The HOWs of a Research Proposal

 Entry 0004

Blog written: May 03 2023
Blog published: May 04 2023

The HOWs of a Research Proposal

Hmmmm... Have you ever wondered how people choose the research they are working on? How do they come up with their ideas? Sounds bizarre. Sounds amazing. To think of developing entirely new knowledge or a novel idea through the application of scientific methods. But the most common question we all ask, is, "Where do I start?"




Having too many ideas can make you feel frustrated or overwhelmed. You want something new to contribute to the area of knowledge, but you also want to be realistic enough and ensure that your goals are attainable by your means. If you're still confused, you can use the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound) to structure your research. 

  • Specific - Research should be specific and well-defined. Clearly outline the objectives, data collection, and methodology that you will use for your research.
  • Measurable - Research goals should be measurable, meaning that they are quantifiable and can be evaluated objectively. This is so researchers can track the progress of their research and measure the progress toward its objectives.
  • (Ambitious but also) Attainable - The research should be achievable and realistic. Identify your limitations based on the available resources and time constraints. However, you should also be ambitious in your goals, though not overly so, as doing research you should aim to contribute new knowledge or create an impact in the community.
  • Relevant - The goals you set should be relevant to the problem you are investigating. Create research questions that are focused to create results that address or provide solutions for the problem.
  • Time-bound - Any research should be time-bound, meaning that they should be within a specific timeline for completion. This ensures, that, well, your research really gets done in a timely manner.

You can also consider using SMARTER (Evaluate, Rewarding) as additional criteria to refine your approach even further.

  • Evaluate - Evaluate your research proposal and assess its quality, relevance, and impact on the community. By doing so, you can reinforce the validity and support the urgency of conducting your research study.
  • Rewarding - Research should be rewarding, however costly and expensive, it should be a mirror of personal satisfaction and knowledge by giving back and having a positive impact on society.

For me, choosing a proposal needs both IMAGINATION + INFORMATION. You need to have a mind creative enough to imagine potential solutions, however, you also have to be informed enough that you are grounded to the limits of your reality.


But what do I do? Where do we start? Here are some guidelines that may help you get started:


1. Start by reading. Read, read, read. Read a lot of literature. All kinds of academic literature. That will be the one who will save you. By reading a lot of published and credible articles from peer-reviewed journals, you can grasp a general idea of the current scenario and the possible research gaps you might be able to address.


2. Choose a domain. Any domain that you like, so long as it fits the area of your required study. Choose one that you think you have an interest in or are really passionate about. Suppose you want to assist a specific community of people in your locality who have disabilities. In that case, you can explore particular fields of study, such as Artificial Intelligence, Computer Technologies, IoT, etc., that focus on solving that particular issue and are benefiting that community.


3. Do not be afraid to experiment. Live a little. Explore topics you have never heard of before. Topics that sound unique. Theoretical. Mathematical. Very difficult. Concepts that sound like a pain to deal with. You should not be afraid of things that sound intriguing or unfamiliar to you. This is actually how we acquire knowledge; we absorb new concepts and ideas, and then process and understand them.


4. Don't forget the novelty! You're doing research to contribute new knowledge to any particular field of study, particularly the academic community. Do not forget the novelty, which can enhance its impact and significance. You can add novelty through a new concept or idea, a novel method or approach, integration of tools and technologies, significance to the community, building on existing research, and many more.


In conclusion, selecting a research study may seem like a daunting task, but it is achievable with enough knowledge and guidance. When choosing a research topic, it is essential to select something that aligns with your passion and interests. Exploring other fields can also broaden your perspective and lead to the discovery of new and exciting research topics. Additionally, reading and reading and reading literature allow you to identify gaps in research that can help in selecting a viable and doable research topic. Lastly, it is important to enjoy the research process and not view it as just a requirement to graduate (joke!). By keeping these key points in mind, you can embark on a fulfilling research journey that not only contributes to the academic community but also aligns with your personal interests and goals.



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