HOW TO WRITE A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
HOW TO WRITE A RESEARCH PROPOSAL FOR A
FELLOWSHIP
By
Alkhansa Osama Dai Elnaiem
Mohamed
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OVERVIEW
A-What is a Research Proposal?
B-What is a research proposal for A fellowship?
C -Definition of Terms (Cover Letter –Letter of Reference –
Abstract-Personal Statement- Qualification -APA format)
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A-WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROPOSAL?
“A document that is typically written by a scientist
or academic which describes the ideas for an
investigation on a certain topic.”
-The research proposal outlines the process from
beginning to end and may be used to:
1- Request financing for a project.
-
2- Certification for participation in a project.
-
3- Required task before beginning a college
dissertation.
-
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A Research Proposal Must Answer Three Questions:
What do you plan to accomplish?
Why do you want to do it?
How are you going to do it?
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RESEARCH PROPOSAL TEMPLATE
1-Title.
2-Introduction.
3-Literature Review.
4-Research Question(s).
5 -Rationale
6-Objective(s)
7-Methodology
(Study population, Study design, Study area, Sample size,
Sample collection, Data Collection, Data analysis)
8- Ethical consideration.
9-Budget
10-References
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
TITLE
The title of the research proposal (protocol) should convey
the main purpose (research question) of the
research.
The title is usually the first part of the protocol to be read
and therefore should convey maximum
information in fewer words (not more than 12-15 words)
than any other part of the protocol.
it should indicate the area of research, introduce the
research question and specify the research method to be
used.
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INTRODUCTION
-The problem proposed to be studied is introduced in this
section.
-It should help the reader to acquaint with the topic, should
be short about one or two pages.
-The problem should be stated in such a way that it’s
importance and relevance is realized by any one who
reads it.
BACKGROUND
(REVIEW OF LITERATURE)
-This section reflects extensive review of literature done by the
investigator what is already known about the topic is written including
the lacunae.
-Just quoting the literature will not serve the purpose .
-It is important to make it coherent, relevant and easily readable
knowledge
-It helps the investigator to gain good knowledge in that field of inquiry
And to have insight on different methodologies that could be applied.
EXAMPLES OF A RESEARCH QUESTION?
1-What is the environmental impact of the disposal
of plastic water bottles?
2-Does drinking alcohol in college impact a
student's GPA?
3-Are children who play video games more likely
to be violent?
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OBJECTIVE
-This is a very important and pivotal section and
everything else in the study is centered around it.
-The objective of the proposed study should be stated
very clearly, specific, achievable and measurable.
-Too many objectives to be avoided.
-Even just one clearly stated relevant objective for a
study would be good enough.
If there is more than one objective the objectives can be
presented in the appropriate order of importance.
Tip:
Always check the program online website to
be aware of their requirements and policy
regarding research proposal.
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SECTION 2
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WHAT IS A FELLOWSHIP?
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WHAT IS A FELLOWSHIP?
Prodige answered 6 years ago
(....Most often fellowships are programs that
institutions offer which pay you monetary funds for you
to work in a specific field, usually at the graduate or
post-graduate level or medical school.
Fellowships are usually for students who have a
promising future and a specific interests that parallels
the interests of the institution offering the fellowship.
Besides monetary funds, fellowships may provide
training in a specific area.
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For example, the fellowship that I am doing right now
pays me 5000 dollars for 5 weeks and I have to teach a class
at the university as well as conduct 2 presentations on my
dissertation. They pay for my living expenses because my
research interests are in line with faculty members at this
university.
fellowships may provide training in a specific area. For
example, the fellowship that I am doing right now pays me
5000 dollars for 5 weeks to teach a class at the university as
well as conduct 2 presentations on my dissertation.
They pay for my living expenses because my research
interests are in line with faculty members at this
university…….)
**Personal Experience; I am a PhD Student in the
Communication field
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COVER LETTER
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ABSTRACT
“The Genetics of Bone Strength in Mice”
Jonathan Vu and Robert Blank (Mentor), Endocrinology
The purpose of this study is to identify relationships between the
physical and genetic characteristics of bones in mice. The
physical characteristics include size, density, and the force
required to break the bone, while the genetic ones are the genes
of the marker loci associated with the genes that affect these
qualities. This study uses strains of mice with reduced genetic
variation. The two strains of mice that are the most
phenotypically extreme, meaning those with the strongest and
weakest bones, are crossed. The F2 generation from that cross
is then analyzed. The results of this analysis can be used to find
which genotypes correlate with specific bone properties like size,
density, and failure load. The anticipated outcome of this lab is
the identification of the genotypes that affect bone strength in
mice. The findings may be useful in treating medical conditions 18
that are related to bone strength.
APA FORMAT
APA style is a format for academic documents such as
journal articles and books. It is codified in the style
guide of the American Psychological Association
(APA).
The APA guidelines were developed :
1-To assist reading comprehension in the social and
behavioral sciences.
2-For clarity of communication.
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APA FORMAT EXAMPLE
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Example of Some
Programs That Offer
Fellowships
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FROM PROPOSAL
TO
ACTUAL PRODUCT…
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‫الحمدهلل‬
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REFERENCES
http://www.writeawriting.com/academic-writing/research/project-proposal
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/APA_style
http://libguides.lmu.edu/content.php?pid=10084&sid=1965
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http://www.pasadena.edu/hstutoringlab/apa/paperformat.c
fm
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http://www.nsf.gov/publications/ods/results.jsp?TextQuer
y=biotechnology&docType=0&docSubtype=0&Search3.
x=8&Search3.y=11
http://engineering.stanford.edu/portals/student/internati
onal-students
http://undergraduateresearch.duke.edu/started/writingresearch-proposals
http://writing.wisc.edu/Handbook/presentations_abstract
s_examples.html
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