Show that you understand the current state of research on your topic.
The length of a research proposal can vary quite a bit. A bachelor’s or master’s thesis proposal can be just a few pages, while proposals for PhD dissertations or research funding are usually much longer and more detailed. Your supervisor can help you determine the best length for your work.
One trick to get started is to think of your proposal’s structure as a shorter version of your thesis or dissertation , only without the results , conclusion and discussion sections.
Download our research proposal template
Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We’ve included a few for you below.
Like your dissertation or thesis, the proposal will usually have a title page that includes:
The first part of your proposal is the initial pitch for your project. Make sure it succinctly explains what you want to do and why.
Your introduction should:
To guide your introduction , include information about:
As you get started, it’s important to demonstrate that you’re familiar with the most important research on your topic. A strong literature review shows your reader that your project has a solid foundation in existing knowledge or theory. It also shows that you’re not simply repeating what other people have already done or said, but rather using existing research as a jumping-off point for your own.
In this section, share exactly how your project will contribute to ongoing conversations in the field by:
Following the literature review, restate your main objectives . This brings the focus back to your own project. Next, your research design or methodology section will describe your overall approach, and the practical steps you will take to answer your research questions.
? or ? , , or research design? | |
, )? ? | |
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To finish your proposal on a strong note, explore the potential implications of your research for your field. Emphasise again what you aim to contribute and why it matters.
For example, your results might have implications for:
Last but not least, your research proposal must include correct citations for every source you have used, compiled in a reference list . To create citations quickly and easily, you can use our free APA citation generator .
Some institutions or funders require a detailed timeline of the project, asking you to forecast what you will do at each stage and how long it may take. While not always required, be sure to check the requirements of your project.
Here’s an example schedule to help you get started. You can also download a template at the button below.
Download our research schedule template
Research phase | Objectives | Deadline |
---|---|---|
1. Background research and literature review | 20th January | |
2. Research design planning | and data analysis methods | 13th February |
3. Data collection and preparation | with selected participants and code interviews | 24th March |
4. Data analysis | of interview transcripts | 22nd April |
5. Writing | 17th June | |
6. Revision | final work | 28th July |
If you are applying for research funding, chances are you will have to include a detailed budget. This shows your estimates of how much each part of your project will cost.
Make sure to check what type of costs the funding body will agree to cover. For each item, include:
To determine your budget, think about:
Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement.
Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.
I will compare …
A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.
Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.
A PhD, which is short for philosophiae doctor (doctor of philosophy in Latin), is the highest university degree that can be obtained. In a PhD, students spend 3–5 years writing a dissertation , which aims to make a significant, original contribution to current knowledge.
A PhD is intended to prepare students for a career as a researcher, whether that be in academia, the public sector, or the private sector.
A master’s is a 1- or 2-year graduate degree that can prepare you for a variety of careers.
All master’s involve graduate-level coursework. Some are research-intensive and intend to prepare students for further study in a PhD; these usually require their students to write a master’s thesis . Others focus on professional training for a specific career.
Critical thinking refers to the ability to evaluate information and to be aware of biases or assumptions, including your own.
Like information literacy , it involves evaluating arguments, identifying and solving problems in an objective and systematic way, and clearly communicating your ideas.
If you want to cite this source, you can copy and paste the citation or click the ‘Cite this Scribbr article’ button to automatically add the citation to our free Reference Generator.
McCombes, S. & George, T. (2023, June 13). How to Write a Research Proposal | Examples & Templates. Scribbr. Retrieved 12 August 2024, from https://www.scribbr.co.uk/the-research-process/research-proposal-explained/
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Table of Contents
Before conducting a study, a research proposal should be created that outlines researchers’ plans and methodology and is submitted to the concerned evaluating organization or person. Creating a research proposal is an important step to ensure that researchers are on track and are moving forward as intended. A research proposal can be defined as a detailed plan or blueprint for the proposed research that you intend to undertake. It provides readers with a snapshot of your project by describing what you will investigate, why it is needed, and how you will conduct the research.
Your research proposal should aim to explain to the readers why your research is relevant and original, that you understand the context and current scenario in the field, have the appropriate resources to conduct the research, and that the research is feasible given the usual constraints.
This article will describe in detail the purpose and typical structure of a research proposal , along with examples and templates to help you ace this step in your research journey.
A research proposal¹ ,² can be defined as a formal report that describes your proposed research, its objectives, methodology, implications, and other important details. Research proposals are the framework of your research and are used to obtain approvals or grants to conduct the study from various committees or organizations. Consequently, research proposals should convince readers of your study’s credibility, accuracy, achievability, practicality, and reproducibility.
With research proposals , researchers usually aim to persuade the readers, funding agencies, educational institutions, and supervisors to approve the proposal. To achieve this, the report should be well structured with the objectives written in clear, understandable language devoid of jargon. A well-organized research proposal conveys to the readers or evaluators that the writer has thought out the research plan meticulously and has the resources to ensure timely completion.
A research proposal is a sales pitch and therefore should be detailed enough to convince your readers, who could be supervisors, ethics committees, universities, etc., that what you’re proposing has merit and is feasible . Research proposals can help students discuss their dissertation with their faculty or fulfill course requirements and also help researchers obtain funding. A well-structured proposal instills confidence among readers about your ability to conduct and complete the study as proposed.
Research proposals can be written for several reasons:³
Research proposals should aim to answer the three basic questions—what, why, and how.
The What question should be answered by describing the specific subject being researched. It should typically include the objectives, the cohort details, and the location or setting.
The Why question should be answered by describing the existing scenario of the subject, listing unanswered questions, identifying gaps in the existing research, and describing how your study can address these gaps, along with the implications and significance.
The How question should be answered by describing the proposed research methodology, data analysis tools expected to be used, and other details to describe your proposed methodology.
Here is a research proposal sample template (with examples) from the University of Rochester Medical Center. 4 The sections in all research proposals are essentially the same although different terminology and other specific sections may be used depending on the subject.
If you want to know how to make a research proposal impactful, include the following components:¹
1. Introduction
This section provides a background of the study, including the research topic, what is already known about it and the gaps, and the significance of the proposed research.
2. Literature review
This section contains descriptions of all the previous relevant studies pertaining to the research topic. Every study cited should be described in a few sentences, starting with the general studies to the more specific ones. This section builds on the understanding gained by readers in the Introduction section and supports it by citing relevant prior literature, indicating to readers that you have thoroughly researched your subject.
3. Objectives
Once the background and gaps in the research topic have been established, authors must now state the aims of the research clearly. Hypotheses should be mentioned here. This section further helps readers understand what your study’s specific goals are.
4. Research design and methodology
Here, authors should clearly describe the methods they intend to use to achieve their proposed objectives. Important components of this section include the population and sample size, data collection and analysis methods and duration, statistical analysis software, measures to avoid bias (randomization, blinding), etc.
5. Ethical considerations
This refers to the protection of participants’ rights, such as the right to privacy, right to confidentiality, etc. Researchers need to obtain informed consent and institutional review approval by the required authorities and mention this clearly for transparency.
6. Budget/funding
Researchers should prepare their budget and include all expected expenditures. An additional allowance for contingencies such as delays should also be factored in.
7. Appendices
This section typically includes information that supports the research proposal and may include informed consent forms, questionnaires, participant information, measurement tools, etc.
8. Citations
Writing a research proposal begins much before the actual task of writing. Planning the research proposal structure and content is an important stage, which if done efficiently, can help you seamlessly transition into the writing stage. 3,5
Key Takeaways
Here’s a summary of the main points about research proposals discussed in the previous sections:
Q1. How is a research proposal evaluated?
A1. In general, most evaluators, including universities, broadly use the following criteria to evaluate research proposals . 6
Q2. What is the difference between the Introduction and Literature Review sections in a research proposal ?
A2. The Introduction or Background section in a research proposal sets the context of the study by describing the current scenario of the subject and identifying the gaps and need for the research. A Literature Review, on the other hand, provides references to all prior relevant literature to help corroborate the gaps identified and the research need.
Q3. How long should a research proposal be?
A3. Research proposal lengths vary with the evaluating authority like universities or committees and also the subject. Here’s a table that lists the typical research proposal lengths for a few universities.
Arts programs | 1,000-1,500 | |
University of Birmingham | Law School programs | 2,500 |
PhD | 2,500 | |
2,000 | ||
Research degrees | 2,000-3,500 |
Q4. What are the common mistakes to avoid in a research proposal ?
A4. Here are a few common mistakes that you must avoid while writing a research proposal . 7
Thus, a research proposal is an essential document that can help you promote your research and secure funds and grants for conducting your research. Consequently, it should be well written in clear language and include all essential details to convince the evaluators of your ability to conduct the research as proposed.
This article has described all the important components of a research proposal and has also provided tips to improve your writing style. We hope all these tips will help you write a well-structured research proposal to ensure receipt of grants or any other purpose.
References
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How to write a phd research proposal.
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Everything You Need To Get Started (With Examples)
By: Derek Jansen (MBA) | Reviewers: Eunice Rautenbach (DTech) & Kerryn Warren (PhD) | April 2023
Navigating the world of research can be daunting, especially if you’re a first-time researcher. One concept you’re bound to run into fairly early in your research journey is that of “ research design ”. Here, we’ll guide you through the basics using practical examples , so that you can approach your research with confidence.
What is research design.
Research design refers to the overall plan, structure or strategy that guides a research project , from its conception to the final data analysis. A good research design serves as the blueprint for how you, as the researcher, will collect and analyse data while ensuring consistency, reliability and validity throughout your study.
Understanding different types of research designs is essential as helps ensure that your approach is suitable given your research aims, objectives and questions , as well as the resources you have available to you. Without a clear big-picture view of how you’ll design your research, you run the risk of potentially making misaligned choices in terms of your methodology – especially your sampling , data collection and data analysis decisions.
The problem with defining research design…
One of the reasons students struggle with a clear definition of research design is because the term is used very loosely across the internet, and even within academia.
Some sources claim that the three research design types are qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods , which isn’t quite accurate (these just refer to the type of data that you’ll collect and analyse). Other sources state that research design refers to the sum of all your design choices, suggesting it’s more like a research methodology . Others run off on other less common tangents. No wonder there’s confusion!
In this article, we’ll clear up the confusion. We’ll explain the most common research design types for both qualitative and quantitative research projects, whether that is for a full dissertation or thesis, or a smaller research paper or article.
Quantitative research involves collecting and analysing data in a numerical form. Broadly speaking, there are four types of quantitative research designs: descriptive , correlational , experimental , and quasi-experimental .
