1. Research Proposal Choosing a Research Topic

2. What is a research proposal A proposal is a written presentation of an intended research specifying the problem, the method and resource implication of the study. It is an overview of the intended research describing the research problem, objectives, scope, literature review and methodology to be employed.

3. Choosing a research topic A topic is a subject to be researched, analyzed and interpreted. It is thematic statement of what the research is all about. It may arise as a problem to be solved or as an issue to be better understood. It may involve conditions which the researcher wants to improve, difficulties to be eliminated, or questions for which immediate answers are needed.

4. Choosing a topic.. Start by identifying a wide area of interest or concern and then narrow that area to a manageable set of research questions. A good research topic will focus the direction of research and position the central concept of the research at an early stage. A research topic should have a subject and an object, and should define the variables and population of the study in a brief statement or phrase of about 12 words It is a concise and specific statement that encompasses succinctly all the essential elements of the study.

5. Choosing… First step in identifying research topic is to identify a broad problem that is closely related to ones’ interest or professional goals. Examples ◦ Web 2.0 and Social media ◦ Information literacy ◦ Informetrics and web-ometrics  The researcher now seeks out specific research problems.  A research topic should clearly indicate what is to be investigated (subject and object) as well as where the study will be conducted.

6. Sources of research topics Personal experiences: a topic can be suggested from ones’ experiences and personal observations. Deduction from existing theories: theories are general principles whose applicability to specific problems or situations are not known until empirically tested. Through research one can determine whether the generalizations embodied in the theory can be translated into specific recommendations for practice.

7. Sources… Formal needs assessment: A careful assessment of needs may reveal problems that may require research to solve. Literature sources: Most completed researches contains recommendations for further research. A research topic may result from such recommendations. A researcher may also wish to replicate another study. Replication may be to check trends or change over time; check generalization and validity of findings; correct faulty methodology.

8. Factors to consider in choosing a topic Personal interest in the topic ( likely to motivate the researcher). Importance of the research Time available. A good topic should be able to be accomplished within the given time. Research skills. The researcher should consider whether she/he has the necessary skills required for the study. The cost. It is necessary to consider the cost of conducting and reporting a study and be sure it will be accommodated. Ethical issues: some topic may raise ethical issues which the researcher may not easily overcome.

9. Formulation of the title The title should then be planned and formulated well For title page should follow the GSREC guidelines. Title on top, followed by Full Names of researcher; the award for which the proposal is intended ( Proposal Submitted in Partial Fulfillment for the requirements of the Degree of---; Date of submission

10. Chapter One: Introduction The purpose of the introduction is to provide a basis of the study. It provides the background and the setting required to put the research problem in context. The first part of your introduction is to provide a global overview and historical dimension of the topic to be investigated. This should then be narrowed down to the area of the study.

11. Introduction Background of the study – should provide conceptual and contextual setting of the study. Conceptual setting: The researcher should provide literal definitions which should be obtained from various authoritative sources. Various authors may provide different definitions and this informs the reader of the meaning of the terms or variables. The second definition is working definition where the researcher provides a working definition in context of the study.

12. Conceptual setting The working definition may be adapted from a range of literal definitions. The researcher should justify why he/she has adapted a working definition. Operational definitions: It is important to give operational definitions to clarify exactly what meaning a researcher attaches to a concept in context of the study. This may be provided at the beginning or end of chapter one.

13. Contextual Setting The researcher describe each variable showing the problems associated with each and exposing the gaps in the context of the study. Example?

14. Research Problem A statement of the problem refers to what the researcher has identified as existing in literature, theory or practice. It is a condition which needs to be probed and a solution found. It may arise from issues, difficulties, current practices or problems that need to be solved or better understood. It may arise from existing theories related to current social and political issues, practical situations or personal experiences.

15. Research Problem It may be a state of affairs that need to be changed, system not working as it ought to. Difficulties to be eliminated. A research problem is therefore a need or discrepancy that can only be solved through collection and analysis of data. It is a discrepancy between desired status and actual status. It is a discrepancy which is not understood but for which possible solution exist through research.

