Proposal
A research proposal is a document written for the purpose of obtaining funding for a research project.Components of a research proposal
Title page
Project summary
Project description
Ethical considerations
Timetable
Problems anticipated
Budget
References
Title page should provide information on:
• Project title
• Principal investigator(s)
• Institution
• Duration of the project
Project summary
The project summary should be carefully written. It will be the first (and may be the only) part read by the reviewers. It should reveal persuasively the importance and the strengths of the project.
Objective(s)
Specific objectives are statements of the research question(s). Objectives should be simple (not complex), specific (not vague), and stated in advance (not after the research is done).
Methodology
The methodology section has to be thought out carefully and written in full detail. It is the most important part of the protocol. It should include information on the research design, the research subjects, interventions introduced, observations to be made and sample size.
Data management and analysis
The protocol should provide information on how the data will be managed, including data coding for computer analysis, monitoring and verification. Information should also be provided on the available computer facility. The statistical methods used for the analysis of data should be clearly outlined.
Project description
explain why the project is important to do & indicate its relevance to the particular lines of interest of the funding agency. Pilot studies, if already done, are important to demonstrate the feasibility of the research.
Ethical considerations
Ethical issues and concerns should be addressed fully in the research proposal.
Timetable
The timetable should estimate the duration for collection of data, pilot study, final analysis of data and writing up the report.
Problems anticipated
The investigators should demonstrate their awareness of obstacles and difficulties, which may interfere with the successful completion of the project within the timeframe and cost proposed.
Budget
The budget request should be itemized and each item should be justified
References
A number of recent references on the subject should be cited in support of the proposal