Graduate Research Proposal and Report Writing

Things to be Considered while Selecting a GRP TopicAcceptabilityUniversitys requirementsInterestYour strengths and weaknessesFeasibilityFinancial and time resources availableAvailability of literatureAccess to dataRelevanceAvoidance of DuplicationSample Topic: Hindi / Nepali Movie Film Distribution in Nepal

What is Research Proposal?Research proposal is the means to achieve the agreement between the person who authorizes the study and the researcher.Proposal ensures that there are no misunderstandings or frustrations later for both parties.

Research Proposal_BST*

Research Proposal_BST

What Contains Research Proposal?Proposal consists of:The broad goals of the study.The specific problem to be investigated.Details of the procedures to be followed.The research design offerings details on:Sampling designData collection methodsData analysis.Time frame of the study, including information on when the written report will be handed over to the sponsors.The budget, detailing the costs with reference to specific items of expenditure.

Research Proposal_BST*

Research Proposal_BST

Purpose of Research ProposalA means of communication from the researcher to those who will assess, approve and possibly fund the projectA plan for action to describe the scope, aim, step-by-step procedure and expected outcome of the workA signed contract that will form the basis of agreement between parties involved

Research Proposal_BST*

Research Proposal_BST

Types of Research ProposalInternal proposal: If you write a proposal to someone within your organization, it is an internal proposal. How to understand and explain particular problem in the businessProblem solving orientationExternal proposal: It is written from one separate, independent organization or individual/ consultant to another entity. Solicited proposal: If a proposal is solicited, the recipient of the proposal in some way requested the proposal.Unsolicited proposals: They are those in which the recipient has not requested proposals. No need to compete.Academic Proposal prepared for an academic degree.Internal and external proposals have problem-solving orientation.Academic proposals focus on knowledge generation.

Research Proposal_BST*

Research Proposal_BST

RESEARCH PROPOSAL MODULESProposals differ in their purpose and nature, however, they tend to follow more or less a defined pattern.Executive SummaryBackground InformationStatement of the ProblemLiterature ReviewObjectives, Research Questions, HypothesesImportance, Significance or Need of the StudyResearch MethodsResearch DesignPopulation and SamplingData AnalysisResearch Plan (House-keeping Arrangements)Time-frameBudget and ResourcesProject ManagementEquipment and InstrumentsQualification of the ResearchersReferencesAppendices

*Research Proposal_BST

Research Proposal_BST

GRP ProposalBackground InformationStatement of the ProblemLiterature Review and Theoretical FrameworkObjectives of the StudyResearch Questions or HypothesesResearch MethodsResearch DesignPopulation and SamplingInstrumentationData Collection ProceduresData AnalysisReferences

GRP WritingWhat is a GRP Report? A GRP report is simply a statement or description of things that have already occurred. It is a concise, clear communication of the findings of the research work. In any game of communication, the following actions and actors are involved: The communicator The information and its transmission The audience

The GRP Report Process

There are five steps in the report process:Information sources (data, literature, observation)Condensation (data cards, editing, coding, master data sheets)Combination (charts, tables, graphs, diagrams, pictures)Assimilation (analysis, interpretation, writing)Finished product (report)

Procedures for Writing

Analyze the taskPrepare an outline prior to starting the write upPlan your timeArrange dataStart writingPrepare the first draftPut the draft aside for some timeAsk for the feedbackReview and rewrite

Style of WritingWrite clearlyAdhere to the study objectivesBe careful of terminologies, grammar and spellingsBe selectiveBe objectiveDraw conclusions

Conventions of Academic WritingMake direct and positive sentencesUse of the first personUse gender-neutral languageAvoid emotional languageLabel opinions and observationsNon-English terms and expressionsEnglish or American spellingsAbbreviationsConsistency

Tabular and Graphic PresentationEach table and figure should be given a title.Each table or figure should be given a number like 4.1, 4.2.Write the table number instead of writing the following table or the above table.Source of data should be cited at the bottom of the table.If explanations need to be given, use footnotes below the table.

General Questions that arise in the Process of GRP Report WritingCan a researcher choose a topic by himself?How long should the GRP report be?Should we begin writing from the first chapter?Should we wait until all work associated with the research is completed before beginning to write it up?Which section of the report should we write first?What should be done to ensure the quality of data?