Descriptive Research Design
As the name suggests, descriptive research design focuses on describing existing conditions, behaviours, or characteristics by systematically gathering information without manipulating any variables. In other words, there is no intervention on the researcher’s part – only data collection.
For example, if you’re studying smartphone addiction among adolescents in your community, you could deploy a survey to a sample of teens asking them to rate their agreement with certain statements that relate to smartphone addiction. The collected data would then provide insight regarding how widespread the issue may be – in other words, it would describe the situation.
The key defining attribute of this type of research design is that it purely describes the situation . In other words, descriptive research design does not explore potential relationships between different variables or the causes that may underlie those relationships. Therefore, descriptive research is useful for generating insight into a research problem by describing its characteristics . By doing so, it can provide valuable insights and is often used as a precursor to other research design types.
Correlational Research Design
Correlational design is a popular choice for researchers aiming to identify and measure the relationship between two or more variables without manipulating them . In other words, this type of research design is useful when you want to know whether a change in one thing tends to be accompanied by a change in another thing.
For example, if you wanted to explore the relationship between exercise frequency and overall health, you could use a correlational design to help you achieve this. In this case, you might gather data on participants’ exercise habits, as well as records of their health indicators like blood pressure, heart rate, or body mass index. Thereafter, you’d use a statistical test to assess whether there’s a relationship between the two variables (exercise frequency and health).
As you can see, correlational research design is useful when you want to explore potential relationships between variables that cannot be manipulated or controlled for ethical, practical, or logistical reasons. It is particularly helpful in terms of developing predictions , and given that it doesn’t involve the manipulation of variables, it can be implemented at a large scale more easily than experimental designs (which will look at next).
That said, it’s important to keep in mind that correlational research design has limitations – most notably that it cannot be used to establish causality . In other words, correlation does not equal causation . To establish causality, you’ll need to move into the realm of experimental design, coming up next…
Experimental Research Design
Experimental research design is used to determine if there is a causal relationship between two or more variables . With this type of research design, you, as the researcher, manipulate one variable (the independent variable) while controlling others (dependent variables). Doing so allows you to observe the effect of the former on the latter and draw conclusions about potential causality.
For example, if you wanted to measure if/how different types of fertiliser affect plant growth, you could set up several groups of plants, with each group receiving a different type of fertiliser, as well as one with no fertiliser at all. You could then measure how much each plant group grew (on average) over time and compare the results from the different groups to see which fertiliser was most effective.
Overall, experimental research design provides researchers with a powerful way to identify and measure causal relationships (and the direction of causality) between variables. However, developing a rigorous experimental design can be challenging as it’s not always easy to control all the variables in a study. This often results in smaller sample sizes , which can reduce the statistical power and generalisability of the results.
Moreover, experimental research design requires random assignment . This means that the researcher needs to assign participants to different groups or conditions in a way that each participant has an equal chance of being assigned to any group (note that this is not the same as random sampling ). Doing so helps reduce the potential for bias and confounding variables . This need for random assignment can lead to ethics-related issues . For example, withholding a potentially beneficial medical treatment from a control group may be considered unethical in certain situations.
Quasi-Experimental Research Design
Quasi-experimental research design is used when the research aims involve identifying causal relations , but one cannot (or doesn’t want to) randomly assign participants to different groups (for practical or ethical reasons). Instead, with a quasi-experimental research design, the researcher relies on existing groups or pre-existing conditions to form groups for comparison.
For example, if you were studying the effects of a new teaching method on student achievement in a particular school district, you may be unable to randomly assign students to either group and instead have to choose classes or schools that already use different teaching methods. This way, you still achieve separate groups, without having to assign participants to specific groups yourself.
Naturally, quasi-experimental research designs have limitations when compared to experimental designs. Given that participant assignment is not random, it’s more difficult to confidently establish causality between variables, and, as a researcher, you have less control over other variables that may impact findings.
All that said, quasi-experimental designs can still be valuable in research contexts where random assignment is not possible and can often be undertaken on a much larger scale than experimental research, thus increasing the statistical power of the results. What’s important is that you, as the researcher, understand the limitations of the design and conduct your quasi-experiment as rigorously as possible, paying careful attention to any potential confounding variables .
There are many different research design types when it comes to qualitative studies, but here we’ll narrow our focus to explore the “Big 4”. Specifically, we’ll look at phenomenological design, grounded theory design, ethnographic design, and case study design.
Phenomenological Research Design
Phenomenological design involves exploring the meaning of lived experiences and how they are perceived by individuals. This type of research design seeks to understand people’s perspectives , emotions, and behaviours in specific situations. Here, the aim for researchers is to uncover the essence of human experience without making any assumptions or imposing preconceived ideas on their subjects.
For example, you could adopt a phenomenological design to study why cancer survivors have such varied perceptions of their lives after overcoming their disease. This could be achieved by interviewing survivors and then analysing the data using a qualitative analysis method such as thematic analysis to identify commonalities and differences.
Phenomenological research design typically involves in-depth interviews or open-ended questionnaires to collect rich, detailed data about participants’ subjective experiences. This richness is one of the key strengths of phenomenological research design but, naturally, it also has limitations. These include potential biases in data collection and interpretation and the lack of generalisability of findings to broader populations.
Grounded Theory Research Design
Grounded theory (also referred to as “GT”) aims to develop theories by continuously and iteratively analysing and comparing data collected from a relatively large number of participants in a study. It takes an inductive (bottom-up) approach, with a focus on letting the data “speak for itself”, without being influenced by preexisting theories or the researcher’s preconceptions.
As an example, let’s assume your research aims involved understanding how people cope with chronic pain from a specific medical condition, with a view to developing a theory around this. In this case, grounded theory design would allow you to explore this concept thoroughly without preconceptions about what coping mechanisms might exist. You may find that some patients prefer cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) while others prefer to rely on herbal remedies. Based on multiple, iterative rounds of analysis, you could then develop a theory in this regard, derived directly from the data (as opposed to other preexisting theories and models).
Grounded theory typically involves collecting data through interviews or observations and then analysing it to identify patterns and themes that emerge from the data. These emerging ideas are then validated by collecting more data until a saturation point is reached (i.e., no new information can be squeezed from the data). From that base, a theory can then be developed .
As you can see, grounded theory is ideally suited to studies where the research aims involve theory generation , especially in under-researched areas. Keep in mind though that this type of research design can be quite time-intensive , given the need for multiple rounds of data collection and analysis.
Ethnographic Research Design
Ethnographic design involves observing and studying a culture-sharing group of people in their natural setting to gain insight into their behaviours, beliefs, and values. The focus here is on observing participants in their natural environment (as opposed to a controlled environment). This typically involves the researcher spending an extended period of time with the participants in their environment, carefully observing and taking field notes .
All of this is not to say that ethnographic research design relies purely on observation. On the contrary, this design typically also involves in-depth interviews to explore participants’ views, beliefs, etc. However, unobtrusive observation is a core component of the ethnographic approach.
As an example, an ethnographer may study how different communities celebrate traditional festivals or how individuals from different generations interact with technology differently. This may involve a lengthy period of observation, combined with in-depth interviews to further explore specific areas of interest that emerge as a result of the observations that the researcher has made.
As you can probably imagine, ethnographic research design has the ability to provide rich, contextually embedded insights into the socio-cultural dynamics of human behaviour within a natural, uncontrived setting. Naturally, however, it does come with its own set of challenges, including researcher bias (since the researcher can become quite immersed in the group), participant confidentiality and, predictably, ethical complexities . All of these need to be carefully managed if you choose to adopt this type of research design.
Case Study Design
With case study research design, you, as the researcher, investigate a single individual (or a single group of individuals) to gain an in-depth understanding of their experiences, behaviours or outcomes. Unlike other research designs that are aimed at larger sample sizes, case studies offer a deep dive into the specific circumstances surrounding a person, group of people, event or phenomenon, generally within a bounded setting or context .
As an example, a case study design could be used to explore the factors influencing the success of a specific small business. This would involve diving deeply into the organisation to explore and understand what makes it tick – from marketing to HR to finance. In terms of data collection, this could include interviews with staff and management, review of policy documents and financial statements, surveying customers, etc.
While the above example is focused squarely on one organisation, it’s worth noting that case study research designs can have different variation s, including single-case, multiple-case and longitudinal designs. As you can see in the example, a single-case design involves intensely examining a single entity to understand its unique characteristics and complexities. Conversely, in a multiple-case design , multiple cases are compared and contrasted to identify patterns and commonalities. Lastly, in a longitudinal case design , a single case or multiple cases are studied over an extended period of time to understand how factors develop over time.
As you can see, a case study research design is particularly useful where a deep and contextualised understanding of a specific phenomenon or issue is desired. However, this strength is also its weakness. In other words, you can’t generalise the findings from a case study to the broader population. So, keep this in mind if you’re considering going the case study route.
Having worked through all of these potential research designs, you’d be forgiven for feeling a little overwhelmed and wondering, “ But how do I decide which research design to use? ”. While we could write an entire post covering that alone, here are a few factors to consider that will help you choose a suitable research design for your study.
Data type: The first determining factor is naturally the type of data you plan to be collecting – i.e., qualitative or quantitative. This may sound obvious, but we have to be clear about this – don’t try to use a quantitative research design on qualitative data (or vice versa)!
Research aim(s) and question(s): As with all methodological decisions, your research aim and research questions will heavily influence your research design. For example, if your research aims involve developing a theory from qualitative data, grounded theory would be a strong option. Similarly, if your research aims involve identifying and measuring relationships between variables, one of the experimental designs would likely be a better option.
Time: It’s essential that you consider any time constraints you have, as this will impact the type of research design you can choose. For example, if you’ve only got a month to complete your project, a lengthy design such as ethnography wouldn’t be a good fit.
Resources: Take into account the resources realistically available to you, as these need to factor into your research design choice. For example, if you require highly specialised lab equipment to execute an experimental design, you need to be sure that you’ll have access to that before you make a decision.
Keep in mind that when it comes to research, it’s important to manage your risks and play as conservatively as possible. If your entire project relies on you achieving a huge sample, having access to niche equipment or holding interviews with very difficult-to-reach participants, you’re creating risks that could kill your project. So, be sure to think through your choices carefully and make sure that you have backup plans for any existential risks. Remember that a relatively simple methodology executed well generally will typically earn better marks than a highly-complex methodology executed poorly.
