Academic Writing and Research Methodology in English

An Online Workshop-cum-Certificate Course

TEMPLATE OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

To Be Submitted Before
PhD Advisory Committee

Date of enrolment in the programme and expected date of completion

Descriptive Title of Your Research Project

Your name

Your Supervisor's name

Your Department
 CONTENTS

1. Introduction
2. Thesis Statement
3. Aims/ Purpose of the Research / Rationale of the Study
3. Background of the Research -- The Context
4. Literature Review
5. The Research Question / A Definition of the Research Problem
6. Methodology -- Outline of Methods of Data Collection and Analysis
7. Possible Outcomes
8. Tentative Work Schedule / Month-wise Distribution
9. Resources Required if any
10. Conclusion
11. Reference / Bibliography

Prepared by the Course Coordinator for AIFEST Workshop

The proposal should be written in Times New Roman Font size 12.
 RESEARCH PROPOSAL

This proposal was written by Marina Muenchenbach as part of her

Research Methods Module in the Masters course, Development
and Emergency Practice (DEP), at Oxford Brookes University.

Local Economy Development in Humanitarian

Assistance for Transition to Development in
Post-Conflict Environments

[Comment: Note how the title introduces the main concepts and
defines and limits the scope of the research.]

The aims of the research

This research aims to investigate possible concepts and tools that
add further knowledge to the question of how best Humanitarian
Assistance (HA) Programs during the transition phase from emer-
gency to development can prepare the ground for long-term and
sustainable Local Economy (LE) Development by forming partner-
ships with Local Markets and achieving Win-Win situations based
on common interest.
The research specifically addresses the context of conflict affected
environments.
[Comment: This section gives the briefest outline of the aims to
explain the focus of the research to the reader, and introduces
some of the distinctive issues that will be involved.]

Background to the research

The objectives of Humanitarian Assistance are ‘to save lives,
alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity during and in the
aftermath of man-made crises and natural disasters, as well as to
prevent and strengthen preparedness for the occurrence of such
situations’ (IPB, 2003).
The current system of Humanitarian Assistance is composed
of Donors, UN agencies, NGOs and the Red Cross and Red Cres-
cent Movement (ALNAP, 2010). In the last decades, Humanitarian
Assistance has made considerable progress in conscious building
regarding its impact on economies in conflict affected environments
and the need to prepare for a smooth transition to development.
In contrast to Humanitarian Assistance, Development Assist-
ance is economy-centred and is provided bilaterally and multilat-
erally by developed countries, International Financial Institutions
(including the Bretton Woods Institutions WB, IMF and WTO),
Foreign Direct Investment and the Private Sector.
[Comment: Here, the two main concepts are defined and
explained, with a quotation – note the citation – and references to
the literature.]
Humanitarian Assistance and Development currently appear ‘dis-
jointed’ with a sharp change in objectives from the humanitarian
to the development phase. By focusing on ‘humanitarian’ objec-
tives actors may forget that at one point the respective country
will strive for development based on economic efficiency criteria.
Assistance can thus run the risk to create prolonged dependency
or even hinder independent sustainable development.
[Comment: The main research problem that inspired this research
is revealed. This provides the reason and focus for the research.]
Coordination of Humanitarian Assistance was improved by the
creation of the UN cluster system in 2005. Within the system, the
Early Recovery Cluster was given the specific responsibility for pro-
motion of early steps that enable long-term development (UNDP
Country Team Pakistan, 2006).
[Comment: This problem has been tackled to some extent.]
Despite successful efforts on various levels, there is still a lack of
awareness of Humanitarian Assistance organizations regarding
their impact on local markets. Local purchase is usually not defined
as a specific objective in programme planning, which often results
in internal administrative and logistical procedures that are unfa-
vourable to purchasing or contracting locally. Local Economy actors
on the other hand usually do not have the contacts, knowledge or
management capacity to successfully advertise their services.
[Comment: However more needs to be done, particularly about a
forgotten issue – that of local markets.]
(Continued)
(Continued)
The research focuses on Local Economy Development in Northern
Uganda which after over 20 years of violent internal conflict is in
the transition to development.
[Comment: This locates the research in a particular area and situ-
ation, limiting its scope in order to make it possible to encompass
within a short research project.]

