The Research Proposal

Purpose Guidelines for preparing and evaluating a research brief and proposal Understand the purpose of a research proposal in research process

Recall… The preliminary discussions and agreements stage of the research process represent a negotiation of what the focus of research should be Following this stage, but prior to primary research the research supplier presents the client with a plan for executing research Client will either approve, modify, or reject the plan

Steps in the Process Client 1. Business problem identified 2. Problem defined and refined 3. Need for research identified. Information needs clarified 4. Brief prepared by the client and sent to researcher 10. Proposal reviewed: suitability of approach; experience; timings; cost 11. Project Start meeting Researcher 5. Agency examines the brief 6. Information needs examined. Background research completed 7. Discussion with client: problem, context, decision to be made, info needs 8. Research design prepared and costed 9. Proposal prepared and sent to client 12. Project start

The Research Plan The research plan is formally known as a research proposal The research proposal presents a thorough explanation of the team’s approach to research

Goals for the research proposal Must demonstrate a researcher’s understanding of the business concern and how research can address the problem Should also show that the researcher has the expertise to address the problem through quality research that will provide the information to address the problem

Contents of a research proposal Introduction and background to the problem Statements of the research objectives Approach to the research Deliverables, timetable and costs Relevant previous experience and project team CVs Terms and conditions of business

Evaluating a proposal Research proposals will be evaluated (by the client) to ensure that the research approach as explained will deliver the information required - based on the problem and the research objectives - based on the research design - based on timing and costs - based on experience of researchers