Planning a Research Project

PLANNING
A RESEARCH PROJECT
By
Dr. Anamika Ray
Assistant Professor in Mass Communication
Gauhati University, Assam, India

Step-by-step Planning for a Research Project
A. Pre planning
 Research begins with an idea.
 It needs open, candid discussion.
 Parameters should be set to investigate the issue.
 Time frame and budget are two very significant factors which play
a pivotal role in research work.

B. Define a problem
 The problem of the research should be clear and focused.
 Each problem may have multiple interpretation.
 The research problem and purpose should be well balanced and
well coordinated.

C. Determine the Purpose
 The research project needs the determined purpose to
achieve the targeted goal.
 In exploratory study, the purpose is very simple- “What is out
there”.
 In descriptive study, it tells “How things are”.

D. Identify Constrains
 Ideally perusing a research project and reasonably doing the same
sometimes give a different picture.
 Ethics in research sometimes impose limitations on the progress of
project. Considering all aspects the feasible out come more often
depends on the available resource.
 Time and money can be very influential constrains at the time of
designing a research project.
 Availability of required manpower, space and equipment may give a
different dimension to the project.

E. Reviewing the research literature
 Review of literature helps to know about the already done work
on the same research area.
 It helps to provide methodology guidance to conduct the project
smoothly.

F. About the data
 The data collected from primary sources is more beneficial than
that of secondary sources.
 Primary data is considered more authentic.
 Primary data is collected by the researcher from the field.
 In case of secondary data the researcher reports on someone else’s
research work.

G. Deciding the other factors
 Proper required objectives (not more than 3) should be selected to
continue the project.
 The project should have a concrete hypothesis. It serves as a guide
for planning, collecting and analyzing data and reporting the
findings.
 Easy and comfortable research design should be made to conduct
the project.

H. Research Project must follow-
Three basic parts:
a. Choosing a method
b. Developing a methodology appropriate to that method
c. Data collection and data analysis

I. Choosing the method-
 Experiment :- In the classic experiment, sub subjects are divided
into a test group that receives a stimulus and a control group that is
not exposed to that stimulus.
 Survey :- Best option for collecting large amount of data.
 Content analysis :- It is a systematic investigation of messages in
fixed format – a survey of documents, broadly defined.
 Focus group :- It is a small group discussion facilitated by a
moderator.
 Observational research :- The researcher collects the data through
observation in a natural setting.

J. Developing the methodology-
The research methodology includes determining how to choose the
subject for the study and how to observe the phenomenon of
interest.

K. Working out the logistics-
It includes locating facilities, schedule in work and preparing and
pre testing the materials that will be needed for the actual data
collection.
L. Doing the research work-
Collect the necessary data and analyze them using the appropriate
quantitative and qualitative procedure.
M. Report Preparation
Finally report preparation based on the research work. It should be
comprehensive and focused.

Planning a Research Project

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