Practical Research 11th Edition Paul D. Leedy Jeanne Ellis O

Practical Research11th Editionpaul D Leedy Jeanne Ellis Ormrodcopy

Practical Research 11th edition Paul D. Leedy & Jeanne Ellis Ormrod Chapter 5 Writing the Research Proposal Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved The Research Proposal • Essential to successful research • Includes  Clearly stated problem and subproblems  Hypotheses and/or questions  Precise definitions of terms  Carefully spelled-out limitations and delimitations  Explanation of the purpose of the study  Specific details about all aspects of data collection and interpretation Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Characteristics of a Research Proposal • Straightforward document containing only necessary information • Conventional prose, economy of words, precision of expression • Clearly organized • Usually follows convention Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Organization of a Quantitative Proposal • The problem and its setting • Review of related literature • Data and its treatment • Qualifications of the researcher and team • Study outline • References • Appendices Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Organization of a Qualitative Proposal • Introduction • Methodology • Findings • Management plan, timeline, feasibility • References • Appendices Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Writing Your Proposal • Use word processing software • Adhere to guidelines required by the institution, organization, or funding agency to which you are submitting the proposal • Focus the first draft on organization and logical thought sequences rather than on exact wording, grammatical correctness, and spelling Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Writing Your Proposal • Present the research problem at the beginning • Provide a context for the problem • Convince the reader of the importance of the project • Assume that your reader(s) know nothing about your project Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Writing Your Proposal • Communicate that you have an open mind about what you will find • Describe your proposed methodology with as much detail and precision as possible • Describe where any pre-existing data are located and how you plan to obtain them • Describe how you will use the data to answer your research problem • Use appendices wisely Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Revising Your Proposal • Set the proposal aside for a few days • Make sure that items in bulleted lists are parallel in structure • Read a printed copy of your first draft • Carefully scrutinize what you have written, looking for disorganized thoughts, illogical thinking, and inconsistencies in terminology Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Revising Your Proposal • Look for text that might be clearer • Keep sentences simple and straightforward • Choose words carefully • Check carefully for errors in grammar, punctuation, and spelling Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Revising Your Proposal • Make sure there is a one-to-one correspondence between citations in the text and references • Consider the feasibility of the project once again • Read a printed copy again • Seek the feedback of others Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Look For and Correct Weaknesses • Weaknesses related to the research problem:  Research has unclear purpose  Problem is unimportant  Hypothesis is ill-defined or unsound  Problem is too complex  Problem has limited relevance to the field Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Look For and Correct Weaknesses • Weaknesses related to the research design & methodology:  Description of design and method is vague and/or unfocused  Data inappropriate for the research problem  Methodology/procedures inappropriate for the research problem Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Look For and Correct Weaknesses • Weaknesses related to the research design & methodology:  Appropriate controls lacking or inadequate  Equipment outdated or inappropriate  Statistical analysis poorly considered Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Look For and Correct Weaknesses • Weaknesses related to the investigator:  insufficient training or experience for the proposed research  unfamiliar with the literature relevant for the proposed research  insufficient time to devote to the project Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Look For and Correct Weaknesses • Weaknesses related to resources:  institutional setting is unfavorable for the proposed research  proposed use of equipment, support staff, or other resources is unrealistic Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Detractions from Proposal Effectiveness • Look for and correct  Vague statement of the problem  Incompletely described methodology  General and cursory treatment of each subproblem  Phrasing of the proposal is not useful for evaluation Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved Detractions from Proposal Effectiveness • Look for and correct  Deviation of the format of the proposal from institutional guidelines  Failure to include cited sources  Incompletely or incorrectly cited sources Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved For a Proposal to a Funding Agency • Look for and correct if  The problem does not address the research area outlined by the funding agency  The proposal is too ambitious for the grant money available  Items included in the budget are disallowed by the terms of the grant Practical Research: Planning & Design, 11th Edition Leedy & Ormrod Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved

Paper For Above instruction

The development of a comprehensive research proposal is fundamental to the success of any research project. As outlined in Leedy and Ormrod’s "Practical Research" (11th Edition), a well-crafted proposal serves as a roadmap that guides researchers through the various stages of investigation, ensuring clarity, focus, and feasibility. This paper explores the essential components, organization, writing, revision strategies, and common weaknesses associated with research proposals, emphasizing their significance across both quantitative and qualitative paradigms.

The core elements of a research proposal include a clearly articulated problem statement, specific subproblems, hypotheses or research questions, precise definitions of relevant terms, limitations, delimitations, and an explicit explanation of the study's purpose. According to Leedy and Ormrod, these components provide the foundation upon which the entire research is built. The problem statement must be concise yet comprehensive enough to convey the importance of the issue being investigated. Subproblems further specify particular areas of focus, while hypotheses or questions guide the methodology and analysis phases. Explicit definitions of terms are necessary to ensure clarity and consistency, preventing ambiguity during data collection and interpretation.

Organizational structure varies depending on the research paradigm—quantitative or qualitative. A quantitative proposal typically includes sections such as the problem and setting, review of related literature, data collection and treatment procedures, researcher qualifications, study outline, references, and appendices. In contrast, qualitative proposals emphasize introduction, methodology, findings, management strategies, timeline, and feasibility. Regardless of the format, clarity, logical flow, and adherence to institutional guidelines are essential for effective proposals (Leedy & Ormrod, 2018).

Proper writing practices are vital to communicating the research plan effectively. Utilizing word processing software, focusing initially on organization and logical sequencing, and adhering to formatting guidelines are recommended strategies (Leedy & Ormrod, 2018). A compelling proposal begins with a succinct presentation of the research problem, providing context and convincing the reviewer of its significance. Researchers should articulate an open-minded attitude towards findings, detail their methodology meticulously, specify sources of pre-existing data, and describe data utilization plans. These steps collectively demonstrate the feasibility and scholarly rigor of the project.

Revising the proposal is a critical stage, involving setting aside the draft, scrutinizing for coherence, clarity, and brevity, and seeking feedback from others. Attention to parallel structure, grammatical correctness, and accurate citations enhances professionalism and credibility. The revision process should also include re-evaluating the feasibility of the project, ensuring resource adequacy, and aligning with institutional or funding guidelines.

Identifying weaknesses at various stages can improve proposal quality. Weaknesses related to the research problem include unclear purposes, unimportant issues, ill-defined hypotheses, overly complex problems, and limited relevance. Methodological weaknesses entail vague descriptions, inappropriate data, or unsuitable procedures. Investigator-related deficiencies involve insufficient expertise or time constraints, while resource issues concern unrealistic use of equipment or support. Addressing these weaknesses is necessary to enhance the proposal’s persuasiveness and validity (Leedy & Ormrod, 2018).

Common pitfalls that diminish proposal effectiveness include vague problem statements, incomplete methodology descriptions, superficial treatment of subproblems, and format deviations. To strengthen proposals, researchers should ensure strict adherence to institutional guidelines, proper citation of sources, and a realistic budget aligned with the project's scope. For proposals directed at funding agencies, it is especially crucial to demonstrate alignment with the funding agency’s research priorities, provide clear budget justifications, and frame the study within the scope of the grant’s resources.

In conclusion, a well-structured research proposal is a vital instrument in academic and professional research. By understanding its essential components, organizing content logically, employing rigorous writing and revision practices, and proactively addressing potential weaknesses, researchers can significantly improve their chances of successful project approval and funding. As Leedy and Ormrod (2018) highlight, meticulous planning and clear presentation are instrumental in transforming research ideas into feasible, impactful studies.

References

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