important necessary points. Errors are likely to creep especially if the researcher is overly ambitious in including many topics.

REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE
The review of the literature is necessary for any research work to make sure that:
1. Study is not a repetition of a previous work but that some parts are modified or more
variables are used or if this is a replicate of previous works for some reasons.
2. The important past works of others are not overlooked.
3. The cited studies are a verification of findings of past researchers.
4. It helps in the discussion of findings of the study on hand. This part of the manuscript presents in one-way justification of the research project
5. Help in the selection of instruments and tools to use in the study.
A survey of pertinent facts related to the problem is done. In most cases, a researcher conducting descriptive research finds for him a very limited, if none at all of works related to the problem. Mostly, his problem constitutes the first study on its kind and represents new findings. There is no definite number of research studies to be included in the review. The number of reading material to be included depends on:
a) Availability of materials within awareness of the researcher.
b) Library facilities
c) Relevancy of researches already done
d) Provides clue for the problem statement
e) Provide suggestions for instrumentation, data collection and data analysis
f) Provides jump-off place for contemplated research.
g) Provides an estimate of the potential of success of the contemplated research.
h) Provides an awareness of the status of the research in the problem area

General Method/ Procedure for Tracing Materials for Review
1. Available recent review of the subject can be used as background. Read in the original the most pertinent articles used in the review. Remember that the review may be influenced by the point of view of the reviewer. It is imperative that only reading relevant to the study should be included. The first part of the chapter may present general concept, principles, theories related to the study.
2. Indices or abstracts consulted for more recent articles on the subject should be reviewed. Abstracts serves as guide in the selection of articles, when it is impossible to read all materials on the subject.
3. Include current number of journals most apt to contain materials in the topic.
4. Take careful notes on all materials, which pertain to the topic under investigation.
5. Organize and interpret materials.

The Rules:
1. The names of the authors are arranged alphabetically according to surnames.
2. When citing a reference material give the author and year of publication
The results of Jimenez (1998) indicated….
3. Work of 2 or 3 authors: set all names in normal order.
4. Any reference with more than 3 authors: Jimenez et al (1998) have shown that….
5. When citing similar works done by different authors: Similar results have been presented (Frobisher, 2006, Joklik and Smith, 2004, Salle, 20050)

METHODOLOGY
The methodology is a description of the exact methods, designs and techniques in carrying the study. Methods are exact description of the basic and fundamental procedures of approach to follow in bringing out the results of the study. Devices and techniques are tools and instruments used to gather and collect needed data and materials to support the method.
The methodology includes maintaining constants and variables, measurements and weights, organisms, materials and equipment to be used and details the step-by-step procedures for carrying out the research as well as the methods of evaluation to be used. An ideal design gives the greatest amount of reliable information at minimal expense and effort. Oftentimes this poses some difficulty to achieve because of the complexity of the living system, variability in the inherent population, and the unavailability and lack of chemicals and sophisticated equipment in the lab. Hence, it is always very important to know the advantages and disadvantages of each method in order to be effective.
Simple design such as control group and paired group designs are adequate when one pair of variables is to be tested. However, when more variables are studied simultaneously more complex design may be necessary like randomized block or multivariate.

Descriptive Method
1. Identification of problem areas.
2. Review of literature: Usually only very few literatures are available and constitute the first study of its kind and therefore would represent new findings.
3. Design the approach. The researcher should ask himself the following questions:
a. What materials/techniques/instruments are needed to gather the data?
b. How will the data be collected?
c. How will the subject of the study be selected such that it represents the population to be described/tested?
d. What criteria have to be established so that the outcome can be properly evaluated?
e. Are trained personnel necessary in the gathering of data? The different approaches in this type of design are categorized under different classification criteria, which in most cases need mutually exclusive and overlap many conditions.
4. Collection of data. Mapping of location area, the extent of collection, date of collection and collectors.
5. Reporting of the results. Systematic detailed description of the organism, phenomena and description of organism substantiated with photographs, drawings, tables and figures.
Experimental Method allows control over relevant variable, hence, the most scientific and most powerful. On the other hand, it is also most restrictive and artificial. All factors are held constant except the variable.

STEPS IN PLANNING
1. Identify all non-experimental variables, which might contaminate the experiment and determine how to control them.
2. Select a research design suited to the problem.
3. Plan for a definite sampling design
4. Select or construct and validate instruments to be used.
5. Outline procedures for collecting data, and possibly conduct a pilot study or trial run to perfect experimental design.
6. Decide on the data analysis plan. State the statistical or null hypothesis.

CHEDULE OF RESEARCH WORK

Name: ________________________ Course:_____________________

Activities Date Due Date Finished Adviser’s Signature
1. Submission of Topic
2. Rationale (at least 5)
3. Making a preliminary statement of the problem, objectives and significance of the study
4. Using Library Tools
a. card catalogue
b. general bibliography
c. general subject matter tools
d. special fields
e. preliminary checklist of library tool
f. preliminary checklist of subject heading
5. Preparing the working bibliography
(at least 2003 or later)
6. Making Preliminary Outline
7. Making sentence outline
8. Submission of the Review of Literature
9. Research methodology
10. Final draft for thesis panel
11.Proposal defense
12.Experimental run