We’ve covered a lot of ground here. Let’s recap by looking at the key takeaways:
If you need a helping hand with your research design (or any other aspect of your research), check out our private coaching services .
This post was based on one of our popular Research Bootcamps . If you're working on a research project, you'll definitely want to check this out ...
Is there any blog article explaining more on Case study research design? Is there a Case study write-up template? Thank you.
Thanks this was quite valuable to clarify such an important concept.
Thanks for this simplified explanations. it is quite very helpful.
This was really helpful. thanks
Thank you for your explanation. I think case study research design and the use of secondary data in researches needs to be talked about more in your videos and articles because there a lot of case studies research design tailored projects out there.
Please is there any template for a case study research design whose data type is a secondary data on your repository?
This post is very clear, comprehensive and has been very helpful to me. It has cleared the confusion I had in regard to research design and methodology.
This post is helpful, easy to understand, and deconstructs what a research design is. Thanks
This post is really helpful.
how to cite this page
Thank you very much for the post. It is wonderful and has cleared many worries in my mind regarding research designs. I really appreciate .
how can I put this blog as my reference(APA style) in bibliography part?
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Last updated
3 April 2024
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Creative and innovative minds dream up big ideas that build the trends of tomorrow, but the research behind the scenes is often the secret sauce to company success. Businesses need a way to learn how their products or services will resonate with the market and where to invest their marketing efforts.
Save time, highlight crucial insights, and drive strategic decision-making
Data collected from research products can help you verify theories, understand customer behavior , and quantify KPIs for a clear picture of how to improve business practices.
Many types of research projects can help businesses find ways to fuel growth and adapt to market changes. These five examples of market research projects highlight the various ways businesses can use research and measurable data to grow successfully and avoid poor investments.
It's important for businesses of all sizes to understand the competitive landscape and where they stand in comparison to direct competitors. By identifying your competitors and evaluating their strengths and weaknesses, you can find ways to position your company for greater success.
Competitive analysis can be used to better understand the market, improve marketing methods, and identify underserved customers.
The goals of competitive analysis may include:
Identifying your company's position in the market
Uncovering industry trends
Finding new marketing techniques
Identifying a new target customer base
Planning for new product innovation
Competitive research is conducted by identifying competitors and analyzing their performance. After identifying your direct competitors and gathering data about their products and services, you can dig deeper to learn more about how they serve customers. This may include gathering information about sales and marketing strategies, customer engagement , and social media strategies.
When analyzing direct competitors, organizing information about your competitors' attributes, strategies, strengths, and weaknesses will help you reveal themes that give you greater insight into the market.
Example 2: market segmentation.
Every business relies on customers for success. Researching your target audience and your potential position in the market is essential to developing strong marketing plans.
Market segmentation can be used to plan marketing campaigns, identify ideal product prices, and personalize your brand.
The goals of market segmentation research may include:
Identifying the target audience
Planning for new products or services
Expanding to a new location
Improving marketing efforts
Personalizing communications with customers
Improving customer satisfaction
There are many ways to collect and organize data for market segmentation research. Depending on your products and services, you might choose to divide your target population into groups based on demographics, location, behavior patterns, lifestyle aspects, etc. Organizing such data allows you to create buyer personas and test marketing strategies.
Companies must invest significant time and money into the development of a new product . Product development research is an important part of promoting a successful launch of a new product.
The goals of product development research may include:
Forecasting the usage of products
Identifying accurate pricing
How products compare to competitors
Potential barriers to success
How customers will respond to new or updated products
Product development research includes studies conducted during the planning phase all the way through prototype testing and market planning. Research may include online surveys to determine which demographics would be most interested in the product or how a new product might be used. Advanced studies can include product testing to gather feedback about issues customers are having or features that could be improved.
According to the CallMiner Churn Index 2020 , U.S. companies lose $168 billion per year due to avoidable consumer switching. Customer satisfaction leads to loyalty and repeat purchases. Furthermore, happy customers leave good reviews and act as natural brand ambassadors.
Findings from customer satisfaction surveys can help companies get a better understanding of the customer journey and develop new processes.
The goals of customer satisfaction research may include:
Understanding overall customer satisfaction
Finding bottlenecks or points along the customer journey that decrease the level of customer satisfaction
Measuring the level of likelihood to recommend to others ( Net Promoter Score )
Measuring customer satisfaction may include surveys to determine satisfaction with the company, opinions about the sales process, or about a specific process like the user-friendliness of an app or company website. This can be achieved by organizing data derived from customer interviews , customer satisfaction surveys , reviews, and customer loyalty programs.
No product or business is without competition. Establishing your brand in the market can help you stand out from the crowd. Brand research can help you understand whether your marketing campaigns are reaching their goals and how customers perceive your brand.
Some goals of brand research may include:
Positioning your brand more competitively in the marketplace
Measuring the effectiveness of brand marketing
Determining the public perception of your brand
Developing new marketing campaigns
Tracking brand success on a regular basis
There are a variety of ways to conduct research about how consumers perceive your brand. In-person focus groups can help you get an in-depth view of how your brand is perceived and why. Surveys can help you gather data surrounding brand preference, brand loyalty, and what people associate with your brand. Ongoing research in these areas can help you build your brand value over time and find ways to share your company mission and personality with consumers.
Successfully running a business requires you to be well-informed on product development, branding, customer service, industry trends, marketing, sales, organizational processes, employee satisfaction , and more.
Various research products can help you stay informed and up-to-date in all these areas. However, determining where to focus your efforts and invest your capital can be challenging. These actions can help you find ideas for your next research project.
Remember, research is conducted to satisfy a question or reach a goal. Identify problems that impact customer retention , sales, or company performance. Use these problems to determine which types of research topics are most likely to help your company achieve greater success. If performance is low, consider a research project to determine employee satisfaction levels and identify how to improve them. If sales are low, consider research into sales processes or customer satisfaction.
New products or services help companies grow and attract more customers. However, they require a big upfront investment from your organization. You can prove that your next big idea will be a hit by developing research projects around the need for a new product and your target customers. Solid data is often needed to convince company leaders and stakeholders to invest in a new product or service.
Where do you stand in comparison to your competitors? If you're unsatisfied with your position in the market, learning more about what your competitors are doing right can help you determine how to improve.
Shallow or vague research topics can lead to lackluster results that don't really add value to your studies. To conduct a successful research project, it's important to develop a plan that will yield productive data. When choosing a topic for your next research project, look for these characteristics.
The topic is relevant to your current position
The idea is manageable (research can be conducted with your resources and budget)
The project has a specific and focused goal
You can clearly define and outline the scope of the project
The subject matter isn't too broad or narrow to yield useful results
While research can be science-based or for academic purposes, market research is conducted for a variety of reasons to help businesses grow or reach new levels of success. Understanding market research goals is the key to developing highly effective research projects that yield useful data. By examining examples of different research projects and your organizational goals, you can more easily decide where to focus your efforts.
There isn't a single topic that provides the best research project for every researcher. The best research topics serve a purpose like gaining a deeper understanding of a specific phenomenon, solving problems, improving processes, generating ideas, etc. Finding the best topic for research requires an investigation into what type of research project is likely to yield the most effective results.
The structure of your research project should clarify what you will investigate, why it is important, and how you will conduct your research. To get funding or approval for a research project, researchers are often required to submit a research proposal which acts as a blueprint and guide for a research plan. Any formal or informal research plan should include these features.
The identity and position of the researcher
An introduction of the topic and why it's relevant
The objective of the project and why you think the research is worth doing
An overview of existing knowledge on the topic
A detailed list of practical steps for how you will reach your objective, including gathering data and how you'll gain insights from the data you obtain
A clear timeline of the project and the planned project budget
A project is a planned set of activities with a specific outcome, while a research project is the investigation of data, sources, and facts to reach new conclusions. In a business context, a project may be the development of a marketing campaign, planning a new product or service, or establishing new policies. Research projects use relevant data to fuel business projects and activities.
Practical research projects can range across a variety of subjects and purposes. Research is often conducted to further medical knowledge, change and adapt laws, address economic changes, advance academic studies, or improve business success. Here are a few examples.
How eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables affects advanced Crohn's disease
How to improve customer satisfaction by 20% in six weeks
The impact of increasing voter turnout by 25% on the presidential election
The percentage increase of new customers with the addition of online enrollment for banking services
The most effective way to improve employee retention in a company with 1,000 employees
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In business, you should never make decisions on the fly. This is true especially for important business decisions that deals with the financial status of the business. Making decisions without proper thought or extensive research is not only costly for the company but also affects the long-term sustainability of the organization. You may also see baseline project plan examples .
Research is important for business organizations, either for profit companies and also for nonprofit organizations. To help you create a research project plan, here are some research project plan examples you can use and download for free.
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Here are some important tips in creating a research project plan. Take note that a research plan comprises one step in your company achieving profitability and sustainability. When you want to venture into a new business, specifically starting a new project, you first need to do research, and a research project plan helps you identify problems and create solutions for your new project.
First and foremost, you need to choose a project that can help your business attain higher revenues. Never use company resources to fund a research plan for your own personal hobby. This does not benefit the company in any way and will only cause unnecessary losses for your company.
If you are a business owner, discuss possible projects with your management team. Together, you can brainstorm and finalize on the project you are going to pursue. Think of projects that are going to bring in income for your business. This may be an expansion project or a project that ventures into another industry (for example, your business provides laundry services but you want to invest in a fast-food chain).
Remember, choosing a project will not immediately mean that your going to fund it right away. That is why you need to create a research project plan first before you start purchasing materials or begin working on your actual project.
After a choosing the project to work on, it’s now time to work on the details of the actual research action plan . There are numerous research materials and research procedures you can choose from, but choosing the right ones will be crucial in the result of the research action plan.
The research materials will depend on the project you chose. Look for research materials that will help you identify problems as well as create solutions for the problems being identified.
Choose established theories and research strategies that can help you in your study. You can find these theories and strategies from hundreds of books, publications, journals, and online resources that are available at your disposal (or at your nearest public library).
Establishing a timeline will help you create a blueprint for your research action plan. The timetable helps you focus which tasks to prioritize and which tasks to work on later. Additionally, a timetable helps you set a concrete deadline for the research action plan. A timetable gives you additional focus and extra motivation. You may also see comprehensive project plan examples .
Remember that working on a project requires time, and you should not be in a rush to create your research action plan. Depending on the size of the project, the research action plan should amount to at least six months to one year including the data gathering phase, creating the first draft, presenting the plan to the management team, and making the final revisions of the research action plan.
