1. Writing PhD Research Proposal
Prof Dr Normah Omar
Director
Accounting Research Institute (ARI)
23rd November 2011
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

2. PhD Research Methodology Workshop
Outline
Overview of what constitutes research
Overview of what research proposal should highlight
Components of Research Proposal
Your research proposal…
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

3. Research - Review
An intellectual and creative activity carried out on a systematic basis in order to discover/prove/find evidences about something new or unknown

4. Research - Review
Research is an organised, systematic, data-based, critical and scientific enquiry into specific problem that needs a solution

5. Research Proposal
An Overall Plan, Scheme, Structure and Strategy Designed to Obtain Answers to the Research Questions or Problems which Constitute Your Research Project

6. Proposal is like a Construction Plan
Add the details
Brief Concept/idea
You Start with a Clear
Vision of What You Want
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

7. Research Proposal: Two Main Functions
1 General Function: Outline the Operational Plan for Obtaining Answers to Your Research Questions
2 Technical Function: Specify and Ensure the Methodology for Control of Variance

8. FOR FUNCTION 1, RESEARCH PROPOSAL MUST INDICATE:
WHAT You Are Proposing To Do
HOW You Plan To Proceed
WHY You Selected The Proposed Strategy
WHEN You Want To Conduct Your Study
WHERE Will The Study Takes Place

9. FOR FUNCTION 2, RESEARCH PROPOSAL SHOULD INDICATE:
Procedure To Test the Validity and Reliability of Data
That Variables Chosen are Appropriate and Workable in Terms of Obtaining Answers to Your Research Questions

10. Research Proposal: Academic Requirements
It Must Contain Appropriate References in the Body of the Text and a Bibliography at the End
Your Survey of the Relevant Literature Should Cover Major Publications on the Topic - Literature Review

11. PhD Research Methodology Workshop
For PhD research:
You research contribution(s) must be significant
And it (they) must be original
Make sure these two elements are still there until you completed your VIVA
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

12. PhD Research Methodology Workshop
Common Mistakes
Topic is too broad/general
Research Problem is not clear
Research objective is not clear
Research questions/hypothesis
Critical LR
Inability to identify gap
Unclear PhD Research Contribution
Flow of thought
Unclear PhD Research Significance
Lack Theoretical Framework
Unclear Proposed Methodology
Sampling
Instrument
Measurement
Analysis
Ineffective use of diagrams, Tables, Figures
Out of date references
Poor Writing Skills
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

13. Proposal: Putting Your Ideas Well in Advance
What is it you want to research on?
Topic of research
Working title
Keywords
Preliminary literature search
Why you want to do this research?
Problem statement
Research gap?
Is it important to solve this?
Significant research contribution?
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

14. Proposal: Putting Your Ideas Well in Advance
Where about will this research be covering?
Population & Sampling
Research Setting
When will this research be conducted?
Scope of research
Period of study
How will this research be conducted?
Methodology
Measurement, Instrumentation, Analysis
Will you solve the problem?
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

15. Where & How to Start? Own experience Own environment Talking to others
Own Reading
1. General Idea
Lots of Readings 2.
Refine your Idea 3.
Identify Gap(s) 4.
5. Identify Issue or Research Problem
More Readings
Availability of previous works
PhD Contributions
Journals
Books
Theses
Proceedings
More Readings
Own Interest
Develop key words
Ask questions
More Readings
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

16. PhD Research Methodology Workshop
Proposal Contents
Title (Working Title)
Preamble/Introduction
Short Statement of the Problem
Research Objectives
Research Questions/Hypothesis
Review of Research Literature
The Design - Methods and Procedures
Tentative Time Table
References
Attachments/Appendixes
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

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1. Title (Working Title)
Must be accurate, descriptive and concise (e.g word limit). May include variables and/or a mention of population.
Note that you are only ready to devise a title when you are clear of the focus of the study
Choose a topic which can be investigated through appropriate & valid methods & for which research materials are available
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

18. 2. Preamble/Introduction
The preamble/introduction provides readers with the background information for the research
Relate the transformation of a “general idea” to a more “refined topic”
½ page
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

19. 3. Short Statement of the Problem
Give a short summary of the research problem that you have identified (15-20 lines). SPEND TIME TO GET THE PROBLEM CORRECTLY IDENTIFIED
Remember, the most important aspect of a research proposal is CLARITY of the research problem
A problem might be defined as the issue that exists in the literature, theory, or practice that leads to a need for the study
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

20. PhD Research Methodology Workshop
4. Research Objectives
Give a concise and clear research objectives that you want to achieve through your research project
It should be a measure of outcome NOT mean
If the objective is not clear to the writer, it cannot be clear to the reader.
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

21. 5. Research Questions/Hypothesis
Premised on the problem statement identified, list possible research questions that could be asked in order to achieve the research objectives of the study
Hypothesis are research questions that could be statistically tested
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

22. 6. Review of the Literature
Give a short and precise overview about the present state of research that is immediately connected to your own research projects
The review of the literature provides the background and context for the research problem. Name the most important contributions of other studies
Demonstrate to the reader that you have a comprehensive grasp of the field and are aware of important recent substantive and methodological developments
Give a clear discussion of the theoretical framework that can be used to frame the study
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

