Module 1 -- administered to EdUHK FLASS graduating students under the honours program.

1. Achieving ‘EDUHK’ in
Research
Proposal
Development
Mark Raygan E. Garcia
markraygan@yahoo.com

2. Leveling Of Expectations

3. Why are you
here?

4. M
O
T
I
V
A
T
I
O
N
F
E
A
R
S

5. Getting Down to Business
1 of 2

6. What is a
‘research
proposal’?
RESEARCH
a scientific process of inquiry or
investigation that elevates knowledge;
product of a research proposal
PROPOSAL
a recommendation seeking consideration
or approval from a second party on ‘what
is to be done and how to do it’

7. What is a
‘research
proposal’?
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
a document that outlines:
(1) what the proposed research is about
(2) what it is trying to find out or achieve
(3) how it will go about doing that
(4) what we will learn from it and why
that is worth learning

8. Why develop a
‘research
proposal’?
• Captures “what we want to find out” and “how we are
going to do it”
• Strengthens the study and its relevance, addressing
potential inconsistencies or duplication
• Achieves structure, direction and efficiency
• Facilitates collective understanding of research goals
• Increases chances at funding and broader acceptability

9. ‘4Ps’ View of Research Proposal
(Punch, K. [2000])
PHASE
crucial first phase that launches the research
project
PROCESS
involves the critical processes of planning,
designing and setting up the research, including
contextualization and literature support
PRODUCT
a product of study in itself presented as a
document for approval before proceeding with
the research project
PLAN
outlines the proposed plan for the execution of
the research

10. ‘EDUHK’ Qualities of a Research
Proposal
Engaging
Directive
Unique
Holistic
Keen

11. ‘EDUHK’ Qualities of a Research
Proposal
Engaging
• sparks active curiosity
• establishes connection
• builds shared ownership
“This research seeks to assess the correlation between the number of
recorded interracial marriages in communities X and Y on revenues
generated from tourism.”

12. ‘EDUHK’ Qualities of a Research
Proposal
Directive
• outlines implementation
• sets limitations and
parameters
• provides theoretical
grounding
“While more dynamism could be achieved if viewed from the
perspective of same-sex marriage, this research will be limited to
interracial marriages between biologically opposite sexes.”

13. ‘EDUHK’ Qualities of a Research
Proposal
Unique
• offers ‘new’ knowledge
• avoids duplication or
overlapping data
• builds on and expands
breadth of current literature
“Interracial marriages are commonly viewed from a sociological and
socio-cultural perspective. Instead of understanding them through the
same lenses, this study focuses more on their socio-economic
relevance— how the same draw in more tourists and impact on income
opportunities.”

14. ‘EDUHK’ Qualities of a Research
Proposal
Holistic
• covers all aspects of research
work
• clearly identifies value and
relevance
• aims for larger continuing
benefit
“The study argues that when people realize the tangible benefits of
cultural sensitivity from interracial marriages, they naturally build
inclusive communities.”

15. ‘EDUHK’ Qualities of a Research
Proposal
Keen
• projects credibility
• underline familiarity with
procedures
• reinforce passion and
commitment
“Mixed method will be used in undertaking this research. Both
qualitative and quantitative approaches will be utilized to determine the
extent to which interracial marriages reflect openness to policy reforms
and responsiveness to the needs of foreign clients or tourists, and their
implication on the overall reputation of the community for leisure and
business.”

16. Mind Break

17. Group Exercise https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=vzrjEP5MOT4

18. Getting Down to Business
2 of 2

19. Parts of a Research Proposal
Title Page
I. Rationale
II. Statement of the Problem
III. Scope and Limitation
IV. Significance of the Study
V. Operational Definition of Terms
VI. Literature Review
VII. Methodology
VIII. Timetable and Budget
XI. References

20. Parts of a Research Proposal
Title Page
Speed of Community Action Mobilization through
Social Media
Mark Raygan E. Garcia
Supervisor: Dr. Paul Adams
Department of Strategic Communication
24 October 2016
Title
Name of Student
Name of Supervisor
Department
Submission Date
Title should be brief; tells purpose of study; desired outcome

21. Parts of a Research Proposal
Rationale
A catchy summary of what the proposed research is about, why you are pursuing it,
what you want accomplished, and how you intend to pursue the project.
(Some would use “abstract” or “introduction”, instead of “rationale”.)