Having a timeline also helps you eliminate last-minute stress in creating the action plan . When you establish a timetable beforehand, you will have more time to research and create a plan that will eventually result to a more well-researched and well-written research action plan.
Together with the timeline, a preliminary outline also gives you a guide on how to create an effective research action plan. Create an outline on what you are going to list down and discuss in the research action plan . To help you create a preliminary outline, list down the main topics that you intend to cover and organize them in a loose order.
To help you keep track of your progress, you can always write your outline in a journal. This way, you can easily revise and add ideas in which you can think can benefit the research action plan. Also in the journal, you can list down questions you think can further develop your research, as well as adding information from the sources you previously gathered. You may also like community project plan examples .
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Here are the types of data gathering procedures you can use for your research project plan . You may use one or a combination from the research gathering procedures listed below. Your research will be dependent on the data or information you gather. A research should never rely on mere assumptions, but data that is both gathered and analyzed.
Conducting an interview is one of the most common yet most effective forms of data gathering. Interviews can either be done in personal or by telephone (smartphone).
There is one rule of thumb when doing interviews: be prepared. You can never obtain quality information if you go into an interview without preparing the questions beforehand or making an outline on how to conduct the actual interview. You will only be embarrassing yourself to the respondent (or the recipient of the interview). You may also like migration project plan examples .
Take note that when making the questions for the interview, the questions should be focused, clear, and should encourage open-ended responses. Depending on the nature of your interview, you should get the most out of your respondents. Even if the questions are answerable by a phrase or a sentence, it should still encourage multiple answers from your respondents. You may also check out agile project plan examples .
Handing out general questionnaires is also another popular and effective data gathering procedure. Compared to interviews, questionnaires are less formal since they are just given to the respondents and the researcher would just wait for the respondent to finish answering the questionnaires. Also, there is no pressure when the respondent answers the questionnaire compared to being interviewed face-to-face.
Sometimes in an interview, the interviewer asks a certain question and follows it up with another question, making the respondent uneasy in answering the question instead. The respondent may not be able to answer the question in the manner that he intended to be since he was pressured by the interviewer to answer a specific type of answer which will be preferred to his study. You might be interested in quality project plan examples .
Compared to open-ended answers from respondents in an interview, questionnaire or general survey results are easier to compile and analyze. Additionally, questionnaire responses can be analyzed with quantitative methods by assigning numerical values to Likert-type scales.
Observation meanwhile pertains to the researcher obtaining data by doing observations to a group of respondents. Observations allow researchers to study dynamics of a situation, frequency counts of target behaviors, or other behaviors as indicated by needs of the evaluation. You may also see marketing project plan examples .
Observations are specifically effective in obtaining information about a particular group and can also produce qualitative (e.g., narrative data) and quantitative data (e.g., frequency counts, mean length of interactions, and instructional time). You may also like what is a project management plan?
Observations, together with focus groups (as discussed below) are less used compared to interviews and questionnaires/surveys.
Focus groups are similar to observations, but focused groups are conducted by groups instead of individuals. The aim of a focus group-type of data gathering procedure is to obtain information about combined perspectives and opinions. The responses meanwhile are often coded into categories and analyzed thematically. You may also check out nonprofit project plan examples .
General Documents and records meanwhile pertain to the researcher basically gathering and examining data gathered from numerous sources (e.g., books, publications, novels, online sources). This type of data gathering procedure does not focus on the respondents but on the other information and analysis formulated in the research action plan.
Books and online references are not the only sources the researcher can obtain data, as he can also gather data from databases, meeting minutes, reports, attendance logs, financial records, and newsletters.
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To further help you in creating a research project plan, here is a sample research project plan outline. Take note that the research project plan below is only an outline and does not include comprehensive analysis, which is a requirement for a standard research project plan. You may also see construction project plan examples .
1. introduction.
This research action plan aims to identify the possibility of High Energy Sports Store, Inc. opening one new store by the end of 2018 and two new stores by mid 2019. High Energy has been in operations for over three years, with three stores currently in operations. The store is the official authorized reseller of popular athletic shoe brand Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour and also sells various sportswear from the said brands. You may also like quality management plan examples .
This research action plan aims to answer the following questions:
The research will utilize the distribution of survey questionnaires as the main data gathering procedure. The research will involve 100 respondents and the demographic of the respondents are specifically regular customers of the current stores which are currently in operations.
The said survey questionnaires will be given to the customers once they arrive in the stores. If they are not available to fill out the questionnaires, the questionnaires will be sent to their respective email addresses or social media accounts. Before the questionnaires are given out, High Energy will have a master list of the respondents.
*The recommendations will base from the data gathered and analyzed from the respondents, and will also answer the questions as listed in the “ Statement of the Problem .”
*The conclusion will stem from the recommendations and will also support the findings from the data that was gathered and analyzed.
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We hope you found this article to be informative as well as helpful when you will be creating your own research action plan. A research action plan is necessary for the company to avoid jumping right into conclusions when deciding to invest in a new project or venture.
Take note that a research plan comprises one step in your company achieving profitability and sustainability. When you want to venture into a new business, specifically starting a new project, you first need to do research, and a research project plan helps you identify problems and create solutions for your new project.
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Researchers can conduct studies on large populations. It is highly unusual for researchers to be able to get information from every member of a group of individuals they are studying. If you are researching a large population, you can pick a sample .
The population that will participate in the study is the sample. Using samples, researchers may perform their experiments more quickly and with more manageable data. This article will explain the definition of a sample in research, what a sample is in statistics with examples, how researchers choose a sample, and how to determine the correct sample size for your research with all details.
A sample is a condensed, controllable representation of a larger group . It is a subgroup of people with traits from a wider population . When the population size is too large for the test to include all potential participants or observations, samples are utilized in statistical testing.
The definition of a sample
To put it simply: a sample is a more manageable and compact version of a bigger group. A sampler population possesses the traits of a bigger group. A sample is utilized in statistical analysis when the population size is too big to include all individuals or observations in the test.
A sample is an analytical subset of a larger population in statistics . The sample should be representative of the population as a whole and should not show bias toward any particular characteristic. The researcher gains knowledge from the sample that can be applied to the entire population.
Sampling is an essential component of the research design as it gathers information that can be used in a research study. Probability sampling and non probability sampling are the essential methodologies that define sampling techniques.
Sampling methodologies
Probability sampling is a sampling technique that entails randomly picking a sample or a section of the population. It is also known as random sampling . When procedures are established to guarantee that each unit within a population has an equal probability of being picked , this is known as random selection. Here are 4 types of probability sampling designs that are frequently used.
Simple random sampling takes a random selection from the whole population with an equal probability of selection for each unit. The most typical method of choosing a random sample is the one.
Consider creating a list of every person in the population and giving them a number. Using a random number table, random number table, or random number generator, you choose samples at random from this population.
Stratified sampling randomly chooses a sample from one or more strata or population subgroups . Each group is distinguished from the others based on a shared trait, such as age, gender, color, and religion.
By doing this, you can ensure that your sample population sufficiently represents each subgroup of a particular community. For example, if you divide a student population by university majors, Architecture, Linguistics, and Teaching departments, students are three different tiers within that population.
The cluster sampling method divides the population into clusters , which are smaller groupings. Then, you choose a sample of people at random from these clusters. Large or geographically distributed populations are frequently studied using cluster sampling.
For example, you may divide all cities into neighborhoods or clusters and then choose the areas with the most significant population while filtering by mobile device users to see how well your goods perform across a city.
When using systematic sampling , units are chosen at regular intervals beginning at a random point , drawing a random sample from the target population. Every member of the population is assigned a number in systematic sampling , but rather than being a random selection procedure, people are picked out at predetermined intervals.
For example, while 1000 vaccine volunteers are selected from a list of 5000 applicants, each applicant is given a number from 1 to 5000. A sample of 1000 volunteers can then be obtained by starting at 1 and selecting each participant on 10 to an item scale.
When the number of units in the population is either unknown or difficult to identify individuals , nonprobability sampling approaches are utilized in quantitative and qualitative research. Additionally, it is employed when you wish to limit the results’ applicability to a particular group or organization rather than the broader populace.
Besides the advantages of non-probability sampling, the most significant disadvantage is the possibility of sampling bias. As the sample selection process unfairly favors some population members over others. Here are some types of nonprobability sampling:
Convenience sampling comprises those who are easiest to research by the researcher. Researchers selected these samples only because they are simple to compile , and they did not think to choose a sample representative of the total population.
For example, researchers conducted a shopping mall response survey to understand a product manufacturer's likelihood of customers using the products. In this sampling method, sample participants are selected based on their proximity to the survey table and their willingness to participate in the research.
Snowball sampling is used to recruit participants through other participants if the population is difficult to reach. As you interact with additional individuals, your network of contacts "snowballs" in size.
For example, you are looking into local homeless people's experiences. Since there is no list of every homeless person in the city, probability sampling is not an option. One of the persons you meet agrees to participate in the research, and the homeless person refers you to other local homeless people he knows.
Purposive sampling is frequently employed in qualitative research when the researcher prefers to learn in-depth information about a particular phenomenon versus drawing general conclusions from statistics or when the population is relatively tiny and focused.
For instance, a researcher wants to learn more about how people with persistent headaches live. In such instances, they can choose a sample of people diagnosed with persistent headaches using purposive sampling.
The sample size is crucial for reliable, statistically meaningful results and a smooth research operation. You should learn the fundamentals of the statistics involved to select the appropriate sample size , considering a few distinct elements that may affect your study.
The population size is the total number of individuals that can be included in the study. To determine the appropriate population size, you should be clear about who belongs or doesn’t belong in your group.
Errors are inevitable in research studies. The margin of error is represented by a percentage, which is a statistical inference about the confidence that the number of respondents accurately represents the opinions of the whole population.
The confidence level value measures your degree of certainty on how closely a sample reflects the total population within your chosen margin of error. The most prevalent are the 90%, 95%, and 99% confidence intervals.
The standard deviation indicates how much variation you can expect in your responses. A safe value to use as a guide is 0.5 , which denotes that significant sample size is required.
Sample size formula
You may select the appropriate sample size by considering various factors affecting your study. You may compute the sample using an online calculator or read on to learn how to do it by hand.
The Z-score displays how far a certain ratio deviates from the mean by standard deviation. You should translate your degree of confidence into a Z-score.
For the most typical confidence levels, the Z-scores are as follows:
Use the following formula to perform the calculation manually.