16. How do you identify a research problem? The following may probe some thoughts: Issues attracting attention that need investigation. Unanswered questions Missing links Imbalances Unsatisfactory state of affairs Problems of adjustment to technological advances

17. Stating the research problem (Statement of the Problem) State it in very clear, precise and non-ambiguous terms. 1. Describe the ideal: this is a description of things as they should be. A description of expected performance, status, conditions or relationships between the variables if everything were to work according to plan. The researcher should provide authoritative sources to reinforce the idea of relationships.

18. Statement of … 2. Describe the actual performance, status, conditions or relationships as they are on the ground. This is referred to as defining the problem The researcher should analyze the problem in occurrence, intensity, distribution and other measures for which data is already available. The aim is to gather as much relevant information about what is currently known about the problem.

19. Statement of.. One need to review literature, examine current statistics, seek educated opinions from people concerned with the problem. The description of the actual focus should focus on the object (dependent variables) of the study. For example, a researcher should describe: ◦ Incidences and prevalence of the problem ◦ Geographical areas affected by the problem ◦ Characteristics of the people affected by the problem. ◦ Possible solutions or what can be done

20. 3. Describe the discrepancy between the ideal and the actual practice This is the discrepancy that form the basis of investigation. This discrepancy is the problem. Step 1, 2, 3 should be described in separate paragraphs in that order. The problem is therefore the difference between the ideal and actual statuses. If the actual and the ideal are the same then there is no problem.

21. A Well Stated Problem Should: Clarify what is exactly to be solved or be determined Should be written in a clear and non-technical language. Should identify the area of concern Contain the variables and the target population to be studied. Restrict the scope of the study to a specific questions or hypotheses. Be feasible and amenable to research.

22. Well stated.. Not raise or overlook ethical concerns Be original: a good problem should be original and not duplicating what has already be solved. Be significant: it should result in advancement of knowledge and therefore should make useful contribution to body of knowledge.

23. Purpose or aim of the study The purpose or research aim is the general intention of research. It identifies the goal of the study. It elaborate the title of the study by presenting a quick overview of the study itself. It link the title with the research problem through a brief and specific terms. The purpose statement establishes the direction of the study by capturing in a single line or paragraph the essence of the study.

24. Purpose… It provides a specific and accurate synopsis of the overall intent or aim of the study. It must be precise and concise A good statement should: Clearly mention the central concept being explored. Provide a general definition of the central concept Specify the variables and relationships between them

25. Purpose.. Describe the unit (respondents) of the study Describe the expected output of the study.

26. Specific Objectives Research objectives, questions and hypothesis have the same characteristics but different wordings. Objectives state the intentions of the study while research questions ask the intentions of the study, while hypotheses suggest a relationship. Objectives are specific aims or goals arising directly from purpose of the study. They are the statements of intended specific outcomes that specify more directly what the researcher is going to do. They are breakdown of the purpose into small manageable units.

27. Characteristics of good objectives 1. Objectives should be S.M.A.R.T- Specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time- bound (i) An objective is specific if it communicates very clearly and explicitly, the intended outcome of the study. It should be short, concise, precise with a clear focus. (ii) An objective is measurable if it is stated in terms of an outcome that can be observed or measured. The researcher should therefore use active verbs to describe action such as find out, determine, describe, establish.

28. Characteristics of good objectives (iii) An attainable objective has two yardsticks: feasibility and manageability. An objective is feasible if it can be answered through collection of data. An objective is manageable if it can be accomplished within the constraints of available resources such as finance, equipment, manpower and time. (iv) An objective is Realistic if it has reasonable level of difficulty. It should neither be too hard nor too simple (v) An objective is Time Bound when it can be accomplished within the available time.

29. Characteristics.. 2. Clearly indicate the target population, that is where the study will be conducted. 3. Clearly indicate the variables to be investigated and the relationship between them.

