How to Conducting a Research Proposal

How to Conducting a Research Proposal

Abstract

Research proposal objectives are to present the justification for the need to study a research problem. The research problems accompany them the extensive literature review problems which again aim at affirming the information targeted from a research (Creswell, 2017, pg.20). This research, in particular, is conducted in the grip of the UK’s general elections but also provides a framework for a comprehensive research work. As it tries to give the general outline of a research proposal and the procedures followed during such research work, a case in hand is the research problem; connections between the news-media consumption and the general voting preference in the upcoming United Kingdom’s general elections. This is one of the research problems which adequately follows the steps of organizing and conducting a research proposal. The introduction outlines the research problem to be solved by answering some fundamental research questions designed as in the case of the questionnaires.  The background study briefly reviews the existing literature on the research topic and noting key theories and debates. The formulated questions for this research are two based purely on the study objectives. Sampling is a major technique vastly utilized during this research and it includes random sampling which revolves around probabilistic and non-probabilistic occurrences (Mertens, 2014, pg.267). The method for the data collection in this research are surveys and interviews, focus groups according to Ofcom’s research and policy analysis. Research ethics are extensively reviewed to fit the research objectives by upholding integrity, safety, and confidentiality of the 1,000 participants.

Introduction

Research proposals are usually conducted with the views and objectives of presenting the justification for the need to study a research problem. It also aims at presenting the practical ways in which the proposed study should be conducted. The standards within the predominant disciplines govern the design and procedures for conducting a research in which the problem resides (Creswell, 2017, pg.34). In comparison to the project proposals, the guidelines for research proposal are more interesting than the project proposals. Research proposals accompany them extensive literature reviews of the existing research works, perhaps on the related problem or even different one but similar. The literature review provides a skeleton information on the relationship that exists between the previous research and the current research problem. There are various reasons as to why the research proposals are assigned to the students by the lecturers. They include developing the skills in thinking and a comprehensive design study. Research proposals are also important since they train the learner on how to conduct a comprehensive literature review to ensure the research thesis or question has never been answered by anyone else. Additionally, the research proposals increase the general comprehensive, analytic writing skills which is one of the fundamental basis of gauging a superb student. Research proposals nature the sense of inquisitiveness and builds confidence as well as upholding the integrity of the students as far as conducting scholarly research is concerned (McNabb, 2015, pg.30). Any research proposal, therefore, must have a thesis statement or a research question which it seeks to address through the process. In this regard, a research is conducted exploring the connections between the news-media consumption and the general voting preference in the upcoming United Kingdom’s general elections. This research will analyze the existing data about the UK media consumption and the voting behavior.                

Background study

This section of the research helps to organize the proposal in a manner that the narrative will flow and be organized. There should be no assumption that the readers owe a knowledge about the research topic or question and so, the researcher attempts al means to make the research familiar to readers (Holland et al, 2014, pg.3). In the current voting system and the media, the researcher should develop the background information basing the reasons that none of the readers know why some voting patterns are associated with media. The background information is tasked to state the research problem and provide a detailed explanation concerning the purpose of the study. This is expected to cover more than the same content in the introduction. This section describes the problems which are addressed by the research. In this example, the research addresses the connections between the news-media consumption and the general voting preference in the upcoming United Kingdom’s general elections.

The study of the voting behavior has become complex in recent years in many countries. In fact, in some scenario, the much-anticipated winner of any type of election losses the seat. In this voting regard, this research can either be considered a qualitative or quantitative research based on the research design (Lasswell, 2013, pg.123). Nevertheless, for this case, I will consider the qualitative research which greatly depends on other literature materials. There are various things which determine a voting behavior in certain cohorts in any country. These factors include economic status, family background, social and religious beliefs. These are economic, psychological and sociological approaches towards understanding political behavior. Some authors also see the media as a central component which plays a major role in deterring the voting behavior of individuals. In close to all countries in the world today, the media has become the political battlefield for many politicians. In fact, the media is considered a prerequisite for political mileage for many aspirants. The medium theory is suggested as a tool to unravel the connections between political behavior and the media. This theory suggests that the widespread use of different media platforms is likely to stimulate different modes of thought. If the voters could maintain the source of the news as the printed papers or the television in an attempt to address the content of the media which voters consume and the political attitudes which assist in attracting the voters to a particular media. The media technology is subject to changes in its landscape and also taking into considerations the evolving nature of the political news. Many citizens eligible to vote owe different opinions and views regarding genres like the websites, blogs and political debates on the TV shows (Monaghan, 2011, pg.26). A fact is that most of the UK citizens are potentially affected by this type of media environment and consequently, their voting preference. Journalism is however seemingly pegged to democracy to shape optical opinions meaning from the media. Hence, this study will focus on the journalism and news media and their relationship to the voting preference.