For example, you select a 95% confidence level. Let the population size be 1000, and the margin of level be 5. Based on these data, your sample size would be 370.
A sample is a particular group from which you will gather data. You should employ a sample when your population is sizable , spread geographically , or challenging . The population, sample, and sample frame are different from each other. Here are the frequently asked questions about the sample.
Sample and population are closely related concepts, so they can often be confused. We will explain the differences between them so that you can distinguish between the sample and population.
Population refers to the entire group of individuals about which you want to draw conclusions. On the other hand, sample refers to the group of people you will collect data from.
A sample is more manageable, minor, and representative of a bigger group. The sample size is always less than the total population size. When a population is too vast for all the members or observations to be included in the test, a sample is employed in statistical analysis.
A sample is a group of participants chosen from a broader population of interest; it is an essential component of the research. On the other hand, sample frames are crucial for researchers to maintain organization and guarantee that the most recent data for a population is being used. Here are the differences between sample and sample frame:
The sample is a smaller group of people or units chosen from a larger population for a survey or research project. In contrast, a sample frame is an exhaustive enumeration of all the elements or people that comprise the population from which the sample is taken.
The sample is a subset of the population's elements chosen for research, whereas the sample frame is a comprehensive list or inventory of all population items.
In conclusion, a sample is a group or subset of persons or things chosen from a broader population to study or assess particular traits or behaviors. To guarantee that every member of the population has an equal chance of being chosen, the sample should be representative of the people from which it is collected or selected using a random sampling procedure.
Selecting the appropriate sample technique based on the research topic , budget , and available resources . Additionally, the accuracy and generalizability of the results are greatly influenced by the sample size.
This article has explained what a sample is in research methodology, what sample is in research examples, and how to determine the correct sample size. You can learn more about the research by reading this article.
Sena is a content writer at forms.app. She likes to read and write articles on different topics. Sena also likes to learn about different cultures and travel. She likes to study and learn different languages. Her specialty is linguistics, surveys, survey questions, and sampling methods.
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A title page is required for all APA Style papers. There are both student and professional versions of the title page. Students should use the student version of the title page unless their instructor or institution has requested they use the professional version. APA provides a student title page guide (PDF, 199KB) to assist students in creating their title pages.
The student title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation, course number and name for which the paper is being submitted, instructor name, assignment due date, and page number, as shown in this example.
Title page setup is covered in the seventh edition APA Style manuals in the Publication Manual Section 2.3 and the Concise Guide Section 1.6
Student papers do not include a running head unless requested by the instructor or institution.
Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the student title page.
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Paper title | Place the title three to four lines down from the top of the title page. Center it and type it in bold font. Capitalize of the title. Place the main title and any subtitle on separate double-spaced lines if desired. There is no maximum length for titles; however, keep titles focused and include key terms. |
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Author names | Place one double-spaced blank line between the paper title and the author names. Center author names on their own line. If there are two authors, use the word “and” between authors; if there are three or more authors, place a comma between author names and use the word “and” before the final author name. | Cecily J. Sinclair and Adam Gonzaga |
Author affiliation | For a student paper, the affiliation is the institution where the student attends school. Include both the name of any department and the name of the college, university, or other institution, separated by a comma. Center the affiliation on the next double-spaced line after the author name(s). | Department of Psychology, University of Georgia |
Course number and name | Provide the course number as shown on instructional materials, followed by a colon and the course name. Center the course number and name on the next double-spaced line after the author affiliation. | PSY 201: Introduction to Psychology |
Instructor name | Provide the name of the instructor for the course using the format shown on instructional materials. Center the instructor name on the next double-spaced line after the course number and name. | Dr. Rowan J. Estes |
Assignment due date | Provide the due date for the assignment. Center the due date on the next double-spaced line after the instructor name. Use the date format commonly used in your country. | October 18, 2020 |
| Use the page number 1 on the title page. Use the automatic page-numbering function of your word processing program to insert page numbers in the top right corner of the page header. | 1 |
The professional title page includes the paper title, author names (the byline), author affiliation(s), author note, running head, and page number, as shown in the following example.
Follow the guidelines described next to format each element of the professional title page.
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Paper title | Place the title three to four lines down from the top of the title page. Center it and type it in bold font. Capitalize of the title. Place the main title and any subtitle on separate double-spaced lines if desired. There is no maximum length for titles; however, keep titles focused and include key terms. |
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Author names
| Place one double-spaced blank line between the paper title and the author names. Center author names on their own line. If there are two authors, use the word “and” between authors; if there are three or more authors, place a comma between author names and use the word “and” before the final author name. | Francesca Humboldt |
When different authors have different affiliations, use superscript numerals after author names to connect the names to the appropriate affiliation(s). If all authors have the same affiliation, superscript numerals are not used (see Section 2.3 of the for more on how to set up bylines and affiliations). | Tracy Reuter , Arielle Borovsky , and Casey Lew-Williams | |
Author affiliation
| For a professional paper, the affiliation is the institution at which the research was conducted. Include both the name of any department and the name of the college, university, or other institution, separated by a comma. Center the affiliation on the next double-spaced line after the author names; when there are multiple affiliations, center each affiliation on its own line.
| Department of Nursing, Morrigan University |
When different authors have different affiliations, use superscript numerals before affiliations to connect the affiliations to the appropriate author(s). Do not use superscript numerals if all authors share the same affiliations (see Section 2.3 of the for more). | Department of Psychology, Princeton University | |
Author note | Place the author note in the bottom half of the title page. Center and bold the label “Author Note.” Align the paragraphs of the author note to the left. For further information on the contents of the author note, see Section 2.7 of the . | n/a |
| The running head appears in all-capital letters in the page header of all pages, including the title page. Align the running head to the left margin. Do not use the label “Running head:” before the running head. | Prediction errors support children’s word learning |
| Use the page number 1 on the title page. Use the automatic page-numbering function of your word processing program to insert page numbers in the top right corner of the page header. | 1 |
What is a research project.
A research project is an academic, scientific, or professional undertaking to answer a research question . Research projects can take many forms, such as qualitative or quantitative , descriptive , longitudinal , experimental , or correlational . What kind of research approach you choose will depend on your topic.
The best way to remember the difference between a research plan and a research proposal is that they have fundamentally different audiences. A research plan helps you, the researcher, organize your thoughts. On the other hand, a dissertation proposal or research proposal aims to convince others (e.g., a supervisor, a funding body, or a dissertation committee) that your research topic is relevant and worthy of being conducted.
Formulating a main research question can be a difficult task. Overall, your question should contribute to solving the problem that you have defined in your problem statement .
However, it should also fulfill criteria in three main areas:
Research questions anchor your whole project, so it’s important to spend some time refining them.
In general, they should be:
All research questions should be:
A research aim is a broad statement indicating the general purpose of your research project. It should appear in your introduction at the end of your problem statement , before your research objectives.
Research objectives are more specific than your research aim. They indicate the specific ways you’ll address the overarching aim.
Once you’ve decided on your research objectives , you need to explain them in your paper, at the end of your problem statement .
Keep your research objectives clear and concise, and use appropriate verbs to accurately convey the work that you will carry out for each one.
I will compare …
Your research objectives indicate how you’ll try to address your research problem and should be specific:
Research objectives describe what you intend your research project to accomplish.
They summarize the approach and purpose of the project and help to focus your research.
Your objectives should appear in the introduction of your research paper , at the end of your problem statement .
The main guidelines for formatting a paper in Chicago style are to:
To automatically generate accurate Chicago references, you can use Scribbr’s free Chicago reference generator .
The main guidelines for formatting a paper in MLA style are as follows:
To format a paper in APA Style , follow these guidelines:
No, it’s not appropriate to present new arguments or evidence in the conclusion . While you might be tempted to save a striking argument for last, research papers follow a more formal structure than this.
All your findings and arguments should be presented in the body of the text (more specifically in the results and discussion sections if you are following a scientific structure). The conclusion is meant to summarize and reflect on the evidence and arguments you have already presented, not introduce new ones.
The conclusion of a research paper has several key elements you should make sure to include:
Don’t feel that you have to write the introduction first. The introduction is often one of the last parts of the research paper you’ll write, along with the conclusion.
This is because it can be easier to introduce your paper once you’ve already written the body ; you may not have the clearest idea of your arguments until you’ve written them, and things can change during the writing process .
The way you present your research problem in your introduction varies depending on the nature of your research paper . A research paper that presents a sustained argument will usually encapsulate this argument in a thesis statement .
A research paper designed to present the results of empirical research tends to present a research question that it seeks to answer. It may also include a hypothesis —a prediction that will be confirmed or disproved by your research.
The introduction of a research paper includes several key elements:
and your problem statement
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by Allison Gutleber
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — OSU Researchers completed an electrical mapping project that helps protect the U.S. power grid.
Adam Schultz, a Professor of Geophysics at OSU and a lead researcher on the electrical mapping project, says the difference about this project is that the data has been made public immediately.
When the project began in 2006, researchers deployed instruments across the continental U.S. every 70 kilometers to survey the energy below the surface. Large equipment was moved to stations for several months to capture data.
The original goal of the project was to determine the structure and evolution of the North American continent. The original goal was achieved but over time there was a new opportunity that presented itself.
"It became obvious that the data we were collecting was actually very important to the electric power industry because what happens is, for example, recently we had a big aurora in May that you could see in Oregon and actually this past week as well," said Schultz.
Space weather impacts such as the geomagnetic storms we’ve seen recently can put the grid under stress and it was not intended to handle it.
Shultz explains in extreme cases this can cause parts of the power grid to go down. The last time they saw this was back in 1989 which did impact the providence of Quebec and northern states in the U.S.
"The data will help the power industry determine the intensity of the geomagnetic storms we have recently encountered with the Aurora Borealis. So this is a big issue and our data will help the power industry determine the intensity of the geomagnetic induced currents that they can expect," Schultz said.
Schultz adds Homeland Security found impacts on critical infrastructure.
"So we are helping contribute to mitigating risk to all of the infrastructure that everyone depends on in this country," he says.
Published: August 08, 2024
One of the most underrated skills you can have as a marketer is marketing research — which is great news for this unapologetic cyber sleuth.
From brand design and product development to buyer personas and competitive analysis, I’ve researched a number of initiatives in my decade-long marketing career.
And let me tell you: having the right marketing research methods in your toolbox is a must.
Market research is the secret to crafting a strategy that will truly help you accomplish your goals. The good news is there is no shortage of options.
Thanks to the Internet, we have more marketing research (or market research) methods at our fingertips than ever, but they’re not all created equal. Let’s quickly go over how to choose the right one.
