Preparing and Evaluating a Research Plan
After reading this article, you will be able to:
1. Define and discuss the purpose of a research plan
2. Describe each component of quantitative research plan
3. Describe each component of a qualitative research plan
4. Describe ways in which a research plan can be revised and improved
What is a research plan?
Research plan is a detailed description of a study proposed to investigate a given problem. Research plan can be quantitative and qualitative research. that includes introduction which reviews related literature, a discussion of research design and procedures and information about data analysis. It may be relatively brief, and informal or very lengthy and formal, such as the proposals submitted to obtain governmental and private research funding.
Most quantitative studies test a hypothesis which impacts decisions about the involvement measuring instruments, design, procedures, and statistical techniques used in the study. While qualitative plan.
Writing a research plan will help you to think through the aspects of your study, facilitates evaluation of the proposed study and it will improve the quality of your research.
Components of the qualitative research plan
Qualitative research plans normally include an introduction, a method section, a data analysis description and a time schedule.
1. Introduction section: involve a statement of the topic, research question/s, a review of related literature, and a statement of the hypothesis with variables stated in operational terms.
2. Method section: involves a description of the research contestants, measuring instruments, design and procedure.
- Research participants
It includes the number, source, and characteristics of sample, and the population the sample is drawn from.
- Instruments should provide a description of the particular tests or tools used for data collection as well as a specific selection of the instruments
- If have your own instruments, you have to describe how your instrument will be developed, what it will measure, and how do you plan to decide the validity and reliability.
- Design is selected strategy to undertake a research study, determined by the nature of the hypothesis, variables involved, and any environmental constraints.
- Procedure describes all steps in data collection. It begins with a description of the strategy for selecting the sample or samples and then addresses the administration of any treatments or tests.
- The procedure section also includes any identified assumptions and limitations. An assumption is an assertion presumed to be true but not verified, whereas a limitation is an aspect of the study that the researcher expects may alter the result
- The procedure section should be precise to the point that someone else could read your plan and execute your study exactly as you intended it to be conducted.
Data analysis
- The research plan must include a description of the techniques that will be used to analyse the data
- The hypothesis in a quantitative study determine the design which in turn determines the data analysis.
Time schedule
- A time schedule listing major research activities and their corresponding expected competition date is a useful planning aid.
- Allow for more time than you think you will need to complete your study. Plan for downtime, and set your finishing date earlier than the final deadline for competition.
Components of Qualitative Research
A qualitative research plan is more structured than quantitative one, because it must be responsive to the context and setting under study.
Prior fieldwork
If possible, qualitative researchers shall do some informal pre-proposal filedwork to understand the sociocultural context of the research setting.
Title
The title of the study provides a frame of reference for the researcher and for readers of the study
Introduction section
The introduction includes the purpose of the study, its relation to a larger problem, the initial research questions, a guiding hypothesis (if necessary) a review of related literature and any appendix.
Research Procedure Section
The research procedures section includes a description of the overall approach for the study, the site and sample, the researchers’ role, data collection methods, data management strategies, data analysis strategies, trustworthiness features, ethical considerations, potential contributions of the research and study limitation.
Qualitative researchers are their own instruments, gathering data through observations, field notes and interviews. They describe in detail the nature of the data and method of collection, review their narrative data, organize it into categories and themes, and interpret it in terms of the context and participants’ perspective.
Revising and improving a research plan
A research plan should be reviewed by at least one skilled researcher and at least one expert in the area of investigation.
If possible, a researcher should carry out a small-scale pilot study to help in refining or changing planned procedures.
1. Define and discuss the purpose of a research plan
2. Describe each component of quantitative research plan
3. Describe each component of a qualitative research plan
4. Describe ways in which a research plan can be revised and improved
What is a research plan?
Research plan is a detailed description of a study proposed to investigate a given problem. Research plan can be quantitative and qualitative research. that includes introduction which reviews related literature, a discussion of research design and procedures and information about data analysis. It may be relatively brief, and informal or very lengthy and formal, such as the proposals submitted to obtain governmental and private research funding.
Most quantitative studies test a hypothesis which impacts decisions about the involvement measuring instruments, design, procedures, and statistical techniques used in the study. While qualitative plan.
Writing a research plan will help you to think through the aspects of your study, facilitates evaluation of the proposed study and it will improve the quality of your research.
Components of the qualitative research plan
Qualitative research plans normally include an introduction, a method section, a data analysis description and a time schedule.
1. Introduction section: involve a statement of the topic, research question/s, a review of related literature, and a statement of the hypothesis with variables stated in operational terms.
2. Method section: involves a description of the research contestants, measuring instruments, design and procedure.
- Research participants
It includes the number, source, and characteristics of sample, and the population the sample is drawn from.
- Instruments should provide a description of the particular tests or tools used for data collection as well as a specific selection of the instruments
- If have your own instruments, you have to describe how your instrument will be developed, what it will measure, and how do you plan to decide the validity and reliability.
- Design is selected strategy to undertake a research study, determined by the nature of the hypothesis, variables involved, and any environmental constraints.
- Procedure describes all steps in data collection. It begins with a description of the strategy for selecting the sample or samples and then addresses the administration of any treatments or tests.
- The procedure section also includes any identified assumptions and limitations. An assumption is an assertion presumed to be true but not verified, whereas a limitation is an aspect of the study that the researcher expects may alter the result
- The procedure section should be precise to the point that someone else could read your plan and execute your study exactly as you intended it to be conducted.
Data analysis
- The research plan must include a description of the techniques that will be used to analyse the data
- The hypothesis in a quantitative study determine the design which in turn determines the data analysis.
Time schedule
- A time schedule listing major research activities and their corresponding expected competition date is a useful planning aid.
- Allow for more time than you think you will need to complete your study. Plan for downtime, and set your finishing date earlier than the final deadline for competition.
Components of Qualitative Research
A qualitative research plan is more structured than quantitative one, because it must be responsive to the context and setting under study.
Prior fieldwork
If possible, qualitative researchers shall do some informal pre-proposal filedwork to understand the sociocultural context of the research setting.
Title
The title of the study provides a frame of reference for the researcher and for readers of the study
Introduction section
The introduction includes the purpose of the study, its relation to a larger problem, the initial research questions, a guiding hypothesis (if necessary) a review of related literature and any appendix.
Research Procedure Section
The research procedures section includes a description of the overall approach for the study, the site and sample, the researchers’ role, data collection methods, data management strategies, data analysis strategies, trustworthiness features, ethical considerations, potential contributions of the research and study limitation.
Qualitative researchers are their own instruments, gathering data through observations, field notes and interviews. They describe in detail the nature of the data and method of collection, review their narrative data, organize it into categories and themes, and interpret it in terms of the context and participants’ perspective.
Revising and improving a research plan
A research plan should be reviewed by at least one skilled researcher and at least one expert in the area of investigation.
If possible, a researcher should carry out a small-scale pilot study to help in refining or changing planned procedures.