Research questions

A research question should be formulated to help the reader understand the society as it at the time of conducting the research (Jackson, 2010, pg.124). The questions for a research are supposed to be systematic, independent, and robust and above all, ethical since unethical questions cannot gain approval from the experts to proceed to the research field. This is basically a qualitative research which seeks to understand why the voting behavior is connected to the various media. A case of the upcoming UK’s general elections. In accordance with this research problem, the possible questions for research include; (a). What attitudes and opinions do voters in different nations express upon considering their own media and voting habits and those of their acquaintances and why do they hold those opinions and attitudes? (b) To what extent are national differences in 2015 UK’s general election results associated with the national differences in media consumption among voters in regard to news sources and media formula?

Sampling

Sampling in research is a technique that aims at singling out the sample size in the population and generating data related to this sample size. The sampling technique is fundamental when doing a research proposal of a large population size. Sampling methods can be classified into two categories. One is the probability and non-probability sampling. In probability sampling, it’s possible to identify which sample size belongs to which larger sample and the probability that each of the samples will be selected (Lilleker, 2010, pg.70). Examples of probability sampling include Simple Random Sampling (SRS), stratified sampling, cluster, systematic and multistage sampling. The non-probability samplings are purely based on human choice rather than random selection. They include volunteer samples or quota sampling, and haphazard samples. In random sampling technique, everyone in the population needs to have a nonzero known probability of being part of the sample. The random sample allows for the use of statistical techniques to generalize the population to avoid bias and increase precision. Random sampling is done by listing all population units and then applying formulas to compute the necessary sample size keeping in mind the required analyses. What follows is a selection from the list to form a sampling design using a purely random procedure. During sampling, researchers expect random errors to occur because not everyone in the population is not asked the research questions. During data extraction from the sample size, nonresponse errors may occur and this is a failure to obtain data from the selected sample size or unit. The nonresponse errors may be due to omission. Illegibility, and refusals. If we do not use random sampling, research may become a complicated process which is rather expensive and time-consuming like in the 2015 UK Pre-election polls.

This research will combine analysis of existing survey data from the sample groups and also seek evidence from the other sources. The existing survey data comes from the UK communications regulator, Ofcom’s news consumption in the UK report of 2014 which contains reliable data regarding media consumption habits across the UK. The consumption habit includes information about respondents, internet connectivity, news sources, preferred media type and the purpose of news consumption (Chiang, 2011, pg. 797). This category of data contained a formidable sample size and was stratified by age brackets, religion sex, and social class. This study will benefit from the credibility, comprehensiveness, and size of the Ofcom’s survey data and gain little for attempting to replace it. A year before the 2015 election campaigns, a survey was conducted on behalf of Ofcom where a total of 2,731 participants answered the survey questions. Ofcom’s report at the data analysis stage indicates a profile imbalance though were corrected through weighing.  The Ofcom’s data helps in establishing a topography of UK residents’ news media habits (Holland et al, 2014, pg.4). This study proposes twelve groups across the United Kingdom to probe the human motivation and seek a deeper understanding of the voting behavior. Each focus group will consist of eight participants while the overall sampling seeks to diversify the demographic and political traits. The traits include age, sex, ethnicity, social grade and community type. Besides, other political traits in consideration for this sampling is the political self-identification which includes those who are politically active and the partisan and non-partisan and non-active. Care is, however, to select appropriate political affiliation in appropriate regions. When seeking the overall diverse sample, the composition of individual groups will be calculated as moderate diversity which aids discussion. Too much and detailed calculations are avoided because they will stifle the discussion.