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What are you researching? Do you need to understand your audience better? How about your competition? Or maybe you want to know more about your customer’s feelings about a specific product.
Before starting your research, take some time to identify precisely what you’re looking for. This could be a goal you want to reach, a problem you need to solve, or a question you need to answer.
For example, an objective may be as foundational as understanding your ideal customer better to create new buyer personas for your marketing agency (pause for flashbacks to my former life).
Or if you’re an organic sode company, it could be trying to learn what flavors people are craving.
Next, determine what data type will best answer the problems or questions you identified. There are primarily two types: qualitative and quantitative. (Sound familiar, right?)
Understanding the differences between qualitative and quantitative data will help you pinpoint which research methods will yield the desired results.
For instance, thinking of our earlier examples, qualitative data would usually be best suited for buyer personas, while quantitative data is more useful for the soda flavors.
However, truth be told, the two really work together.
Qualitative conclusions are usually drawn from quantitative, numerical data. So, you’ll likely need both to get the complete picture of your subject.
For example, if your quantitative data says 70% of people are Team Black and only 30% are Team Green — Shout out to my fellow House of the Dragon fans — your qualitative data will say people support Black more than Green.
(As they should.)
You’ll also want to understand the difference between primary and secondary research.
Primary research involves collecting new, original data directly from the source (say, your target market). In other words, it’s information gathered first-hand that wasn’t found elsewhere.
Some examples include conducting experiments, surveys, interviews, observations, or focus groups.
Meanwhile, secondary research is the analysis and interpretation of existing data collected from others. Think of this like what we used to do for school projects: We would read a book, scour the internet, or pull insights from others to work from.
So, which is better?
Personally, I say any research is good research, but if you have the time and resources, primary research is hard to top. With it, you don’t have to worry about your source's credibility or how relevant it is to your specific objective.
You are in full control and best equipped to get the reliable information you need.
Once you know your objective and what kind of data you want, you’re ready to select your marketing research method.
For instance, let’s say you’re a restaurant trying to see how attendees felt about the Speed Dating event you hosted last week.
You shouldn’t run a field experiment or download a third-party report on speed dating events; those would be useless to you. You need to conduct a survey that allows you to ask pointed questions about the event.
This would yield both qualitative and quantitative data you can use to improve and bring together more love birds next time around.
Now that you know what you’re looking for in a marketing research method, let’s dive into the best options.
Note: According to HubSpot’s 2024 State of Marketing report, understanding customers and their needs is one of the biggest challenges facing marketers today. The options we discuss are great consumer research methodologies , but they can also be used for other areas.
1. interviews.
Interviews are a form of primary research where you ask people specific questions about a topic or theme. They typically deliver qualitative information.
I’ve conducted many interviews for marketing purposes, but I’ve also done many for journalistic purposes, like this profile on comedian Zarna Garg . There’s no better way to gather candid, open-ended insights in my book, but that doesn’t mean they’re a cure-all.
What I like: Real-time conversations allow you to ask different questions if you’re not getting the information you need. They also push interviewees to respond quickly, which can result in more authentic answers.
What I dislike: They can be time-consuming and harder to measure (read: get quantitative data) unless you ask pointed yes or no questions.
Best for: Creating buyer personas or getting feedback on customer experience, a product, or content.
Focus groups are similar to conducting interviews but on a larger scale.
In marketing and business, this typically means getting a small group together in a room (or Zoom), asking them questions about various topics you are researching. You record and/or observe their responses to then take action.
They are ideal for collecting long-form, open-ended feedback, and subjective opinions.
One well-known focus group you may remember was run by Domino’s Pizza in 2009 .
After poor ratings and dropping over $100 million in revenue, the brand conducted focus groups with real customers to learn where they could have done better.
It was met with comments like “worst excuse for pizza I’ve ever had” and “the crust tastes like cardboard.” But rather than running from the tough love, it took the hit and completely overhauled its recipes.
The team admitted their missteps and returned to the market with better food and a campaign detailing their “Pizza Turn Around.”
The result? The brand won a ton of praise for its willingness to take feedback, efforts to do right by its consumers, and clever campaign. But, most importantly, revenue for Domino’s rose by 14.3% over the previous year.
The brand continues to conduct focus groups and share real footage from them in its promotion:
What I like: Similar to interviewing, you can dig deeper and pivot as needed due to the real-time nature. They’re personal and detailed.
What I dislike: Once again, they can be time-consuming and make it difficult to get quantitative data. There is also a chance some participants may overshadow others.
Best for: Product research or development
Pro tip: Need help planning your focus group? Our free Market Research Kit includes a handy template to start organizing your thoughts in addition to a SWOT Analysis Template, Survey Template, Focus Group Template, Presentation Template, Five Forces Industry Analysis Template, and an instructional guide for all of them. Download yours here now.
Surveys are a form of primary research where individuals are asked a collection of questions. It can take many different forms.
They could be in person, over the phone or video call, by email, via an online form, or even on social media. Questions can be also open-ended or closed to deliver qualitative or quantitative information.
A great example of a close-ended survey is HubSpot’s annual State of Marketing .
In the State of Marketing, HubSpot asks marketing professionals from around the world a series of multiple-choice questions to gather data on the state of the marketing industry and to identify trends.
The survey covers various topics related to marketing strategies, tactics, tools, and challenges that marketers face. It aims to provide benchmarks to help you make informed decisions about your marketing.
It also helps us understand where our customers’ heads are so we can better evolve our products to meet their needs.
Apple is no stranger to surveys, either.
In 2011, the tech giant launched Apple Customer Pulse , which it described as “an online community of Apple product users who provide input on a variety of subjects and issues concerning Apple.”
"For example, we did a large voluntary survey of email subscribers and top readers a few years back."
While these readers gave us a long list of topics, formats, or content types they wanted to see, they sometimes engaged more with content types they didn’t select or favor as much on the surveys when we ran follow-up ‘in the wild’ tests, like A/B testing.”
Pepsi saw similar results when it ran its iconic field experiment, “The Pepsi Challenge” for the first time in 1975.
The beverage brand set up tables at malls, beaches, and other public locations and ran a blindfolded taste test. Shoppers were given two cups of soda, one containing Pepsi, the other Coca-Cola (Pepsi’s biggest competitor). They were then asked to taste both and report which they preferred.
People overwhelmingly preferred Pepsi, and the brand has repeated the experiment multiple times over the years to the same results.
What I like: It yields qualitative and quantitative data and can make for engaging marketing content, especially in the digital age.
What I dislike: It can be very time-consuming. And, if you’re not careful, there is a high risk for scientific error.
Best for: Product testing and competitive analysis
Pro tip: " Don’t make critical business decisions off of just one data set," advises Pamela Bump. "Use the survey, competitive intelligence, external data, or even a focus group to give you one layer of ideas or a short-list for improvements or solutions to test. Then gather your own fresh data to test in an experiment or trial and better refine your data-backed strategy."
8. public domain or third-party research.
While original data is always a plus, there are plenty of external resources you can access online and even at a library when you’re limited on time or resources.
Some reputable resources you can use include:
It’s also smart to turn to reputable organizations that are specific to your industry or field. For instance, if you’re a gardening or landscaping company, you may want to pull statistics from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
If you’re a digital marketing agency, you could look to Google Research or HubSpot Research . (Hey, I know them!)
What I like: You can save time on gathering data and spend more time on analyzing. You can also rest assured the data is from a source you trust.
What I dislike: You may not find data specific to your needs.
Best for: Companies under a time or resource crunch, adding factual support to content
Pro tip: Fellow HubSpotter Iskiev suggests using third-party data to inspire your original research. “Sometimes, I use public third-party data for ideas and inspiration. Once I have written my survey and gotten all my ideas out, I read similar reports from other sources and usually end up with useful additions for my own research.”
If the data you need isn’t available publicly and you can’t do your own market research, you can also buy some. There are many reputable analytics companies that offer subscriptions to access their data. Statista is one of my favorites, but there’s also Euromonitor , Mintel , and BCC Research .
What I like: Same as public domain research
What I dislike: You may not find data specific to your needs. It also adds to your expenses.
Best for: Companies under a time or resource crunch or adding factual support to content
You’re not going to like my answer, but “it depends.” The best marketing research method for you will depend on your objective and data needs, but also your budget and timeline.
My advice? Aim for a mix of quantitative and qualitative data. If you can do your own original research, awesome. But if not, don’t beat yourself up. Lean into free or low-cost tools . You could do primary research for qualitative data, then tap public sources for quantitative data. Or perhaps the reverse is best for you.
Whatever your marketing research method mix, take the time to think it through and ensure you’re left with information that will truly help you achieve your goals.
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Home » Research Methodology – Types, Examples and writing Guide
Table of Contents
Definition:
Research Methodology refers to the systematic and scientific approach used to conduct research, investigate problems, and gather data and information for a specific purpose. It involves the techniques and procedures used to identify, collect , analyze , and interpret data to answer research questions or solve research problems . Moreover, They are philosophical and theoretical frameworks that guide the research process.
Research methodology formats can vary depending on the specific requirements of the research project, but the following is a basic example of a structure for a research methodology section:
I. Introduction
II. Research Design
III. Data Collection Methods
IV. Data Analysis Methods
V. Ethical Considerations
VI. Limitations
VII. Conclusion
Types of Research Methodology are as follows:
This is a research methodology that involves the collection and analysis of numerical data using statistical methods. This type of research is often used to study cause-and-effect relationships and to make predictions.
This is a research methodology that involves the collection and analysis of non-numerical data such as words, images, and observations. This type of research is often used to explore complex phenomena, to gain an in-depth understanding of a particular topic, and to generate hypotheses.
This is a research methodology that combines elements of both quantitative and qualitative research. This approach can be particularly useful for studies that aim to explore complex phenomena and to provide a more comprehensive understanding of a particular topic.
This is a research methodology that involves in-depth examination of a single case or a small number of cases. Case studies are often used in psychology, sociology, and anthropology to gain a detailed understanding of a particular individual or group.
This is a research methodology that involves a collaborative process between researchers and practitioners to identify and solve real-world problems. Action research is often used in education, healthcare, and social work.
This is a research methodology that involves the manipulation of one or more independent variables to observe their effects on a dependent variable. Experimental research is often used to study cause-and-effect relationships and to make predictions.
This is a research methodology that involves the collection of data from a sample of individuals using questionnaires or interviews. Survey research is often used to study attitudes, opinions, and behaviors.