Format of the GRP ReportPrefatory MaterialsTitle pageApproval sheetAcknowledgementsExecutive summaryTable of contentsList of tables and figuresBody of the ReportIntroductionReview of literature and theoretical frameworkResearch methodologyResults and discussionSummary and conclusionsSupplementary MaterialsReferencesAppendixes

ReferencesFor a bookHarrison, A. (2006). Just-in-time manufacturing in perspective. New York: Prentice HallPeppard, J., & Rawland, P. (2006). Business process re-engineering. New Delhi: Prentice Hall of India.For an edited bookSingh, R., & Manandhar, N. (Eds.). (2007). Human psychology at work. Kathmandu: Sastoma Kitab Publishers.For a journal articleJoshi, P. (1998). Labour management: A cross-country overview of South Asian countries. The Nepalese Management Review, 3(1), 1-14. For a newspaperThe Rising Nepal. (1996, July 15). P.2For an Internet siteTribhuvan University (online) (cited 2008, January 7). Available

Examples of CitationDirect Quotation

Block and Indented QuotationThe UNDP (2007) makes an assessment of the current status of technology transfer in Nepal in the following words:Foreign aid has played a major role in the source and value of technology imports including those in the manufacturing sector. Much of the technology transfer under the category has been the turnkey type. The percentage of foreign technical personnel has assisted in acquiring operational competence. However, it does not seem to have led to the development of indigenous capabilities for technological innovation and upgradation (p. 44).

Within-sentence QuotationAccording to UNDP (2007), Foreign aid has played a major role in the source and value of technology imports in Nepal (p. 44).

Paraphrase and SummaryUNDP (2007) argued that the increasing use of foreign technical personnel working in Nepal does not lead to the development of local capabilities for technical innovation.

GeneralizationThere is wide agreement that the presence of foreign experts would ultimately affect the capability-building of the local people. The increasing use of such foreign experts in Nepal has increased the countrys dependence on them for technological innovation and upgradation (Gurung, 1997; Tuladhar & Thapa, 2007; and Yadav, 2009).

CHECKLIST FOR EVALUATING YOUR DRAFT GRP REPORT Does your title reflect accurately your contents? Is there a clear structure? Does your introduction state clearly the research issues, objectives, theoretical framework, and research questions? Are your research methods clearly explained? Have you divided up your text throughout with suitable headings? Does each chapter have a preview and a summary? Have you made a clear distinction between findings and conclusion?

Checklist.Have you checked all your references and presented these in the required manner?Is there any text material that should be in the appendix?Are you happy that your writing is clear, simple and direct?Have you eliminated all jargons?Have you acknowledged all the works of others?Have you checked spelling and grammar?Is your report in a format that will be acceptable to the university?

Some Topics Recently Researched in GRPOrganizational Facts For Employee Creativity at WorksWomen Enterpreneurs In Beautyparlour Service In KathmanduWomen Empowerment Through Micro-Credit Programme In Lalitpur VDCHR Skill Gap In Tourism and Hospitality Industry of NepalSupply Change Mapping : A Case Study In Ilam Tea.Green Purchase Intention of Nepalese Young ConsumersConsumer Complain Behavior : Astudy on Electronic SectorsShopping Mall Choice Behaviour of Nepalese Consumers Conterfeit Products Awereness and Attitudate of Nepalese ConsumersBrand Equity of MBA Programs in NepalIndividual Investors Behavior in Nepal Stock Exchange Performance Apprisal: Measurement and Method BIAS as Perceived by Employees in Private Sector Commerical BanksFactor Affeting Quality Improvement in Carpet Industry In NepalSocialization and Learning Process In Nepalese Private Sector Commerical BanksMarket Efficency Anomalies In Nepalese Stock MarketsFinancial Literacy For Informed Consumer : A Comparative Study of Specific Demographic Groups In NepalImpact of Advertisement on Purchase Intention and Switching Behaviour of Cosmetic Product ConsumersEffect of Packaging Elements OF Food Products On Sonsumers Pre purchase DecisionsImpact of Advertisement on Purchase Intention and Switching Behaviour of Cosmetic Product ConsumersEffect of Packaging Elements OF Food Products On Sonsumers Pre purchase Decisions

Preparing for Presentation and Defense

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