22. Parts of a Research Proposal
Rationale (Sample)
Social media has become a convenient internet street to where citizens
actively take their issues and concerns without need for physical presence.
With its reach across demographics and its access global, it quickly
provides that virtual intersection at which ever-expanding and -increasing
internet streets converge. And over a short period of time, social media
influences what unfolds on the ground. This research seeks to determine
the extent to which messages posted in social media are translated to
actual action on the ground, if standard conversion rates could be assigned
to call for actions circulated in social media to estimate the speed or time
period over which the they mobilize community action…

23. Parts of a Research Proposal
Statement of the Problem
Answers: (1) Why did you choose this research topic? (2) What is lacking in
current literature? (3) What specific questions do you want to answer in this
research? (4) What do you want to prove?

24. Parts of a Research Proposal
Statement of the Problem (Sample)
There are studies pointing to how fast information is relayed on the internet and the
rate at which it is passed on. But there is a dearth of comparative studies pointing to
a common “conversion period” or “conversion rate” (virtual-to-action) involving
significant world events. This research seeks to address that.
Research Questions
1. Is there a standard time to approximate how quickly a post in social media is
converted from something “virtual” to “actual”?
2. How fast can a post in social media spread?
3. What variables drive the propensity of people to make a post viral?

25. Parts of a Research Proposal
Scope and Limitation
Contextualizes the proposed research; discusses coverage, market
segment/respondents/demographics; what it includes and what is not part of the
research; what limitations it has in terms of access to respondents and data,
resources and time, etc.

26. Parts of a Research Proposal
Scope and Limitation (Sample)
This study seeks to do an analysis of major world events that transpired over the past
five years around the globe where social media played a significant role in its initiation,
spread, and realization. These are events that have mobilized community action
towards two things: (1) reforms in government, and (2) rehabilitation during natural
calamities…
It is not the objective of the project to compare which form of social media (i.e.
Facebook vs Twitter) facilitates a faster conversion period or rate, or to establish the
importance of internet speed… It will not also be within the scope of the study to
establish how posts can sustain public support or interest after mobilization is achieved.
Among possible constraints in the implementation of the study is face-to-face access to
individuals who played key roles in the major world events that would be included in the
study.

27. Parts of a Research Proposal
Significance of the Study
This highlights the relevance of the proposed research. Why is it important to do
this? To whom or which sector is this most significant? What can be gained from
this in terms of scholarly/academic benefit and/or practical solutions? What
“newness” does it offer?

28. Parts of a Research Proposal
Significance of the Study (Sample)
The study will be most significant to at least three sectors: civil society organizations
(CSOs), governments, and advocacy groups.
No doubt, social media has become a catalytic tool that makes or breaks
communities. This phenomenon significantly impacts on organizations that
successes and survival rates can now depend on social media utilization
(Kietzmann, Hermkens, McCarthy, et. al 2011). Governance and public affairs take
on a different level of discourse in social media with it attracting a broader
participation base. Advocacies and fundraising campaigns are better communicated
via social media where the pass-on rate is fast and public visibility high. And,
responses to calls for action in social media form an avalanche as it is pervasive
and cuts across cultures, ideologies and social status.

29. Parts of a Research Proposal
Operational Definition of Terms
What are the terms that are frequently used in this study? In what context are
they used? Operational definition of terms enable readers to have a similar
understanding of the usage of terms. This also eliminates the need to elaborate
on each term every time they pop up in the proposal.

30. Parts of a Research Proposal
Operational Definition of Terms (Sample)
Speed is a quantifiable description of movement of social media posts into a form of
community action. In this study, it is expressed in minutes, hours, days, weeks or
months.
Community Action / Social Mobilization is a collective term for large-scale public
activities conducted on the ground. In this study, community action or social
mobilization is a direct response to posts that call for it in social media.
Actual is the realization of the desired community action or social mobilization that
used to be circulated virtually.

