how to write research proposal in ethiopia

How to Write a Medical Research Proposal

Health research has high value to society. It can provide important information about disease trends and risk factors, outcomes of treatment or public health interventions, functional abilities, patterns of care, and health care costs and use. Health research, medical education and clinical practice form the three pillars of modern day medical practice which all pursued by a wide range of people. It’s a known that a medical research proposal is the first step to in a research career. For this it’s a very important document to invest one’s time and effort. In this article we will try to see what a research proposal is and the basic structures one should include on formulating it.

Whats a research proposal?

A research proposal is a detailed description of a proposed study designed to investigate a given problem. 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. Broadly the research proposal must address the following questions regardless of your research area and the methodology you choose:

• What you plan to accomplish,
• why do you want to do it and
• how are you going to do it.

A research proposal should include the following elements to achieve its purpose

1.Title : which should be concise, descriptive, informative and catchy. An effective title not only prick’s the readers interest, but also predisposes him/her favorably towards the proposal.

2.Abstract : It is a brief summary of approximately 300 words. It should include the main research question, the rationale for the study, the hypothesis (if any) and the method.

3.Introduction : should encompass the following

• Introduces your topic
• States your problem statement and the questions your research aims to answer.
• Provides context for your research

4.Objectives:  these are the goals to be achieved by conducting the research. They may be stated as ‘general’ and ‘specific’.

• The general objective  of the research is what is to be accomplished by the research project.
• The specific objectives  relate to the specific research questions the investigator wants to answer through the proposed study.

5.Variables : it is necessary to identify the key variables of the study and their method of measurement and unit of measurement must be clearly indicated. Four types of variables are important in research:

• Independent variables : variables that are manipulated or treated in a study in order to see what effect differences in them will have on those variables proposed as being dependent on them.
• Dependent variables : variables in which changes are results of the level or amount of the independent variable or variables.
• Confounding or intervening variables : variables that should be studied because they may influence or ‘mix’ the effect of the independent variables.
• Background variables : variables that are so often of relevance in investigations of groups or populations that they should be considered for possible inclusion in the study.

6.Questions and/ or hypotheses : A hypothesis can be defined as a tentative prediction or explanation of the relationship between two or more variables.

7.Methodology : This section is very important because it tells your research Committee how you plan to tackle your research problem. The guiding principle for writing the Methods section is that it should contain sufficient information for the reader to determine whether the methodology is sound. This section should include:

• Research design : The selection of the research strategy is the core of research design and is probably the single most important decision the investigator has to make. The choice of the strategy must be explained in relation to the study objectives.
• Research subjects or participants
• Sample size : The proposal should provide information and justification about sample size in this methodology section.
• Interventions : any intervention used should be mentioned.
• Ethical issues : Ethical considerations apply to all types of health research.
• The Informed consent form (informed decision-making) : A consent form, where appropriate, must be developed and attached to the proposal. It should be written in the prospective subjects’ mother tongue and in simple language which can be easily understood by the subject. The use of medical terminology should be avoided as far as possible.
• Ethics checklist : The proposal must describe the measures that will be undertaken to ensure that the proposed research is carried out in accordance with the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki on Ethical Principles for Medical research involving Human Subjects.
• Research setting : The research setting includes all the pertinent facets of the study, such as the population to be studied (sampling frame), the place and time of study.
• Study instruments : these are the tools by which the data are collected. For validated questionnaires/interview schedules, reference to published work should be given and the instrument appended to the proposal.
• Collection of data : A short description of the protocol of data collection
• Data analysis :  The description should include the design of the analysis form, plans for processing and coding the data and the choice of the statistical method to be applied to each data.
• Monitoring, supervision and quality control : Detailed statement about the all logistical issues should be mentioned
• Gantt chart : A Gantt chart is an overview of tasks/proposed activities and a time frame for the same. You put weeks, days or months at one side, and the tasks at the other. You draw fat lines to indicate the period the task will be performed to give a timeline for your research study.

• Significance of the study : Indicate how your research will refine, revise or extend existing knowledge in the area under investigation. This is where you explain how your research will benefit tconcerned stakeholders.
• Dissemination of the study results : this is where you explain the way you present your study findings.
• Budget : A proposal budget with item wise/activity wise breakdown and justification for the same. Indicate how will the study be financed.
• References : The proposal should end with relevant references on the subject. For web-based search include the date of access for the cited website, for example: add the sentence “accessed on November 18, 2011”.

For a well-structured medical research proposal template CLICK HERE 

Also see, 23 free online courses for health professionals .

MedInEthiopia

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• How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates

Published on October 12, 2022 by Shona McCombes and Tegan George. Revised on November 21, 2023.

A research proposal describes what you will investigate, why it’s important, and how you will conduct your research.

The format of a research proposal varies between fields, but most proposals will contain at least these elements:

Introduction

Literature review.

• Research design

Reference list

While the sections may vary, the overall objective is always the same. A research proposal serves as a blueprint and guide for your research plan, helping you get organized and feel confident in the path forward you choose to take.

Table of contents

Research proposal purpose, research proposal examples, research design and methods, contribution to knowledge, research schedule, other interesting articles, frequently asked questions about research proposals.

Academics often have to write research proposals to get funding for their projects. As a student, you might have to write a research proposal as part of a grad school application , or prior to starting your thesis or dissertation .

In addition to helping you figure out what your research can look like, a proposal can also serve to demonstrate why your project is worth pursuing to a funder, educational institution, or supervisor.

Research proposal length

The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.

One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.

Download our research proposal template

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Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.

• Example research proposal #1: “A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management”
• Example research proposal #2: “Medical Students as Mediators of Change in Tobacco Use”

Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:

• The proposed title of your project
• Your supervisor’s name
• Your institution and department

The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.