Literature review
Three major areas of current research shall be specifically outlined
as relevant to the dissertation.
[Comment: Breaking the review down into separate relevant areas
helps to give a structure to the review and to focus the literature
search to essential issues.]
The Donor Committee for Enterprise Development has made
important attempts in shaping the policy debate for Private Sec-
tor Development in post-conflict countries. Their review of cur-
rent literature and practice (DCED, 2008) states that ‘in addition,
donor countries are increasingly bringing together development,
diplomatic and defence efforts in order to achieve both security
and development goals. This not only promotes security for devel-
oping countries, but also for donor nations themselves’.
[Comment: Commenting on a previous, and no doubt, far more
extensive review of the literature, and introducing a short quotation,
mines into a wealth of information that can be used later in the
research.]
Making Markets Work for the Poor (M4P) is an approach to poverty
reduction that donors such as the Department for International
Development (DFID) and the Swiss Agency for Development and
Cooperation (SDC) have been supporting over the past few years.
The central idea is that the poor are dependent on market systems
for their livelihoods (DFID, 2008).
The growing use of Market Mapping and Analysis (Albu, 2010)
and Value Chain Analysis (USAID, 2008) is indicative for an evolving
acceptance within the Humanitarian Assistance system of the sig-
nificance of local markets and of local procurement and innovative
forms of market-system support.
[Comment: See how the literature is not just listed, but the ideas are
extracted to make a relevant point about the proposed research.]
The main current gap in knowledge concerns methods for practical
implementation of formulated policies. The intended research will
therefore focus on providing an open forum for concerned actors
(Humanitarian Assistance, Local Economy and Local Governments)
which allows for participatory brainstorming of possible concepts
and tools to achieve stipulated goals.
[Comment: Although very brief, this review has hinted at a gap in
knowledge that will be addressed by the proposed research. Space
permitting, this review of the literature could be much longer to
dig deeper into the state of the art of theory and practice in this
subject. However, a short proposal like this should concentrate on
the main sources – the more extended exploration of the literature
can come in the dissertation itself.]

Research problem
The importance of market integrated approaches in Humanitarian
Assistance programmes during the transition phase that prepare
the ground for long-term and sustainable Local Economy Develop-
ment (LED) – specifically in the context of conflict affected environ-
ments – starts being acknowledged by the Donor community and
concerned actors. However, up to date there is a lack of practical
concepts and tools that allow efficient implementation of policies.
[Comment: The problem stated in a nutshell. Note the use of the
main concepts and their relationships, and the identification of a
need for the research.]

Research Questions
1 What is the current impact of HA on economic sectors critical
to long-term development?
a What percentage of goods, services and labour do HA
organizations acquire locally, nationally and internationally?
b What percentage of goods, services and labour as delivered
by local economy is purchased, contracted or employed by
HA organizations?

(Continued)
(Continued)
2 Which sectors or markets offer win-win opportunities? Do some
more than others? Agriculture more than construction? Services
more than material?
3 How can ‘critical’ markets be stimulated to allow for greater
involvement of Local Economy?
4 Which body, structure, organization is best suited to promote
Local Economy Development at a given location? Is there an
existing one? Does a new one have to be created? If yes, what
should it look like?
5 Which concepts or tools can support LED and increase partnerships
(HA – LE)?
6 Is the use of market mapping and analysis applicable to LED?
7 Is the use of action research in partnerships applicable to
LED?
[Comment: Devising questions is a good way to break down the
main research problem into practically researchable units aimed
at finding the answers. The questions provide a sort of task list for
the project, hinting at the type of data that is required and how it
should be analysed to produce conclusions that answer the ques-
tions. Care should be taken to ensure that the questions are all
relevant to the main problem. Also ensure that they can practically
be answered within the scope of the project, as is the case here.
This section is about ‘what to do’.]

Methodology
The research will be carried out following participatory action research
principles and will be located in Kitgum, Northern Uganda. The
area was chosen as one of the major arenas of humanitarian
assistance. It is passing from transition to development and security
conditions are favourable.
[Comment: This section is about ‘how to do it’. A step-by-step approach
is a good way to organize the actual research activities, though you
may need to introduce times when reiteration takes place.]
The first step in the research will be the formation of a partnership-
type research group consisting of representatives of Humanitarian
Assistance, Local Economy, Local Government and Researchers.
 The Scandinavian model of Participatory Action Research applied
in the research is based on the concept of co-generating knowledge
between insiders and outsiders on a specific topic of interest (Eden
and Levin as cited in Reason and Bradbury, 1991).
[Comment: Some groundwork is usually required to enable the
research actions to take place, whether it is collecting material and
equipment, organizing people, or getting the requisite permissions.]
Subsequent steps in the research consist of:
v Data collection of the existing organizational situation from
records and interviews with experts, using flowcharts to record
the flow of funds, expertise and relationships and interactions
in the process of Participatory Action Research.
v Identification of 2 to 3 markets with potential growth potential
for LED by interviews with local businesses and market leaders.
v Mapping of identified markets using market mapping to chart
key infrastructure, inputs and market-support services; market
actors and their linkages in the market chain; and the institu-
tions, rules, norms and trends of the market environment.
v Analysis of collected data using data display and reduction
techniques for qualitative data to identify main themes and
trends, and descriptive statistics for quantitative data, all aimed
at answering the research questions.
v Formulation of Conclusions and Recommendations.
All steps should be carried out under supervision and with the
direct involvement of local actors and under supervision of the
research group.
[Comment: It is usually far easier to describe the data collection
process, as this is a familiar everyday activity, such as asking ques-
tions, reading publications and making observations. More diffi-
cult, and sometimes even glossed over in the first proposal drafts,
is the ways used to analyse the data collected. The analysis meth-
ods are less familiar and need to be learnt about, such as statistical
analysis, coding and mapping etc. This is where you will need to
consult research methods books to find out what the appropriate
analytical methods are for your research. The description here of
the analytical methods is rather brief.]

