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Unit 19 Synopsis

1. State two purposes of writing a research proposal or a synopsis.

Two purposes of writing a research proposal or a synopsis are:

• To provide a plan for research which includes a statement of the problem, research objectives and hypotheses, procedure and design of the study, the sample to be selected, the tools to be developed for the collection of data, and the quantitative or qualitative techniques to be used for the analysis and interpretation of data.
• To establish the problem and the logic underlying the research study.

2. What are the main components of a research proposal?

The main components of a research proposal are: 

• Title of the problem, 

• Introduction or Rationale of the study, 

• Statement of the problem, 

• Review of related literature, 

• Objectives of the study; 

• Research questions/hypotheses, 

• Definitions of terms, 

• Delimitations,

• Methodology, 

• Method of data analysis and interpretation, and 

• References

3. What is a research proposal or a synopsis?

A research proposal or synopsis is a document that outlines a research project. It is typically written after a research problem has been identified, and acts as a plan for the research. It includes a statement of the problem, the research objectives, hypotheses, the procedures and design, information about the sample and the data collection techniques, and the methods of analysis and interpretation.

4. Why is it important to formulate a hypothesis?

Formulating a hypothesis is important for two main reasons:

• A well-grounded hypothesis indicates that a researcher has sufficient knowledge in the area.
• The hypothesis gives direction for the collection and interpretation of the data.

5. What are the characteristics of a good hypothesis?

A good hypothesis should:

• Be testable.
• Have explanatory power.
• State the expected relationship between variables.
• Be consistent with the existing body of knowledge.
• Be stated as simply and concisely as possible.

6. What should be included in the 'sample' section of a synopsis?

The 'sample' section of a synopsis should:

• Describe the population from which the sample will be drawn.
• Describe the procedure that was followed in drawing the sample.
• Describe the unit of sample, its size, and its structure.
• Provide justification for the choice of sample.

7. What information about tools and techniques should be included in a synopsis?

The 'tools and techniques' section should include:

• A description of the various tools to be used for data collection.
• If the researcher is constructing the tool, the procedure for development of the tool should be described.
• In case of standardised tools, information regarding their validity, reliability, and norms should be mentioned.

8. Suppose you are planning to submit a research proposal to the Distance Education Council (DEC) or the Educational Research and Innovation Committee(ERlC) of NCERT for research grant. How would you develop such a proposal? 

To develop a research proposal for the Distance Education Council (DEC) or the Educational Research and Innovation Committee (ERIC) of NCERT, you would need to follow a structured approach:

1. Title of the Problem:

• The title should be concise, specific, and indicative of the study's theme. It should provide sufficient information about the nature of the study without being too long or complex. For example, "A Study of the Impact of Technology Integration on Student Engagement in Distance Education Programs."

2. Introduction/Rationale:

• Introduce the problem briefly, outlining its social and educational context.
• Discuss how the problem emerged and its importance to the field.
• Include a rationale that specifically justifies the need for the study. This should answer the question 'Why is this study needed?' You should discuss the current state of research in this area, particularly within the context of distance education, and highlight any gaps that your study aims to address.
• Emphasise the relevance, importance, and timeliness of the problem.
• Explain why this problem is researchable and within your competence as a researcher.

3. Statement of the Problem:

• Expand on the title, providing a clear explanation of the scope and area of the study. This section should provide a more detailed context and specific questions that you aim to explore in your research.

4. Brief Review of Related Literature:

• Present an overview of existing knowledge about the problem.
• Include both the theoretical background of the problem and previous research in the area.
• If the area is new, describe the concepts involved.
• Mention the latest research trends pertinent to the problem.
• Make it clear that your problem has roots in the existing literature, but requires further research. Show your awareness of the field and recent developments.

5. Objectives of the Study:

• Clearly state the objectives of the research. These should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
• Make sure the objectives indicate what you are trying to investigate.
• Without clear objectives, your research could be directionless.

6. Research Questions or Hypotheses:

• Frame clear and concise research questions or hypotheses that the study aims to answer.
• Hypotheses should be testable and derive from theoretical constructs or previous research. A hypothesis should be based upon available evidence and what the researcher seeks to prove through their study
• A well-grounded hypothesis indicates the researcher's knowledge in the area and directs the collection and interpretation of data. A good hypothesis must be testable, have explanatory power, state the expected relationship between variables, be consistent with existing knowledge, and be concisely stated.
• The questions should be aligned with the objectives, providing a direct focus for your investigation.