Methods

A research method is a technique for collecting data. It may involve a specific instrument, such as a self-completion questionnaire or structured interview schedule or participant observation whereby the researcher listens to and watches others. The choice of research method is best determined by how best data can be collected. The various methods are applied when collecting data depending on whether the research is a qualitative or a quantitative. The methods include use questionnaires, interviews, document records, and surveys. Using questionnaire, for example, will require the effective design of the research questions targeting the selected sample and the type of research (Marshall, 2014, pg.11). The questions should revolve around building on the research thesis or a research question. In a questionnaire design, the question is referred to as an item that could be an actual question, a statement followed by a question or an instruction. This is the stem of a research followed by the response category. The answer option in the questionnaire should match the stem as much as possible. Interviews can be used to prepare questions in which a question may produce numerical data but is written in words. If the questions are too difficult for the respondent, meaningless or ambiguous, the research fails at that point since no effective data will be collected from the interviews to fill the questionnaires. Using questions to prepare data is a standardized process where you only get the answers to the questions asked and nothing more or less. The problems to be addressed require maximized responses, question phrasing, precision and correct layout. Surveys as a data collection method are mainly used in quantitative data. Using standardized questions on attitudes, values, and behaviors. Survey type can either be face to face, by telephone or self-completion.

In regard to the upcoming UK general elections, various data collection methods were used in the research on this question. It is necessary to combine different research methods while answering the posted research question. The secondary data analysis of the existing data will work for the understanding of the voting preference and media consumption in terms of the geographical dispersion of the focus groups. Both methods have drawbacks and merits hence they are selected to complement strengths and weaknesses. When the subject matter is complex, qualitative research methods become more useful (Vithal, 2012, pg. 92). Even though scholars postulate the study of the voting behavior has become increasingly complex, qualitative methods are required to untangle the role of the news media and other factors that drive voting preferences such as the socio-cultural background and psychology. The fact that these factors are correlated adds to the need for a qualitative approach in a research proposal. Focus on the groups is considered a unique method of qualitative research method. The method is intensively applied in the field of cultural studies and media where the researchers make the analysis on how audiences respond to television and radio programs, film newspaper, and newspapers articles. The key goal of the audience analysis is to understand the complexities involved in the understanding and interpreting media text. The focus group is dynamic according to the group dynamics they engender. In order to understand the consumption behavior of the media voters, secondary data analysis of the Ofcom survey is fundamental in exploring the types of media UK residents consume (Holland et al, 2014, pg.5).

Research ethics

Ethics in general definition is the set of standards by which a particular group or community decides to harmonize and regulate its behaviors in order to distinguish what is legit in pursuit of aims from what is illegitimate. Ethics are centered on the matters of principled sensitivity to the rights of others. In regard to the philosophical positions, ethics can be categorized into three subcategories (Cohen, 2013, pg. 125). They include the virtue ethics, utilitarian ethics, and deontological ethics. Deontological ethics emphasize the universal principles and imperative category. The virtue ethics focuses on the virtues, the practice of good traits while the utilitarian ethics focus on the outcomes and cost-benefit analysis. A research ethics, therefore, addresses the question of which relevant issues ethically arise from the intervention of the researchers that can as well be expected to impact on the people (Chiang, 2011, pg. 799). Moreover, research ethics are concerned with the procedures that should be applied for the protection of the people who participate in these research if need be. Research ethics are important because they give the participants in the research basic rights that must be respected. It also allows for the impact on the researchers and participants. Additionally, the researchers represent their discipline. Conducting research in an ethically proper manner implies taking into consideration and protecting safety, rights, and integrity of the participants and the researchers. Key principles underlying research ethics include avoiding harm benefits to participants, informed consent, voluntary participation, confidentiality, and anonymity while following the right procedure for research ethics. The research on the voting pattern and the media in the UK elections considered ethical implications.

Ethical research must emphasize on the fundamental rights of human dignity, protection, safety, and maximization of benefits among others. These acts as frameworks for developing ethical decisions. Factors such as informed consent, respect for privacy, protection of confidential data, and elimination of harm to participants are the factors that contribute to the ethical social research. Owing to the fact that Ofcom is well-known and established research firm, the data collected by this firm is therefore attributed to the best ethical qualities. Ethical considerations arise when conducting focus groups. In particular, this is with regards that the possibly contentious issues such as the political matters (Teney et al, 2010, pg.273). Anonymity issues exist when participants in the focus groups sit in the same room. This project puts forward another way of curbing ethical issues resulting from the grouped focus groups. This is with respect to the use of the participant confidentiality statement which stresses the importance of having an environment which fosters the atmosphere of trust. The participants will be given the opportunity to offer the informed consent which will be regularly reminded of their rights to quit the focus groups at any point. The names of the participants and other identifiers will be omitted from the list of the captured data and during the recording analysis of data and that will be stored securely and kept with relevant laws and regulations. It also useful to consider selecting the groups of friendly participants known to each other or grouping the participants based on the known political views.

