This document provides guidance on writing journal articles, research proposals, and responding to requests for proposals (RFPs). It discusses identifying the right audience and journal for publication. It also outlines the key components and structure for proposals, including an executive summary, statement of problem, objectives, management and cost plans. Tips are provided for an effective proposal, including specifying the scope, establishing credentials, and highlighting benefits for the customer. The goal is to publish interesting, innovative work and convince readers or funders to take action.

1. Writing Journal Articles and
Proposals – A Primer
Writing Journal Articles and
Proposals – A Primer

2. Why publish?Why publish?
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3. How to get your article publishedHow to get your article published
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Think about WHY you want to publish your work.
Is it new and interesting?
Is it a current hot topic?
Have you provided solutions to some difficult problems?
Are you ready to publish at this point?
If all answers are “yes”, then start preparations for your manuscript

4. Identify the right audienceIdentify the right audience
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Identify the audience
Verify their interest in the topic
Determine the range of interest – local versus international
Select the right journal for publication

5. Common problemsCommon problems
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Submission of papers which are clearly out of scope
Failure to format the paper according to the Guide for Authors
Inappropriate (or no) suggested reviewers
Inadequate response to reviewers
Inadequate standard of English
Resubmission of rejected manuscripts without revision

6. What makes a good manuscriptWhat makes a good manuscript
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Contains a clear, useful, and exciting message.
Flows in a logical manner that the reader can follow.
Is formatted to best showcase the material.
Is written in a style that transmits the message clearly.

7. Words..are all that I have..Words..are all that I have..
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qThis is NOT a creative writing process.
qJournal space is precious.
qBe concise.
qIf clarity can be achieved in n words, never use n+1.

8. The general structureThe general structure
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9. Title - What’s in a name?Title - What’s in a name?
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10. AbstractAbstract
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11. IntroductionIntroduction
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12. Pitfalls of the introductionPitfalls of the introduction
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13. Methods SelectionMethods Selection
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14. ResultsResults
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15. ResultsResults
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16. DiscussionDiscussion
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17. More pitfalls to be aware ofMore pitfalls to be aware of
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18. ConclusionsConclusions
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19. AcknowledgementsAcknowledgements
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20. ReferencesReferences
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21. Cover letter – Direct Talk!Cover letter – Direct Talk!
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22. Suggest potential reviewersSuggest potential reviewers
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23. Workflow of Reserach
Publication
Workflow of Reserach
Publication
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24. Writing ProposalsWriting Proposals

25. OBJECTIVEOBJECTIVE
æTo buy a service
æTo convince the reader of the existence of a situation and to take a course
of action
æTo convince your department of your need for a new technology
æTo provide you with funds (loan/grant)

26. TYPES OF PROPOSALSTYPES OF PROPOSALS
æInternal and External-according to the target audience
æSolicited and unsolicited-according to the source
æBusiness Proposal, Research Proposal, Technical Proposal- according to
contents and objectives of the proposal

27. Internal ProposalInternal Proposal
Written to someone within your organization ex:
The chairman of a company asks the personnel manager to develop a
training program for the new recruits
æNo need to include qualifications/bulky information
æCan be submitted in the form of manuscript/memo.
æContent of an internal memo comprises of the problem, suggested solution,
the financial effect and how the suggested plan is better than the existing
one

28. External ProposalExternal Proposal
æWritten from one separate, independent organization or individual to
another such identity .
æRecipients could be existing or prospective clients
ex:
An independent consultant can propose to do a project for another firm / An
advertising agency may propose to design a scheme for a nationwide ad
campaign for a bank

29. Differences between Internal and
External Proposals
Differences between Internal and
External Proposals
Internal External
æAre the basis on which
decisions are taken within
the organization
æAre the basis on which
contracts could be drawn up
æAre not competing with other
proposals
æNot a legal binding
æAre prepared for recipients
outside the organization
æMay often compete for
business
æIf accepted, external
proposal become legal
binding

30. Solicited ProposalSolicited Proposal
æResponse to some invitation by other companies
æCompanies invite proposals from goods/service providers to compete for
the business. Such invitations are called Request for Proposals (RFP)
æRFP contains details about the project, its nature, specifications, a time
frame and an approximate cost
æRFPs are sent to various reputed companies and are also published in
newspapers and magazines
æAs a response to such invitations, business proposals are made

31. Unsolicited ProposalUnsolicited Proposal
æ Generally promotional in nature
æ When you initiate a proposal yourself
æ Generally persuasive in nature and claim to solve an existing problem in a company
æ Form of detailed advertisement/brochure that introduces the company to
prospective customers showing variety of services it could provide , range of
expertise it possesses and possibly earlier clientele
æ Can be internal/external
æ Ex: you perceive that some changes in the hiring policies of your company could
improve morale and performance of company’s employers-unsolicited internal
æ Ex: a govt agency is attempting to improve working conditions and advertises the
availability of funds for rectifying common problems. The agency invites any
qualified person to submit a grant proposal using agency’s guidelines.-external
solicited document

32. æBusiness Proposal-If a proposal deals with any aspect of business ,
commerce or industry
æResearch Proposal-If it is concerned with a project requiring
scientific enquiry or systematic investigation
æTechnical Proposal-When the objective of proposal is to modify or
create something requiring technical knowledge and skills.
Classification According to Contents and
Objectives of the Proposal

33. CHARACTERISTICSCHARACTERISTICS
AIDA
æAttention-is caught towards what is being proposed
æInterest-is created by pointing out how the plan would be executed
æDesire- to accept by highlighting the benefits or advantages that would
accrue
æAction-An impulse for action is induced by persuasive reasoning

34. STRUCTURE (structure of solicited proposal is determined by the person or
organization inviting it. In Unsolicited proposal there is choice in respect of
elements to be included and in their sequencing. )
STRUCTURE (structure of solicited proposal is determined by the person or
organization inviting it. In Unsolicited proposal there is choice in respect of
elements to be included and in their sequencing. )
1.Title Page
æ Cover of the proposal
æ Contains-title, name & designation of proposer, name of the
organization to which he belongs to, month & yr of submission
2.Table of Contents-given only when the proposal is long running into
15 or more pages

35. STRUCTURE (contd..)STRUCTURE (contd..)
3. Executive summary-
æ Summary of entire proposal
ü Problem
ü Solution (what will take place/how many people will benefit/where it will operate/for
how long/who will staff it)
ü Funding requirements
ü Organization & its expertise
4. Statement of the Problem-
æ Enables the reader to learn more about the issues
æ Presents the facts and evidence that support the need for the project
æ Establishes that your organization understands the problem and can reasonably
address them

36. STRUCTURE (contd..)STRUCTURE (contd..)
5. Objectives-
æTo what extent your proposal is going to solve the problem or effect the
change should be clearly specified
æMay be listed in terms of long term and short term goals

37. STRUCTURE (contd..)STRUCTURE (contd..)
6. Technical Plan-
æDescribe In technical terms how the proposal would solve the problem
æDiscuss theoretical principles / analytical or experimental methods to be
followed
æEquipment/instruments/materials needed and how you are going to utilize
them to execute the proposed project.
æIn case of production of a new instrument, component or part of a machine,
highlight technical/operational advantages that would accrue from it.

38. STRUCTURE (contd..)STRUCTURE (contd..)
7. Management Plan
æDescribes how you will accomplish the proposed task
æIndicates plan of action (division of work/time required for completion),
facilities required/personnel who will execute the project
æPlan of action should specify how work will be divided, who will be
responsible for each division and time required
æProvide a brief description of qualifications , achievements and experience
of personnel involved in execution

39. STRUCTURE (contd..)STRUCTURE (contd..)
8. Cost Estimate-
æ Kingpin in the proposal
æ Solicited-cost data required would be already indicated, only supply information
æ Unsolicited-show all the items of anticipated expenditure
æ Estimate should be realistic & complete
æ Include the amount required for the following items-materials/equipment/computer
time/lab testing/salaries of personnel /travel/office/contingencies/infrastructural facilities
(land, building, water, electricity..)
æ 9. Conclusion (optional)-state briefly the significance of the project and highlight
once again the benefits

40. Proposal Layout & DesignProposal Layout & Design
æTimes Roman
æ10-12 point type
æUse of color whenever possible
æUse of graphics

41. Simple Proposal FormulaSimple Proposal Formula
æWho (will do the work/is responsible or to be contacted)
æWhat (needs to be done or delivered/cost)
æWhere (will the work be done/will it be delivered)
æHow (will it be managed/long will it take/will the work benefit the customer)
æWhen (will you start/will the project be complete/is payment due)
æWhy (should the customer selected the proposal)

42. Tips for Effective ProposalTips for Effective Proposal
æSpecify the scope clearly.
æBe realistic in your estimate of time, money and personnel required.
æEstablish your credentials for accomplishing the task.
æHighlight the benefits that would accrue to the customer.
æKeep the proposal short and precise.
æUse plain language.
æEnsure that the presentation and layout are neat and attractive.

43. RFP response - SampleRFP response - Sample
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44. Tools!Tools!
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