This is a research methodology that involves the development of theories based on the data collected during the research process. Grounded theory is often used in sociology and anthropology to generate theories about social phenomena.
An Example of Research Methodology could be the following:
Research Methodology for Investigating the Effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in Reducing Symptoms of Depression in Adults
Introduction:
The aim of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) in reducing symptoms of depression in adults. To achieve this objective, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) will be conducted using a mixed-methods approach.
Research Design:
The study will follow a pre-test and post-test design with two groups: an experimental group receiving CBT and a control group receiving no intervention. The study will also include a qualitative component, in which semi-structured interviews will be conducted with a subset of participants to explore their experiences of receiving CBT.
Participants:
Participants will be recruited from community mental health clinics in the local area. The sample will consist of 100 adults aged 18-65 years old who meet the diagnostic criteria for major depressive disorder. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group.
Intervention :
The experimental group will receive 12 weekly sessions of CBT, each lasting 60 minutes. The intervention will be delivered by licensed mental health professionals who have been trained in CBT. The control group will receive no intervention during the study period.
Data Collection:
Quantitative data will be collected through the use of standardized measures such as the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7). Data will be collected at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and at a 3-month follow-up. Qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured interviews with a subset of participants from the experimental group. The interviews will be conducted at the end of the intervention period, and will explore participants’ experiences of receiving CBT.
Data Analysis:
Quantitative data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, and mixed-model analyses of variance (ANOVA) to assess the effectiveness of the intervention. Qualitative data will be analyzed using thematic analysis to identify common themes and patterns in participants’ experiences of receiving CBT.
Ethical Considerations:
This study will comply with ethical guidelines for research involving human subjects. Participants will provide informed consent before participating in the study, and their privacy and confidentiality will be protected throughout the study. Any adverse events or reactions will be reported and managed appropriately.
Data Management:
All data collected will be kept confidential and stored securely using password-protected databases. Identifying information will be removed from qualitative data transcripts to ensure participants’ anonymity.
Limitations:
One potential limitation of this study is that it only focuses on one type of psychotherapy, CBT, and may not generalize to other types of therapy or interventions. Another limitation is that the study will only include participants from community mental health clinics, which may not be representative of the general population.
Conclusion:
This research aims to investigate the effectiveness of CBT in reducing symptoms of depression in adults. By using a randomized controlled trial and a mixed-methods approach, the study will provide valuable insights into the mechanisms underlying the relationship between CBT and depression. The results of this study will have important implications for the development of effective treatments for depression in clinical settings.
Writing a research methodology involves explaining the methods and techniques you used to conduct research, collect data, and analyze results. It’s an essential section of any research paper or thesis, as it helps readers understand the validity and reliability of your findings. Here are the steps to write a research methodology:
Research methodology is typically written after the research proposal has been approved and before the actual research is conducted. It should be written prior to data collection and analysis, as it provides a clear roadmap for the research project.
The research methodology is an important section of any research paper or thesis, as it describes the methods and procedures that will be used to conduct the research. It should include details about the research design, data collection methods, data analysis techniques, and any ethical considerations.
The methodology should be written in a clear and concise manner, and it should be based on established research practices and standards. It is important to provide enough detail so that the reader can understand how the research was conducted and evaluate the validity of the results.
Here are some of the applications of research methodology:
Research methodology serves several important purposes, including:
Research methodology has several advantages that make it a valuable tool for conducting research in various fields. Here are some of the key advantages of research methodology:
Research Methodology | Research Methods |
---|---|
Research methodology refers to the philosophical and theoretical frameworks that guide the research process. | refer to the techniques and procedures used to collect and analyze data. |
It is concerned with the underlying principles and assumptions of research. | It is concerned with the practical aspects of research. |
It provides a rationale for why certain research methods are used. | It determines the specific steps that will be taken to conduct research. |
It is broader in scope and involves understanding the overall approach to research. | It is narrower in scope and focuses on specific techniques and tools used in research. |
It is concerned with identifying research questions, defining the research problem, and formulating hypotheses. | It is concerned with collecting data, analyzing data, and interpreting results. |
It is concerned with the validity and reliability of research. | It is concerned with the accuracy and precision of data. |
It is concerned with the ethical considerations of research. | It is concerned with the practical considerations of research. |
Researcher, Academic Writer, Web developer
Theoretically, it’s impossible for us to perceive a 4D creature. That is, unless it broke into our three-dimensional reality.
The book Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin A. Abbott explores the concept of physical dimensions through characters who encounter higher-dimensional beings. The protagonist, “A. Square,” lives in a two-dimensional world called Flatland. When the three-dimensional “Sphere” visits him, Square realizes that a whole world exists that he never could have imagined. Eventually, his interactions with Sphere open his mind to the possibility of even higher dimensions.
Higher dimensions are a necessary feature in mathematics as the only way to understand certain concepts. For example, string theory—so far, our best explanation for how the tiniest particles in the universe behave—requires the existence of higher physical dimensions. Otherwise, the behavior of vibrating “strings” that theorists think make up all particles cannot work. Today’s physicists accept the theoretical possibility that our universe started out with as many as 11 dimensions .
Over the years, experiments and mathematical modeling have provided some inkling of four-dimensional characteristics. For example, two-dimensional experiments in both the U.S. and in Europe 2018 showed evidence of a four-dimensional existence because scientists could make logical inferences based on how electrons behave while undergoing a specific change in their electric charge. First, the electrons moved in one direction through an electrically conductive material. When researchers put a magnetic field perpendicular to the material, it forced the electrons to divert either to the left or to the right. The electrons were essentially stuck in two dimensions. Physicists involved in the experiment extrapolated that a comparable effect would occur in the fourth dimension, and that we would see its effects in our familiar third dimension.
In other words, we can see evidence of the fourth dimension in our own. As three-dimensional beings, we cast a two-dimensional shadow. The same principle could be true for four-dimensional beings who could leave traces of themselves in our world. To understand how, let’s start with the basic concept of how different dimensions relate to one another.
As residents of a three-dimensional world, we easily perceive three dimensions: height (or length), width, and depth. We can travel up and down, left and right, and forward and backward. And we know the lower dimensions. The zeroth dimension is a point, which has no height, width, or depth. The first dimension branches out, becoming a line, with length only. Nothing would exist beyond this line to a one-dimensional creature. Two-dimensional shapes, like the characters in Flatland, are what we can draw on paper, like squares and circles. They have both width and length, and they can also travel in these directions. A two-dimensional creature wouldn’t be able to escape the piece of paper they live on, however, because they simply cannot perceive anything other than two dimensions. With the addition of a third dimension, a far richer reality emerges, because now the shape can travel up and down, leaping right off the paper. This is the shape of the universe we know and take for granted.
Now comes the tricky part. To step into higher dimensions, you’re basically making a right angle to the previous shape: first squaring the line for the second dimension, and then cubing the line to reach the third dimension. To step up to the fourth dimension, you need to do the same thing—make a right angle to the cube, extending it into a “ hypercube ,” or tesseract. Four lines connect to every point, and every surface is a cube. Sometimes physicists describe the fourth dimension as a space that’s perpendicular to a cube. (Feeling lost yet?) This description, while geometrically accurate, is not much help—no brain wired for a 3D world can understand what a tesseract or other higher-dimension object actually looks like. So theoretically, we would not be able to perceive a four-dimensional being with our senses—unless they somehow physically accessed our three-dimensional reality.
How would we see aliens from higher dimensions if they entered our three-dimensional world? “Well, it depends on what part of the 4D object is passing through our 3D space,” science communicator Toby Hendy explains. She provides a neat visualization of what it would be like to see a four-dimensional object in our three-dimensional reality on her YouTube channel, Tibees. Supposing there is a four-dimensional ball, Hendy holds out her hand, and a little red ball of yarn pops into existence on it. “Right now, we see a small sphere, because this slice is near the edge of the 4D ball,” she says. As the ball moves through our world, it appears to grow. As it moves out of our plane of existence, it shrinks again, then disappears. “The 4D ball still exists, but our slice of space does not contain it,” Hendy concludes. On the other hand, a 4D being would be able to see the ball and know exactly where it is, she says.
In the same way, an alien from the fourth dimension may pass largely undetected through a “slice” of our three-dimensional universe. Only a part of it would appear, materializing out of nowhere, and then we would see more and more of its parts. But we’d never be able to see all of it at once, because we can’t actually see the fourth dimension with our senses. Finally, it would shrink down to nothing again.
If you can’t quite wrap your head around that (we don’t blame you) then think of it this way: The square in Flatland cannot comprehend the third dimension. So how would it perceive a sphere, a three-dimensional object, invading its two-dimensional plane of existence? Imagine you are the square on the sheet of paper. As the sphere descends onto the sheet in front of you, you start to see a small circle appearing (out of nowhere). This is the leading “slice” of the sphere that’s entering your two dimensions. Gradually, as the sphere continues passing through your two-dimensional plane, the circle—which indicates the diameter of the sphere’s body—gets larger and larger, until the middle of the sphere is fully in your plane. This slice of sphere then shrinks, until nothing is left. At this point, the sphere has traveled completely out of your 2D universe.
For us, that means aliens might be larger than they appear, because we would see only a three-dimensional slice of them at a time. This is exemplified in the games Miegakure and 4D Miner , where you can experience a four-dimensional world through our comprehensible three-dimensional perceptions. So, objects like trees and hills appear and disappear, since our perception of them changes as we move through three-dimensional space. The 4D “hyperspider” predators in 3D Miner are extra menacing because they can move through objects as they hunt us. That’s because a four-dimensional object can slide through gaps that we can’t perceive or access.
Once we hit higher dimensions, it becomes even more difficult to picture what the beings living in there would be like, and how they would interact with our three-dimensional lives. Mathematically, you can keep going with these dimensional iterations, and make cool-looking models. In the end, even models like these four-dimensional shapes are overly simple analogies for a complex reality that’s out of our reach.
So, what would a four-dimensional alien make of us if they visited our three-dimensional reality? Theory suggests they would be able to see inside of us. Just as we can see an array of objects scattered over a two-dimensional surface, all at once from our vantage point in the third dimension, a four-dimensional being would be able to see all of us at once. Kind of creepy.
Perhaps while they are studying us, we have no clue. Based on what we know about physical dimensions, it may be hard to detect an alien spacecraft popping into our space. Could it be that if any UFO sightings are truly related to aliens, they’re hard to prove because the aliens can easily slip away into a higher dimension?