Your introduction should:

• Introduce your topic
• Give necessary background and context
• Outline your  problem statement  and research questions

To guide your introduction , include information about:

• Who could have an interest in the topic (e.g., scientists, policymakers)
• How much is already known about the topic
• What is missing from this current knowledge
• What new insights your research will contribute
• Why you believe this research is worth doing

As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review  shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.

In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:

• Comparing and contrasting the main theories, methods, and debates
• Examining the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches
• Explaining how will you build on, challenge, or synthesize prior scholarship

Following the literature review, restate your main  objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.

To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasize again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.

For example, your results might have implications for:

• Improving best practices
• Informing policymaking decisions
• Strengthening a theory or model
• Challenging popular or scientific beliefs
• Creating a basis for future research

Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .

Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.

Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.

Download our research schedule template

If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.

Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:

• Cost : exactly how much money do you need?
• Justification : why is this cost necessary to complete the research?
• Source : how did you calculate the amount?

To determine your budget, think about:

• Travel costs : do you need to go somewhere to collect your data? How will you get there, and how much time will you need? What will you do there (e.g., interviews, archival research)?
• Materials : do you need access to any tools or technologies?
• Help : do you need to hire any research assistants for the project? What will they do, and how much will you pay them?

If you want to know more about the research process , methodology , research bias , or statistics , make sure to check out some of our other articles with explanations and examples.

Methodology

• Sampling methods
• Simple random sampling
• Stratified sampling
• Cluster sampling
• Likert scales
• Reproducibility

 Statistics

• Null hypothesis
• Statistical power
• Probability distribution
• Effect size
• Poisson distribution

Research bias

• Optimism bias
• Cognitive bias
• Implicit bias
• Hawthorne effect
• Anchoring bias
• Explicit bias

Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .

Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.

I will compare …

A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.

Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.

A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.

A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.

A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.

All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.

Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.

Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.

The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.

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McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, November 21). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved August 20, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/research-process/research-proposal/

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GUIDELINE FOR GRADUATE/MASTERS THESIS RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING IN AMBO UNIVERSITY

2020, RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITTING METHEDOLOGY

Introduction Dear student, you are expected to write a robust research proposal. To achieve your goal you need to know certain research basics. This guideline enables you write a good research proposal. However, the guideline is not a blue print for your work and it just gives you a good direction. Hence, you are expected to work in close collaboration with your senior advisor to undertake the desired high quality research work which will shape your future. The guideline will introduce you to components of thesis research proposal. Brief explanation will be given on each part of the proposal. The proposal will have two major components. The first component of the proposal is preliminary pages (List of acronyms and abbreviations; declaration of plagiarism, list of tables, list of figures, etc.). The second component of the proposal contains introduction: Background of the research project, statement of the research problem, research questions/hypothesis, objectives of the thesis research proposal, scope and limitation of the study, significance of the research, conceptual framework of your thesis research proposal, and proposed thesis proposal structure; literature review-intensive and extensive literature review on the research topic; research methodology-description of the study area, sampling methods and procedures, , methods of data collection, methods of data analysis; work plan-list of realistic research activities with time frame (use chart); budget breakdown-list of realistic budget items with estimated cost and grand total cost (use table); and references. Brief explanation on each part of the second component of the proposal is presented hereunder.

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Writing a research proposal for an early career researcher is one of the toughest part of research work. A research proposal is a blueprint to conduct research work and a well-structured proposal provides smooth functioning for the proposed research. Generally, young researchers face various types of problem in structuring a good research proposal in absence of proper guidelines, steps and strategies. This paper aims to provide a general guideline to the students and researchers to develop a wellstructured research proposal for the purpose of PhD/dissertation/research projects, etc. The concept and significance of a research proposal, how to start research work, the process of producing and appropriate sections for a good research proposal has been discussed in great detail.

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A research proposal is a pre-written document which gives an overview of the research tactics. It gives a general idea of the objectives to be achieved and the ways and means to achieve it. Writing research proposal is however a challenging feat. Due to lack of clear guidance from any source, there are many substandard research proposals which are placed before evaluation committee. The researcher came across various people who had no clear understanding of the process and structure of research proposal or research design. This problem has led the researcher to develop a framework to guide the prospective researchers in framing their research design based on the following research questions.1) what is the procedure of writing the research proposal 2) what are the components of the research proposal.So, to give a clear picture about the problem the paper is divided into two parts I) Procedure of writing the research proposal II) Components of the research proposal. The procedure for writing the research proposal is discussed with regards to: 1) Identifying the problem 2) Deciding on the topic 3) Deciding the locale of study 4) Deciding on the data needs 5) Planning the source of data collection 6) Plotting down ways to collect data 7) Identifying methods for analyzing data collection 8) Establishing a basis for designing the Proposal. While the components of research proposal are discussed with regards to : 1) Cover page 2) Abstract 3) Keywords 4) Introduction 5) Review of literature 6) Statement of problem 7) Objectives of the study 8) Hypothesis of the study 9) Period of study 10) Methodology 11) Data analysis 12) Limitation of the study 13) Chapter framework 14) References 15) Appendices.

S M Mukarram Jahan

A research proposal is a serious statement that addresses a researcher’s intent to conduct a study on a phenomenon and a plan about how to perform the research. Students usually undertake research under the guidance of a supervisor from faculty in tandem with assistance and supervision of other faculty members. Thus, the proposal should be a clear statement of intent that aims at elucidating the plan of research to make it feasible and acceptable for all parties concerned. The most essential characteristic of a research proposal is that it should be sufficient to present the researcher’s idea or question and expected outcomes with clarity and definition (the what). It should also make a case for the reason the researcher’s focus of study is significant and the value that it will bring to the discipline under study (the why).

Langley, BC: Trinity Western University. …

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