Skills in Research Problem Analysis & Sources of Grants
Prof. Madukwe Michal. C Department of agricultural Extension
University of Nigeriaand
Dr. Majaliwa J.G.MMakerere University, Uganda
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Researchable issues can be found:
•• National/Regional /international prioritiesNational/Regional /international priorities
•• Development partner guidelinesDevelopment partner guidelines//prioritiespriorities
•• Other (Call for proposals, Program briefs)Other (Call for proposals, Program briefs)
•• Institutional prioritiesInstitutional priorities
•• Problem/constraint/objective tree analysisProblem/constraint/objective tree analysis
•• Research reports including grey literatureResearch reports including grey literature
•• Stakeholder consultationsStakeholder consultations
•• Press concernsPress concerns
•• Personal observationsPersonal observations
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Criteria for selecting a research topic:
• Relevance
• Avoidance of duplication
• Urgency of data needed (timeliness)
• Political acceptability of study • Political acceptability of study
• Feasibility of study
• Applicability of results
• Ethical acceptability
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Criteria for selecting a research
topic Cont’d
Relevance
• The topic you choose should be a priority
problem.
• Questions to be asked include:
• How large or widespread is the problem?
• Who is affected?
• How severe is the problem?
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Criteria for selecting a research
topic Cont’d
Avoidance of duplication
• Find out whether the suggested topic has been investigated
before, either within the proposed study area or in anotherbefore, either within the proposed study area or in another
area with similar conditions.
• If the topic has been researched, the results should be
reviewed to explore whether major questions that deserve
further investigation remain unanswered.
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Criteria for selecting a research
topic Cont’d
Urgency of data needed (timeliness)
• How urgently are the results needed for
making a decision or developing interventions
at various levels (from community to policy)?at various levels (from community to policy)?
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Criteria for selecting a research
topic Cont’d
• Political acceptability
• In general it is advisable to research a topic that has the
interest and support of the local/national authorities. This will
increase the chance that the results of the study will be
implemented. Under certain circumstances, however, you implemented. Under certain circumstances, however, you
may feel that a study is required to show that the
government’s policy needs adjustment. If so, you should make
an extra effort to involve the policy-makers concerned at an
early stage, in order to limit the chances for confrontation
later.
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Criteria for selecting a research
topic Cont’dFeasibility• Look at the project you are proposing and consider the
complexity of the problem and the resources you will require carrying out your study. Thought should be given first to manpower, time, equipment and money that are locally manpower, time, equipment and money that are locally available.
• In situations where the local resources necessary to carry out the project are not sufficient, you might consider resources available at the national level; for example, in research units, research councils or local universities. Finally, explore the possibility of obtaining technical and financial assistance from external sources.
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Criteria for selecting a research topic Cont’d
Applicability of possible results /recommendations
• Is it likely that the recommendations from the study will be
applied?
• This will depend not only on the management capability within the
team and the blessing of the authorities but also on the availability
of resources for implementing the recommendations.
• Likewise, the opinion of the potential clients and of responsible
staff will influence the implementation of recommendations.
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Criteria for selecting a research
topic Cont’d
Ethical acceptability• Consider the possibility that you may inflict harm on others while carrying
out research. Therefore, review the study you are proposing and consider
important ethical issues such as:
– How acceptable is the research to those who will be studied? (Cultural sensitivity must
be given careful consideration). Is the problem shared by target group and health be given careful consideration). Is the problem shared by target group and health
staff/researchers?
– Can informed consent be obtained from the research subjects?
– Will the condition of the subjects be taken into account? For example, if individuals are
identified during the study who require treatment, will this treatment be given? What if
such treatment interferes with your study results?
– Will the results be shared with those who are being studied? Will the results be helpful
in improving the lives or health of those studied?
Problem Analysis: Problem Tree
• Pictorially presents:
– The problem (the stem).
– Causes of the problem (roots).
– Consequences (branches).– Consequences (branches).
• The technique helps a researcher to examine,
understand and appreciate what s(he)
identified as a problem.
• Also known as Goal Oriented Programme
Planning (GOPP) Approach
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GOPP can be applied..
• to define realistic and definite objectives which contribute to the overall goal
• to establish improved communication and cooperation between partners by means of joint planning and clear documentation
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• to generate a consensus of different opinions
• to clarify the scope of responsibility of project partners
• to provide indicators as a basis for monitoring and evaluation
Main steps of GOPP
• Steps of Analysis-Phase:• Participants Analysis
• Probleme Analysis
• Objectives Analysis
• Alternatives (Strategy) Analysis, Scoping
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• Alternatives (Strategy) Analysis, Scoping
• Steps of Design-Phase (Logical Framework of a project)
• Inputs, Activities, Outputs -> Objectives
• Important Assumptions (external factors)
• Objectively Verifiable Indicators
• Means of Verification
Participation Analysis
• Gives an overview of all partners connected with the
project
• Incorporates the interests and expectations of partners
significant to the project
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How to do it:
• Write down all persons (partners) involved
• Categorize them (provider, user, intermediary..)
• Characterize and analyse (SWOT)
• Produce table „consortium overview“
Problem Analysis :Developing the
Problem Tree• Write the identified problem on the stem of
the tree.