Before joining Popular Mechanics , Manasee Wagh worked as a newspaper reporter, a science journalist, a tech writer, and a computer engineer. She’s always looking for ways to combine the three greatest joys in her life: science, travel, and food.
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During this summer’s Bowers Undergraduate Research Experience, Joyce Yang ’27, a computer science major, worked with Cornell’s EmPRISE Lab to develop a robotic system to transfer a patient from a bed to a wheelchair.
By louis dipietro cornell ann s. bowers college of computing and information science..
Research takes time.
“On top of classes and extracurricular commitments, I often struggle to find enough time for research during the semester,” said James Kim ’25, a computer science and math major.
But this summer, thanks to the Bowers Undergraduate Research Experience (BURE) , Kim, along with 60 of his undergraduate peers from the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science, can give research the time it requires. In the process, Kim is discovering a career path. Working alongside Amy Kuceyeski , adjunct associate professor of statistics and data science and professor of mathematics in radiology and of mathematics in neuroscience in the Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute at Weill Cornell Medicine, Kim uses machine learning models to analyze brain scans and predict the onset of various neurological disorders. He plans to pursue a doctoral degree in computer science, with a focus on artificial intelligence, neuroscience and health care.
Kabir Samsi ’26, a computer science major and music minor, spent his summer working in a Cornell lab as part of the Bowers Undergraduate Research Experience.
“What I was able to get done over two months during the semester, I got done in maybe a week or two here during the summer,” Kim said. “BURE has been extremely worthwhile. The mentorship and the support have been priceless.”
Hosted by the Cornell Bowers CIS and encompassing Cornell’s Ithaca campus and Cornell Tech in New York City, BURE is a 10-week summer program where Cornell undergraduates are paired with one of nearly 40 faculty mentors and their doctoral students to tackle a specific research project. BURE students work full time for an hourly wage or a research stipend. Open to all Cornell Bowers CIS undergraduates, the program is meant to give undergraduate students a preview of the open, free-form nature of research so that they can decide whether pursuing a doctoral degree is the right choice, said Adrian Sampson , associate professor of computer science and a BURE mentor.
“If students are at all considering a career in research, it does not make sense to immediately apply to a Ph.D. program without doing any,” said Sampson, who is mentoring six undergraduate students in his Computer Architecture and Programming Abstractions (CAPRA) lab this summer. “By the end of the summer, I hope students get a sense of whether this is something they want to do long term. Maybe they like research, or they don’t. There’s no shame in either direction.”
BURE student Joyce Yang ’27 is working with the EmPRISE Lab , directed by Tapomayukh Bhattacharjee , assistant professor of computer science, to develop a robotic system that can safely transfer a care recipient from a bed to a wheelchair. While there has been limited research on this topic, human transferring is one of caregivers’ most challenging daily tasks, making her work all the more meaningful, Yang said.
“With research, I think it’s fun that you never really know when you’re going to be done with a project, and that it can go as far as you’d like it to go,” said Yang, a computer science major. “There’s a possibility of discovering or inventing something that’s novel, and, especially with robotics, something that could truly have a positive impact in people’s lives.”
Along with research opportunities, BURE offers a series of weekly talks from mentors about life as a researcher, and regular social events throughout the summer. At BURE’s conclusion, participating students showcase their work during a research symposium.
BURE has given Kabir Samsi ’26 the time and experience to decide what he’d like to do after his undergraduate studies, he said.
“The experience has been fantastic,” said Samsi, a computer science major and music minor who is working in Sampson’s CAPRA Lab on a project related to packet scheduling, a model for improving the way computer systems handle flows of data. “I think it's hugely inspired me to want to continue a path of research.”
New this summer is BURE Next , run by the Cornell Bowers CIS’s Office of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging. It was created to encourage research opportunities for undergraduate students from underrepresented groups everywhere – not just at Cornell; anyone can apply. Four students are participating in BURE Next this summer.
BURE is offered every summer, and Cornell Bowers CIS students can apply via the college’s website .
Louis DiPietro is a writer for the Cornell Ann S. Bowers College of Computing and Information Science.
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17 Research Proposal Examples. Written by Chris Drew (PhD) | January 12, 2024. A research proposal systematically and transparently outlines a proposed research project. The purpose of a research proposal is to demonstrate a project's viability and the researcher's preparedness to conduct an academic study.
Research Project is a planned and systematic investigation into a specific area of interest or problem, with the goal of generating new knowledge, insights, or solutions. It typically involves identifying a research question or hypothesis, designing a study to test it, collecting and analyzing data, and drawing conclusions based on the findings.
Research proposal examples. Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We've included a few for you below. Example research proposal #1: "A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management".
Coming Up With a Research Question; Getting Ethics Approval; Struggling with a Literature Review; Qualitative, Quantitative or Mixed-Methods ; Data Collection; Working with Primary Data ; Using the Internet for Research; Data Management; Writing Up Your Research ; Preparing for the Research Project. Checklist for Negotiating Expectations ...
Methodology - the methods you will use for your primary research. Findings and results - presenting the data from your primary research. Discussion - summarising and analysing your research and what you have found out. Conclusion - how the project went (successes and failures), areas for future study.
Here's an example outline of a research plan you might put together: Project title. Project members involved in the research plan. Purpose of the project (provide a summary of the research plan's intent) Objective 1 (provide a short description for each objective) Objective 2. Objective 3.
The first question asks for a ready-made solution, and is not focused or researchable. The second question is a clearer comparative question, but note that it may not be practically feasible. For a smaller research project or thesis, it could be narrowed down further to focus on the effectiveness of drunk driving laws in just one or two countries.
The research topic is too broad (or just poorly articulated). The research aims, objectives and questions don't align. The research topic is not well justified. The study has a weak theoretical foundation. The research design is not well articulated well enough. Poor writing and sloppy presentation. Poor project planning and risk management.
Academic Research Proposal. This is the most common type of research proposal, which is prepared by students, scholars, or researchers to seek approval and funding for an academic research project. It includes all the essential components mentioned earlier, such as the introduction, literature review, methodology, and expected outcomes.
Research proposal examples. Writing a research proposal can be quite challenging, but a good starting point could be to look at some examples. We've included a few for you below. Example research proposal #1: 'A Conceptual Framework for Scheduling Constraint Management'.
research project for the first time might seem fairly intimidating. It doesn't need to be, though, and this study guide is designed to make sure that it isn't. This booklet is a guide to some of the most important aspects of research projects. Whether the project is as small as a research paper or as big as your final dissertation (or
A research design is a strategy for answering your research question using empirical data. Creating a research design means making decisions about: Your overall research objectives and approach. Whether you'll rely on primary research or secondary research. Your sampling methods or criteria for selecting subjects. Your data collection methods.
Before conducting a study, a research proposal should be created that outlines researchers' plans and methodology and is submitted to the concerned evaluating organization or person. Creating a research proposal is an important step to ensure that researchers are on track and are moving forward as intended. A research proposal can be defined as a detailed plan or blueprint for the proposed ...
A research topic is the subject of a research project or study - for example, a dissertation or thesis. A research topic typically takes the form of a problem to be solved, or a question to be answered. A good research topic should be specific enough to allow for focused research and analysis. For example, if you are interested in studying ...
The research process has numerous applications across a wide range of fields and industries. Some examples of applications of the research process include: Scientific research: The research process is widely used in scientific research to investigate phenomena in the natural world and develop new theories or technologies. This includes fields ...
Research design refers to the overall plan, structure or strategy that guides a research project, from its conception to the final analysis of data. Research designs for quantitative studies include descriptive, correlational, experimental and quasi-experimenta l designs. Research designs for qualitative studies include phenomenological ...
If you want to learn how to write your own plan for your research project, consider the following seven steps: 1. Define the project purpose. The first step to creating a research plan for your project is to define why and what you're researching. Regardless of whether you're working with a team or alone, understanding the project's purpose can ...
Many types of research projects can help businesses find ways to fuel growth and adapt to market changes. These five examples of market research projects highlight the various ways businesses can use research and measurable data to grow successfully and avoid poor investments. Example 1: Competitive analysis.
Research Project Timeline Example 1 Stage Activity Estimated duration Start date End date Deliverable Comments Research design and ... Draft research design section for final report Prepare research proposal Research proposal/ethical approval submission Literature review Search, capture and synthesise relevant literature Notes and other output ...
Sample Research Project Plan Outline. To further help you in creating a research project plan, here is a sample research project plan outline. Take note that the research project plan below is only an outline and does not include comprehensive analysis, which is a requirement for a standard research project plan. ...
The sample is a smaller group of people or units chosen from a larger population for a survey or research project. In contrast, a sample frame is an exhaustive enumeration of all the elements or people that comprise the population from which the sample is taken.
One paragraph that describes your "meta" observations about this archival research experience, in terms of the scope and purpose of the project as part of our course's theme and objectives; Notes from Heather. I tend to provide less instruction up front and work alongside students as they work through questions/considerations.
Example. Paper title. Place the title three to four lines down from the top of the title page. Center it and type it in bold font. ... For a professional paper, the affiliation is the institution at which the research was conducted. Include both the name of any department and the name of the college, university, or other institution, separated ...
A research project is an academic, scientific, or professional undertaking to answer a research question. Research projects can take many forms, such as qualitative or quantitative, descriptive, longitudinal, experimental, or correlational. What kind of research approach you choose will depend on your topic.
OSU Researchers completed an electrical mapping project which helps protect the U.S. power grid.Adam Schultz, a professor of geophysics at the OSU who is also
Project 2025's proposals in this policy area are broadly reflected in the Republican platform, which in addition to calling for the abolishing the Department of Education, aims to boost school ...
Some examples include conducting experiments, surveys, interviews, observations, or focus groups. Meanwhile, secondary research is the analysis and interpretation of existing data collected from others. Think of this like what we used to do for school projects: We would read a book, scour the internet, or pull insights from others to work from.
Research methodology formats can vary depending on the specific requirements of the research project, but the following is a basic example of a structure for a research methodology section: I. Introduction. Provide an overview of the research problem and the need for a research methodology section; Outline the main research questions and ...
For example, two-dimensional experiments in both the U.S. and in Europe 2018 showed evidence of a four-dimensional existence because scientists could make logical inferences based on how electrons ...
Hosted by the Cornell Bowers CIS and encompassing Cornell's Ithaca campus and Cornell Tech in New York City, BURE is a 10-week summer program where Cornell undergraduates are paired with one of nearly 40 faculty mentors and their doctoral students to tackle a specific research project.