NGO support toolkit (English)  >  Institutional Change  >  Research 

Developing research proposals

Prior to the development of a full research proposal, a short concept note can be prepared outlining in brief the concept to be researched, the rationale or need for research and some background issues and information pertaining to the topic. This can be reviewed by a group of stakeholders / advisors who might then provide suggestions and advice on how to proceed and/or how to develop a full proposal.

In all research proposals, however they are defined, for whatever purposes and for whatever length of time, the following would be expected prior to initiating the ‘research’:

Objectives and outputs:

Clearly stated objectives and outputs regarding why this research is being proposed and what the outputs will include. Objectives should be clearly focused. Outputs might include and range from toolkits to conference papers.

Research Questions:

An outline of key research questions that the research is proposing to answer. Research questions can be as little as one and as many as 4-6, though it is recommended that the fewer and more focused the better.

Interventions description:

if it is an operations research we would expect to see a detailed explanation of what the intervention will look like, the activities proposed, the intensity of the intervention, how the activities will be conducted, by whom and when, etc.

Methodology:

This will include:

• The methods proposed for the research – they might include quantitative tools (questionnaires, in-take surveys), qualitative tools (focus group discussions, in-depth/semi-structured interviews, case studies) and participatory methodologies.
• Numbers of people, or sample size, to consult during the research – if a representative sample is required, especially for quantitative methods, standard calculations need to be carried out; if qualitative tools are used then a rationale for the numbers of participants needs to be specified.
• An analysis plan – details of how data will be analysed, what tools will be used, what software packages, if appropriate, etc.
• An implementation schedule to include: when the data collection will happen, how long it will take, how many people will be involved.

Implementing partners:

an outline of the different implementing partners, how collaboration will work, their expertise in the area of research, their relevant and complementary skills,

Dissemination plan and follow-up use of findings:

Once information is collected and analysed, a key step (which is often not sufficiently planned) is how the information will be disseminated, to whom and in what format. Similarly, the ways in which the information could be used needs to be carefully thought through at an early stage.

Time-line:

a detailed time-line needs to be included in the proposal identifying the total length of time of the project, key activities and milestones throughout the project period

Budget:

a detailed budget needs to be included in the proposal. The budget should include data collection costs, salary costs, material costs, overhead, etc.

Issues to consider

• Who is the concept note/proposal for? Different organisations/donors have different requirements so the proposal needs to be tailored to fit specific requirements
• Ensure that outlines of requirements regarding proposals are obtained in good time so the proposal can mirror these requirements
• Ensure that submission and notification dates are met and understood
• Ensure that secondary sources are reviewed, referred to and listed in an annex/bibliography so that the reviewers can see that the appropriate background reading has been carried out

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