• Draw lines/boxes down (roots), each to indicate as many of the agreed causes of the indicate as many of the agreed causes of the problem.
• Draw lines/boxes up (branches) each to indicate the agreed consequences.
• Concentrate on existing problems not on those foreseen or anticipated.
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Problem Analysis: the Problem
Tree
• Be specific in describing or phrasing the
problem.
–Word problems as negative
conditionsconditions
–One problem per card
–A problem is not the absence of a
solution, but an existing negative
state
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Problem Analysis: Developing the
Problem Tree
• Do not say “Water or Lack of water” say “high
cost of sourcing water” or “delays in sourcing
drinking water” or “drudgery in water drinking water” or “drudgery in water
collection”.
• Do not say “lack of schools” say “long distance
to school” or “high level of illiteracy”.
Problem Analysis: the Problem Tree
• Do not join two causes or consequences in a
sentence/phrase.
• Each cause or consequence should be in a
separate sentence/phraseseparate sentence/phrase
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A Typical Problem TreeA Typical Problem Tree
Problem Analysis: Low Soil fertility
EFFECTS
Increase in
soil erosionLow
Yield of crop.
Deforestation
(Clear more land)
Reduced
profit
Increased
hunger
Adverse
climatic
effect
Increase
pest &
diseases
1919
CAUSES
CORE PROBLEM
Continuous
cropping
Removal
Of crop
residue
Inadequate Soil
conservation
Inadequate
Use of FYM
Low soil fertility
Low level of
Fertilizer
Application
Inadequate
knowledgeInadequate
labour
ROOT
CAUSES
Passenger hurt or killed
Increased loss of confidence in bus
transport
People increasingly delayed to reach work place
Increased frequency of bus
accidents
Poor drivingBad vehicle conditions
Bad road conditions
Core problem
Effects
Problem Analysis: Bus Example
Vehicle too old
Poor maintenanceCauses
Solution /Objective Tree
• Restate all negative conditions of the problem tree
into positive conditions that are desirable and
achievable
• For each of the lines/boxes indicating a CAUSE of the
problem let the users identify and replace with a
MEANS of removing the cause.
• For each of the lines/boxes indicating an EFFECT
Identify and replace with an END.
• This will bring out aspects of the problem that need
investigation and external assistance such as skill and
funding.21
Core
Direct
Ends
Increase in
farm incomeIncrease
In soil productivity
Increase
In soil fertility
Increase yield of crop
A Typical A Typical Solution Solution Tree.Tree.Reduced
poverty
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Core
Objective
Direct
MeansUse of
cop rotationIncrease
use of FYMPlowing back
of crop residue
Provide knowledge
and labour for
soil conservationAdequate level of
fertilizer application
Sustainable high soil fertility
Objectives analysis: bus example
less passengers hurt passengers arrive at scheduled time
Customers have a better image of the bus company
EndsEnds
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drivers drive carefully and responsibly
old vehicles are regularly replaced vehicles regularly maintained and checked
vehicles kept in good conditions road conditions improved
Frequency of bus accidents considerably reduced
MeansMeans
Steps how to do scoping:
• Identify objectives you do not want to pursue (not
desireable or achievable)
• Identify differing „means – ends“ ladders, as possible
alternative strategies
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• Assess which alternative represents an optimum
(criteria: resources, probability, risks, cost-benefit,
sustainability, feasibility..)
Project Planning Matrix (PPM)
.. provides a two-page summary:• WHY a project is carried out
• WHAT the project is expected to achieve
• HOW the project is going to achieve these results
• WHICH external factors are crucial for the success of
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• WHICH external factors are crucial for the success of
the project
• HOW we can assess the success of the project
• WHERE we will find the data required to assess the success of the
project
• WHAT the project will cost
Logical Framework of a project
• Inputs: Means and resources required to
carry out the activities
• Workplan: Activities to be carried out in the framework of work packages
• Results: Outcome of work packages so that
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• Results: Outcome of work packages so that the objectives of the project can be
attained
• Objective: Positive impact upon the beneficiaries
• Overall Goal: Community Policy to which the project should contribute
Project Planning Matrix (PPM)
Overall strategic Goal, impacts on
society
Objectively verifiable Indicators
Means of verification
Assumptions
(external factors)
Objectives OVI MOVAssumptions
(external factors))
Results, Assumptions
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Results, deliverables, milestones
OVI MOVAssumptions
(external factors)
Activities, workpackage description
Partners, consortium overview
Assumptions
(external factors)
Inputs (manpower barchart)
Task
• Each group should
1. Identify a core researchable issue you would like to
address
2. Carry out a problem tree analysis
3. Develop an objective tree
4. Presentation of results
Sources of research grants
• Characteristics of research grant sources
include:
– Some have existed for many or few years and
focus on the same issuesfocus on the same issues
– Some have existed for many or few years and
keep changing their focus and interest
– Some exists for a specified period of time
– Some target specific regions
Sources of research grants
• There is need to constantly search and track existing and
emerging sources particularly through the internet
• Some of the sources include:
– Scholarship of Compendium
– African Compendium– African Compendium
– DULINK Guidelines
– Agricultural Model inter-comparison and improvement
project (AgMIP)
