The Making of a Research Proposal

1. The Making of a Research Proposal Frans Schuurman CIDIN Radboud University/Nijmegen

2. Contents • The research proposal • The agency-structure matrix • Assignment

3. The paragraphs in the proposal • Introduction • Context/background • Theoretical framework • Research objective and research question • Methodology • Time-schedule • References

4. The components of the introduction A. Presentation of research theme + What do we know/where are we? B. What is the problem? The Debate C. What do we need to know? The Niche D. This is what I plan to do in my research.

5. A. Presentation of research theme. What do we know/where are we?(an example) • Decentralization is considered by many a good idea. • It experiences a lot of support among social scientists, policy-makers, social movements and NGOs. • Social-democrats as well as neo-liberals are enthusiastic.

6. B. The problem/The debate (example) • However, there are dissident voices. • Power asymmetry reproduced at local levels. • Lack of social capital. • Empowerment of the poor and marginalized people not necessarily enhanced.

7. C. What do we need to know? (example) • Need for information concerning impact of decentralization. • Specifically concerning the empowerment of the low-income groups.

8. D. This is the contribution of my research (example) • An analysis of the impact of decentralization on the empowerment of low-income groups in a municipality in Santiago de Chile.

9. The context/background • Elaborate the debate concerning theme • Relevant background of the case-study • Introduce shortly the next paragraph (the conceptual or theoretical framework) i.e. explain the importance to measure impact in terms of empowerment

10. Theoretical framework • Introduce concepts/models/theories • E.g. empowerment, participation, power structures, discourses, social capital, gender dimensions etc. • Compare, contrast… try to link the various concepts • Make your choice and defend it • Try to design a figure with the elements of your analytical framework

11. Research objective • Research objective = relevance • Social relevance • Policy relevance • Theoretical relevance • Relevance related to introduction (point C) and/or theoretical framework

12. Research question • Relates logically to research objective • Clear, as succint as possible, with place (and time) • Points to specific data • Avoid “how to solve the problem” question • Do not repeat research objective with a question mark • Definition and operationalization of concepts • Sub-questions follow from background-paragraph, theory and operationalization

13. Research methodology • In case of comparative research explain reasons why • refer to your theoretical framework in that case • In case of a stratified sample specify as much as possible categories of respondents • Explain the quota • However, do not introduce new information in this paragraph • Include pilot study • Sub-questions could lead to various research methods • Try to include preview of type(s) of data analysis

14. Time-schedule • Realistic • Do not forget to include pilot • Estimate length of interview according to pilot • Reflection at half-time • Prepare local presentation of research findings

15. References • Make reference notes from the first moment of orientation • Refer in research proposal to literature

16. Iteration • It doesn’t matter where you start in making your research proposal as long as the elements are logically related • Change in one of the elements means changes in previous or later paragraphs • Always control the research model after every change (=iteration).

17. Final control • Is an answer to my research question relevant in terms of my research objective? • Does my research question result in the type of knowledge I am looking for? And are the sub-questions really contributing and do they not move outside my field of knowledge? • Is my method of research correct and realistic?

18. Orientation phase • What is your research theme? Do you already have a question? • Is there a lot of information about that theme? About what aspects there is a shortage of info? Is there a debate? • Why do you find this research theme interesting? Why should others be interested (and specifically who?)? • How does your research theme relate to your academic discipline? • If you would formulate a ‘working hypothesis’ what would that be? • Is your conclusion about individuals, groups, situations and/or processes? • Do you already have an idea about sub-questions? • Did you already start with reading about the country or region of research? • Which methods are you going to use?

19. Key dichotomies in social research • Structure - Agency • System - Lifeworld • Cause - Meaning • Macro - Micro • Objectivity/etic - Subjectivity/emic • Quantitative - Qualitative • Rational - Irrational • Global - Local

20. Structure: core elements • Potentiality • An interrelated set of positions • Roles and resources attached to positions • Rules to define roles, resources and relations between positions

21. Agency: core elements • Personal endowments (human, social, financial, physical capital) • Internalized norms and values (habitus) • Structurally awarded resources (entitlements) • Experience (from the praxis) • Agenda/strategy

23. Structure-Agency Matrix micro macro structure actors

24. The Matrix: decentralisation macro micro structure actors

25. Assignment • theme • research objective and research question • the agency-structure matrix

26. Assignment for April 17 • theme/problem • research objective and research question • the agency-structure matrix • methods • 1 powerpoint slide for each of the above • mail to ‘buddy’ and to f.schuurman@maw.ru.nl • mail before april 13!!!! • prepare critical but constructive review of the proposal send to you. Put it on usb-stick • try to involve the audience. You have 10 minutes