30. Research Questions Research questions and hypotheses are usually used alternately. If questions are posed, hypotheses should not be stated at the same time. A question becomes a research question if it cannot be answered unless fresh data is collected on it. Research questions are derived from the objectives

31. Research Questions Avoid questions that require YES?NO answers. Questions of ‘how’ and ‘why’ are preferred. Ensure that questions and objectives are systematically and consistent. Ensure that all the variables in the objectives are included in the question. How does promotion affect motivation of library staff in Public Universities?

32. Hypothesis They are declarative statements on the relationships between two or more variables on the nature of some phenomenon. They form the elements of for testing to enable the researcher make an opinion about certain phenomenon being investigated. This involves testing of the variables in order to make meaningful conclusions. A well stated hypothesis should: Be testable Be clear and precise

33. Good hypothesis Indicate both the independent and dependent variables and the relationship between them. Be based on theory. Some evidence is necessary.

34. Null and Alternative Hypothesis Hypothesis may be stated either in null (non- directional) form symbolized as (H) or in alternative (directional) form symbolized as (H) A null hypothesis states that there is no relationship between the variables being studies. A literary Null hypothesis is concept oriented and provides no direction. It states that that there is no relationship between the concepts (there is no relationship between socio-economic status and librarians’ performance). These are broad concepts that need to be defined.

35. Null Hypothesis An operational hypothesis is operational but provides no direction, for example: There is no relationship between students study hours and their performance in Universities. There is no relationship between basic salary and motivation of library staff in private universities in Kenya.

36. Alternative Hypothesis Referred to as directional hypothesis and it states a relationship between the variables being investigated. A literary directional (alternative) is a concept oriented and provides direction. Social-economic status of university librarians in Kenya influences their performance. Operational directional (alternative) hypothesis is operational and provides direction. Health schemes affects motivation of university librarians.

37. Hypothesis.. Research hypothesis are derived from research objectives. They express the relationship between the variables in the study.

38. Significance of the study This refers to the relevance of the study in terms of academic contributions and practical use of the findings. It explain contribution of the study to researchers, practitioners and policy makers. What are implications or applications of the findings to: The community that have been studied. Policy makers at national level Practitioners at national/international level Researchers

39. Significance.. Rationale/justification Why and how the study will contribute to scholarly research Why and how will the study help to improve policy Why and how the study will help improve practice.

40. Scope of the study The scope is also referred to as delimitations of the study. It is the description of the boundaries of the study in terms of content, methodological and geographical coverage, time of the study

41. Theoretical Framework A theory is a set of properly argued ideas intended to explain a phenomenon. A theoretical framework is descriptive while conceptual framework is diagrammatical (indicating relationship between IV and DV). Theoretical framework is an examination of the existing theories in relation to the research objectives. It refers to a set of interrelated variables, definitions and propositions that present a systematic view of a phenomenon.

42. Steps in presenting your theory Name the theory and its’ source Indicate where the theory has been used and who used it. Describe the prepositions or hypothesis in the theory. Explain the variables in the study. Discuss the implication/application of the theory to the study. Mention the competing theories in the same area and why they are inadequate for this study.

43. Steps…. Mention the weaknesses of the theory indicating how This will help to justify the choice of the theory for the study. This study will be informed by (name the theory) advanced by…. (name the author and other relevant related information). The theory was used by… (name the people who have used the theory and where). The theory postulates that (describe the propositions or hypothesis of the theory)…

44. Conceptual Framework Is a scheme of concepts which the researcher will operationalize in order to achieve the objectives. It is a schematic or a diagrammatic presentation of the theory. The theory is presented as a model where research variables and the relationship between them are translated into a visual picture between independent extraneous and dependent variable The independent variables are placed on the left and dependent variables on the right, separated by the extraneous variable at the centre. Independent variables that are not related to the purpose of the study, but may affect the dependent variable are termed extraneous variables.

45. Where should theoretical and conceptual Framework be placed? The theoretical and conceptual framework may be placed in Chapter 2 immediately after literature review. It may also be placed as the last item of chapter 1. Student should seek guidance from their supervisors.