Introduction
Research plans illustrate plans aimed at solving declared problems. They state the relevance of the challenges and the importance of addressing them. As such, the research plan contains the list of literature to be utilized, the methodology of the research, and the expected findings (Mitchell, 2007). The aim of coming up with a research plan is to aid researchers in gathering their thoughts and forecasting the expected research. Being an important document, a research plan shows the answers to a number of questions that would be posed by sponsors or supervisors in determining the validity of a research.
The role and importance of a sound research
Based on the above illustrations, it is apparent that the research plan is an important part of every envisaged research. The role of the research plan is to illustrate the problem to be investigated with is hypotheses and questions, introduce the findings of the previous research related to the topic, and demarcate the scope of the research (Oruc, 2012). Similarly, research plan describes the information needed to solve he identified the problem, shows how the data will be processed into information, and indicates the expected findings. A sound research plan should try to clarify the research efforts and the design to be followed. The plan should be precisely prepared. The above will ensure that the plan offers clear directives with respect to all research.
A sound research plan is made up of several components. The components range from the research problem to research findings. Researcher planners should always note that they are proposing their projects to interested parties. The parties may be sponsors or academic instructors. Therefore, researchers should keep in mind that a research plan is a basis of their intended projects. Another importance of the research plan is that it enables the researchers to save time. With strict timelines, research plan allows investigators to organize their task in time and allocate adequate time for analysis of the outcomes.
Why appropriate methodologies and analysis should be used
The research methodology is an organized and hypothetical examination of the approaches used in researches. It is made up of the hypothetical examination of the body of approaches and values related to a branch of knowledge (Oruc, 2012).
Usually, it covers models such as hypothesis, theoretical model, stages, and measurable or qualitative methods. As such, a research methodology does not offer solutions to the outlined problems. Appropriate methodology should be used because it sheds more light about how the techniques that will be utilized in the collection of data required in the research. Therefore, an appropriate methodology should highlight the dependent and independent variables, methods of measurements, methods of data collection, sampling methods, and research designs.
After the end of every research, an analysis is provided. Research analysis is used to review some information with the intention to support a certain assumption for a given condition. As supported by the above illustration, an appropriate research analysis is important because it aids in arranging the discoveries from dissimilar sources of data, coming up with micro-problems, filtering useful information from huge data set, and acts as a foundation for coming up with critical solutions (Thody, 2006).
Evaluate the personal and professional impacts of applied research
Unlike basic research, applied research focuses on varied topics in social sciences (Krueger & Casey, 2000). Applied research seeks to come up with solutions to social problems. To achieve its objectives, applied research utilizes the basic research findings. Through this, the research may help the society in addressing the common challenges. A number of personal impacts of applied research have been identified (Krueger & Casey, 2000).
A researcher who participates in applied research would be able to share his or her findings with the society. Through this, he or she becomes part of the solution to ending the social problems. The contributions offered by the researcher would be appreciated. