COURSE OUTLINE

1.      INTRODUCTION

1.1   Aim and Scope of the Course

1.2  The Need for Scientific Research

1.3  Identifying and Prioritizing Research Needs

1.4  Traits of a Researcher

2.      DEFINING RESEARCH AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

2.1  Definition of Research

2.2  The Scientific Method

2.3  Types of Research

2.4  Sampling Techniques

3.      GUIDE TO WRITING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

3.1  General Components of a Research Proposal

3.1.1        Introductory Section

¨      Background information on the structure and rationale of the study

¨      Describing the Research Problem

¨      Justifying the importance of the study and delimiting the scope

¨      Defining the Objectives of the Study and Terminologies

3.1.2        Review of Related Literature

¨      Basic Guidelines

¨      Conceptual/Theoretical Framework

¨      Hypothesis Formulation

3.1.3        Materials and Methods

¨      Description of Study Area

¨      Describing the variables/parameters to be studied

¨      Sampling Techniques

¨      The Research Design

¨      Data Collection and Analysis Methods

¨      Materials Required

3.1.4        Work plan and Budget

3.1.5        Bibliography/Literature Citations

4.      MANUSCRIPT (THESIS) WRITING AND PRESENTATION

¨      Introduction

¨      Pre-writing Considerations

¨      Types of technical reports

¨      Target group/stakeholder identification

¨      Structure and styles of writings