(Continued)
(Continued)
Potential outcomes and limitations to the research
Potential outcomes may consist of agreed recommendations –
if possible formulated as programme proposals – that can be
adopted by interested actors for future implementation.
[Comment: Although you will not know the answers yet to your
research questions, it is good to form an idea of the form of the
outcomes and how they might be used.]
The main limitation of the research relates to the scope of work
that can be covered within the dissertation period. The study will
take place only in one location. Preferably, the described process
should be implemented in all main districts of Northern Uganda
(Gulu, Amuru, Pader, and Karamoja).
[Comment: No research project can provide all the answers, so it is
good to be aware of the limitations of the project so as not to over-
state the case when in comes to the conclusions and recommenda-
tions. Any contribution to knowledge, however small, is welcome!]
During the initial sourcing donor organizations expressed poten-
tial interest in dissemination of results and recommendations
within their respective organizations and areas of work.
[Comment: A good point is made here. In order for the findings of
your research to be noticed and used, it has to be disseminated in
some way to those who will find it interesting or useful.]
The importance of the research – even if limited in scope and loca-
tion – lies in its practical approach involving existing real actors
and its potential to produce applicable concepts and tools that
have been developed and agreed by a wider forum.
[Comment: A good way to round off the proposal – stressing the
worthwhile nature of the research effort.]

Outline programme of the work

[Comment: An essential part of the research planning is the
programme that demonstrates that all the work can be completed
before the deadline. When you devise this, it will become clear
whether your ambitions match your resources!]
(Continued)
(Continued)
List of abbreviations
ALNAP Active Learning Network for Accountability and
Performance
BMZ Bundesministerium fuer Zusammenarbeit/Federal
Ministry for Cooperation
DCED Donor Committee for Enterprise Development
DEV Development
Economic Cooperation and Development
FIAS Foreign Investment Advisory Service
GTZ Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammen-
arbeit
HA Humanitarian Assistance
Humanitarian Action
LE Local Economy
LED Local Economy Development
LG Local Government
NGO Non Governmental Organizations
SDC Swiss Department for Cooperation
UN United Nations
UNDP United Nations Development Program
USAID United States Agency for International Development
[Comment: Not always necessary, but in this case this list is really
useful in a world filled with acronyms such as the field of interna-
tional aid and development.]

List of references
Albu, M. (2010) The Emergency Market Mapping and Analysis
Toolkit. London: Practical Action Publishing.
ALNAP (2010) The state of the humanitarian system: Assessing per-
formance and progress. London: Oversees Development Institute.
DCED (2008) Private Sector Development in post-conflict coun-
tries. A review of current literature and practice. UK: Cambridge.
Retrieved on 10 March 2010 from: www.enterprise-development.org
Del Costello, G. (2008) Rebuilding War-Torn States. The Challenge
of Post-Conflict Economic Reconstruction. Oxford: University
Press.
DFID (2008) The Operational Guide for the Making Markets Work
for the Poor (M4P) Approach. Bern: SDC Distribution Centre.
GTZ, FIAS (2008) Economic Development in conflict-affected
countries. (Practitioners’ Note.) Eschborn: W.B. Druckerei.
GTZ (2009) Sustainable Economic Development in Conflict-
Affected Environments. A Guidebook. Eschborn: W.B. Druckerei.
IPB (2003) Principles and Good Practice of Humanitarian Donorship.
Retrieved on 21 March from: http://www.ipb.org/disarmdevelop/
Reason, P. and Bradbury, H. (2001) Handbook of action research.
London: Sage Publications.
UNDP Country Team Pakistan (2006) South Asia Earthquake:
Transition from Relief to Development. Retrieved on 21 March
from: www.undp.org/
USAID (2008) Value Chain tools for market-integrated relief: Hai-
ti’s construction sector. Retrieved on 12 Feb 2010 from http://
www.microlinks.org/ev02.php?ID=23118_201&ID2=DO_TOPIC
[Comment: There are strict rules governing the details of how to
format lists of references, such as the Harvard System. Find out
which system you should comply with. Apart from correct format-
ting, the main requirements are the accuracy and completeness of
the information.]

AIFEST Workshop Sample Material-2020