7. Definition of Terms:

• Define key terms used in the research, providing both constitutive and operational definitions.
• Operational definitions specify how concepts will be measured.

8. Methodology:

• Describe the research design. This is the blueprint of your research. The design should be fit for the chosen research problem and include (a) a clear statement of the problem, (b) the techniques used for gathering information, (c) the population to be studied, and (d) methods to analyse data.
• Include the research methods (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed).
• Specify the sample to be studied, including the size, structure, and sampling method.
• Describe the tools and techniques for data collection. Include any tools you might develop and their procedures for development. In the case of standardised tools, mention their validity, reliability, and norms.
• Outline the method of data analysis, detailing both qualitative and quantitative (statistical) techniques. Justify why you are using the techniques you selected.
• For historical research, mention methods of internal and external criticism. If you are using documents, explain your method of content analysis.

9. Time Schedule:

• Since you are submitting to a funding agency like DEC or ERIC, include a time schedule for completing the project.
• Break down the project into phases, specifying time for literature review, tool preparation, data collection, data analysis, and report writing.

10. Budget or Financial Estimates:

• Include details of the financial resources required for the project.
• Specify the expenses under various categories such as salaries for the project team, project fellows, field investigators, secretarial staff, costs of books and journals, tools, stationery, printing, data entry, analysis, and travel.

11. References:

• Include all the sources (books, articles) cited in the text, using a consistent citation format, such as APA.

9. Develop a research proposal on a research probiem of your choice.

Developing a Research Proposal on a Chosen Problem

As requested, here is an example of a proposal on a chosen research problem, following the above guidance.

Title: “The Effectiveness of Online Mentoring Programs on the Academic Performance of Distance Learners”.

1. Introduction:

• Distance education is a growing field, yet it faces challenges, including learner isolation, which can affect academic performance. Online mentoring programs have emerged as a potential solution, but more research is required to understand their impact on distance learners.
• The study is needed to address a gap in current research about the effectiveness of online mentoring programs on the academic performance of distance learners, exploring the specific mechanisms and student experiences that can increase their effectiveness.

2. Statement of the Problem:

• This study will investigate the effectiveness of online mentoring programs in improving the academic performance of distance learners. It will assess the correlation between learner involvement in mentoring and their performance in assignments and exams.

3. Review of Related Literature:

• Current literature explores the value of mentorship in higher education, with some studies focusing on its role in traditional settings. However, there's a need for a detailed review of studies specific to distance education, looking at methods, outcomes, and technologies.

4. Objectives of the Study:

• To assess the impact of online mentoring programs on the academic performance of distance learners.
• To identify the key features of effective online mentoring in distance education.
• To analyse the experiences of distance learners in online mentoring programs.
• To provide recommendations for future development and implementation of online mentoring.

5. Research Questions/Hypotheses:

• Research Question: How do online mentoring programs impact the academic performance of distance learners?
• Hypothesis: Distance learners who participate in online mentoring programs will achieve higher academic results compared to those who do not.

6. Definition of Terms:

• Online Mentoring: A formal relationship where an experienced individual provides guidance and support to a distance learner through digital communication.
• Academic Performance: A learner's achievement, measured by exam results, assignment grades, and other assessment methods.
• Distance Learners: Individuals enrolled in an educational program where they are physically separated from instructors and peers.

7. Methodology:

• Research Design: Mixed-methods approach combining quantitative and qualitative data collection. A quasi-experimental design will compare academic results of students who participated in online mentoring programs to those who did not. Qualitative data will be gathered to explore student experiences of the online mentoring programs.
• Sample: Distance learners enrolled in higher education programs. Stratified random sampling will ensure representation across demographics and courses. The sample size will be determined based on power analysis.
• Tools/Techniques: Quantitative data will be gathered through assessment scores and a survey instrument with closed questions about mentoring participation. Qualitative data will be collected through semi-structured interviews to understand the student’s experience.
• Data Analysis: Quantitative data will be analysed using statistical methods to measure correlations and variance. Qualitative data will undergo thematic analysis to identify and interpret common themes related to online mentoring experiences.

8. Time Schedule:

• Months 1-2: Literature review, tool preparation, and ethical approvals.
• Months 3-6: Data collection.
• Months 7-8: Data analysis.
• Months 9-10: Report writing and submission.

9. Budget:

• Salaries for project team: £20,000.
• Travel: £3,000.
• Tools and stationery: £1,000.
• Data analysis software: £1,000.
• Report printing and publication: £1,000.
• Total: £26,000.

10. References:

• Include a list of all cited works (e.g., Anderson & Garrison, 1995).