23. Review of the Literature
State clearly how your own research contributes to existing body of knowledge
Avoid statements that imply that little has been done in the area or that what has been done is too extensive to permit easy summary. Statements of this sort are usually taken as indications that the writer is not really familiar with the literature.
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

24. Literature Review Year Author (Source) Variables Methods
Model /Framework
Conclusion
Earliest
Latest
Gap
Your Study
Comments

25. 7. The Design - Methods and Procedures
This is the central part of your research proposal.
The methods or procedures section is really the heart of the research proposal. The activities should be described with as much detail as possible, and the continuity between them should be apparent
Indicate the methodological steps you will take to answer every question or to test every hypothesis illustrated in the Questions/Hypotheses section.
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

26. The Design - Methods and Procedures
All research is plagued by the presence of confounding variables (the noise that covers up the information you would like to have).
Confounding variables should be minimized by various kinds of controls or be estimated and taken into account by randomization processes
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

27. Quantitative VS Qualitative
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

28. The Design - Methods and Procedures
In the design section, indicate
the variables you propose to control and how you propose to control them, experimentally or statistically, and
the variables you propose to randomize, and the nature of the randomizing unit (students, grades, schools, etc.).
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

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Main Components:
Sampling
The key reason for being concerned with sampling is that of validity—the extent to which the interpretations of the results of the study follow from the study itself and the extent to which results may be generalized to other situations with other people
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

30. PhD Research Methodology Workshop
Main Components:
1. Sampling
Sampling is critical to external validity—the extent to which findings of a study can be generalized to people or situations other than those observed in the study.
To generalize validly the findings from a sample to some defined population requires that the sample has been drawn from that population according to one of several probability sampling plans
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

31. PhD Research Methodology Workshop
Main Components:
Instrumentations
Outline the instruments you propose to use (surveys, scales, interview protocols, observation grids).
If instruments have previously been used, identify previous studies and findings related to reliability and validity.
If instruments have not previously been used, outline procedures you will follow to develop and test their reliability and validity (e.g. pilot study)
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

32. PhD Research Methodology Workshop
Main Components:
Instrumentations (cont)
Because selection of instruments in most cases provides the operational definition of constructs, this is a crucial step in the proposal
Include an appendix with a copy of the instruments to be used or the interview protocol to be followed.
Also include sample items in the description of the instrument.
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

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Main Components:
Data Collection
Outline the general plan for collecting the data. This may include survey administration procedures, interview or observation procedures.
Include an explicit statement covering the field controls to be employed. If appropriate, discuss how you obtained entré.
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

34. PhD Research Methodology Workshop
Main Components:
Data Collection
Outline the general plan for collecting the data. This may include survey administration procedures, interview or observation procedures.
Include an explicit statement covering the field controls to be employed. If appropriate, discuss how you obtained entré.
Provide a general outline of the time schedule you expect to follow.
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

35. PhD Research Methodology Workshop
Main Components:
Data Analysis
Specify the procedures you will use, and label them accurately (e.g., ANOVA, MANCOVA, HLM, ethnography, case study, grounded theory). If coding procedures are to be used, describe in reasonable detail.
If you triangulated, carefully explain how you went about it. Communicate your precise intentions and reasons for these intentions to the reader. This helps you and the reader evaluate the choices you made and procedures you followed.
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

36. PhD Research Methodology Workshop
Main Components:
Data Analysis
Indicate briefly any analytic tools you will have available and expect to use (e.g., Ethnograph, NUDIST, AQUAD, SAS, SPSS, SYSTAT).
Provide a well thought-out rationale for your decision to use the design, methodology, and analyses you have selected.
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

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8. Tentative Time Table
Give if possible, in a table format, information about your estimated time table, indicating the sequence of research phases and the time that you probably need for each phase
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

38. PhD Research Methodology Workshop
9. References
Only references cited in the text are included in the reference list; however, exceptions can be found to this rule. For example, if the research committees may require evidence that you are familiar with a broader spectrum of literature than that immediately relevant to your research. In such instances, the reference list may be called a bibliography.
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

39. 10. Attachments/Appendixes
The need for complete documentation generally dictates the inclusion of appropriate appendixes in proposals
The following materials are appropriate for an appendix:
Verbatim instructions to participants.
Original scales or questionnaires. If an instrument is copyrighted, permission in writing to reproduce the instrument from the copyright holder or proof of purchase of the instrument.
Interview protocols.
Sample of informed consent forms.
Cover letters sent to appropriate stakeholders.
Official letters of permission to conduct research.
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

40. PhD Research Methodology Workshop
THANK YOU
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

41. Let’s Review Your Research Proposal
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

42. PROPOSAL FOR DOCTOR OF ACCOUNTANCY (AC 990)
Integrating Target Costing (TC) Indicators within the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) model:
An Empirical Evidence of Malaysian Companies Capabilities
PREPARED BY:
HUSSEIN HUSSEIN HAMOOD SHARAF ADDIN
( ) - (Full-Time)
PhD Research Methodology Workshop

43. PhD Research Methodology Workshop
Refine your proposal
Write concept papers
1st paper
2nd paper
3rd paper
PhD Research Methodology Workshop