31. Parts of a Research Proposal
Literature Review
This gives a picture of your leg work — how far you have gone to know more
about your proposed research topic based on current literature and prevailing
relevant theories. This is not mere articulation of what you have read; this is a
critical review or analysis of information/data/theories gathered vis-a-vis the
intent of your research.

32. Parts of a Research Proposal
Literature Review (Sample)
Democratized Journalism
Eugenia Sephera (2012) in the book Understanding New Media discusses how
Web 2.0, which includes social media, such as Facebook and Twitter,
democratizes politics and has become an alternative to mainstream media.
Journalism holds a political function which is to help shape public opinion and
make governments accountable for their actions (Habermas, 1996, cited in
Sephera, 2012). But there is a sense that journalism has failed to fulfill this
political function…
Social media has taken over this role. People, who now have control in social
media, are able to carry out the same political function of disseminating
information, influencing public opinion, and being watchdogs on key actors in
governance.

33. Parts of a Research Proposal
Methodology
This portion explains how yo are going to undertake your research; what
methods you are going to use, how you are going to use them, and why they are
your choice.
Qualitative vs quantitative? Mixed? FGDs, surveys, questionnaires?

34. Parts of a Research Proposal
Methodology (Sample)
Quantitative approach will be done through content analysis of
social media posts on identified major world events. It will extract
data from printed and online resources on significant dates,
timelines, number of people initiating action, estimates on number
of people taking action, number of shares, likes and tags in social
media (Facebook and Twitter), and geographical distribution and
number of people per geographic area involved in the social media
campaign.

35. Parts of a Research Proposal
Timetable and Budget
Efficiency is of equal importance in research implementation. Creating a
timetable based on availability of resources (personnel, time, funds) will assist
you in keeping track of your progress. The timetable contains the time period
with corresponding deliverables or actions
Budgets are usually developed separately in tabular form. In some instances,
they are consolidated into the time table where each deliverable is assigned a
cost equivalent or requirement.

36. Parts of a Research Proposal
Timetable (Sample)
www.tmrc.net.au

37. Parts of a Research Proposal
References
No research proposal or paper can stand without references. Attributions of
ideas to their respective owners is a must. Citations reinforce how research
expands the reservoir or knowledge, and how it builds on previous scholarly
works. You need to decide on your desired citation format and ensure you use
the same all throughout the proposal. Referencing should also be apparent
throughout the article, to ensure that proper acknowledgment is made for ideas
that support your arguments/research interests.

38. Parts of a Research Proposal
References (Sample)
References
Alstott, J., Madnick, S. & Velu, C. (2010). Measuring and predicting speed of social mobilization.
Retrieved from the Cornell University Library website:
http://arxiv.org/ftp/arxiv/papers/1303/1303.3805.pdf
Beckett, C. & Ball, J. (2012). WikiLeaks: News in the networked era. Cambridge, UK: Polity Press
Eaton, T. (2013). Internet activism and the Egyptian uprisings: Transforming online dissent into the
offline world. Westminster Papers in Communication and Culture, 9 (2), pages 3-24
Kietzmann, J., Hermkens, K., McCarthy, I, et. al (2011). Social media? Get serious! Understanding
the functional building blocks of social media. Retrieved from the University of Winnipeg website:
http://busandadmin.uwinnipeg.ca/silvestrepdfs/PDF06.pdf
Lievrouw, L. (2011). Alternate and activist new media: digital media and society series. Cambridge,
UK: Polity Press

39. Simple Reminders
• Use simpler fonts; be consistent
• Avoid jargons
• Observe proper grammar and
correct spelling
• Use ‘written language’ (“obtain” vs
“get”)
• Use simple sentences; the shorter,
the better
• Caption visuals/graphics
• Accept that everything is a learning
process

40. Mind Break

41. Lessons on life https://www.youtube.com/watc
h?v=nKleQ1MXMCs