Secondary data

Secondary data is the data that emanates from the existing data collected for the purposes of the prior study (Chiang, 2011, pg. 798). The secondary is also collected in order to pursue a research interest which is distinct from the original work. This data can be generated from the existing databases that are availed for analysis during the research. However, the secondary analysis has some disadvantages since the data may not fit the needs of the research. This study will heavily rely on the secondary sources and comprehension of the main data. One of the secondary sources is the piece from the Economic and Research Council (Vithal, 2012, pg. 95). This study explores part of an eleven-nation study exploring the news consumption and the news content and its influence on informed democracy. 1000 participants took part in a survey in Britain with questions related to the news content, a source of the news and the political views. In this research, the Curran’s survey and the Ofcom’s survey played a big role as far as the secondary sources although the Ofcom’s survey was extensively used in this research because the sample size provides fewer opportunities for subgroup analysis (Meade, 2015, pg. 664). A key secondary data source includes the 2015 voting results from The Electoral Commission and the media reports about 2015 general election.

Time and cost Resources

The Economic and Research Council (ESRC) requires the applicants for research grants who are proposing data collection for the demonstration that relevant data is not availed yet on the UK data archive. By bypassing the Ofcom’s News consumption in the UK, the 2014 survey data could preclude the funders of the proposed study from seeking ESRC support for future endeavors. The focus groups need significant costs, manpower and time resources to be executed effectively. Focus groups are of the essence in the UK and this case for holding the focus groups in the UK. This activity requires logistical support in terms of travel expenses, logistical supports, booking as well as recruiting participants. The phases of the focus group will be two with the first phase occurring for the first six months of the year and the last phase the last six months of the project window. This study proposes for small incentives to the focus group members as an appreciation. The research will require an adequate budget for the focus groups.

References

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Cohen, L., Manion, L. and Morrison, K., 2013. Research methods in education. Routledge. Pg     123-142

Creswell, J.W. and Creswell, J.D., 2017. Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed      methods approaches. Sage publications.pp. 12-24

Creswell, J.W. and Poth, C.N., 2017. Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among   five approaches. Sage publications. Pp. 34-37

Holland, O., Sastry, N., Ping, S., Knopp, R., Kaltenberger, F., Nussbaum, D., Hallio, J., Jakobsson,          M., Auranen, J., Ekman, R. and Paavola, J., 2014, September. A series of trials in the UK        as part of the Ofcom TV white spaces pilot. In Cognitive Cellular Systems (CCS), 2014 1st    International Workshop on(pp. 1-5). IEEE.

Jackson, P.T., 2010. The conduct of inquiry in international relations: philosophy of science and    its implications for the study of world politics. Routledge. Pp. 123-125

Lasswell, H.D. and Kaplan, A., 2013. Power and society: A framework for political inquiry.          Transaction Publishers. Pg 123

Lilleker, D.G. and Jackson, N.A., 2010. Towards a more participatory style of election      campaigning: The impact of Web 2.0 on the UK 2010 general election. Policy &         Internet, 2(3), pp.69-98.

Marshall, C. and Rossman, G.B., 2014. Designing qualitative research. Sage publications. Pg. 11-            23.

Meade, E.E. and Sheets, D.N., 2015. Regional influences on FOMC voting patterns. Journal of   Money, Credit, and Banking, 37(4), pp.661-677.

Mertens, D.M., 2014. Research and evaluation in education and psychology: Integrating diversity             with quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods. Sage publications. Pp. 265-278

McNabb, D.E., 2015. Research methods for political science: Quantitative and qualitative methods. Routledge. Pp. 24-65

Monaghan, M., 2011. Evidence versus politics: Exploiting research in UK drug policy making?.    Policy Press. Pp. 23-28

Teney, C., Jacobs, D., Rea, A. and Delwit, P., 2010. Ethnic voting in Brussels: Voting patterns     among ethnic minorities in Brussels (Belgium) during the 2006 local elections. Acta          political, 45(3), pp.273-297.

Vithal, R. and Jansen, J., 2012. Designing your first research proposal: a manual for researchers in education and the social sciences. Juta and Company Ltd. Pp. 90-98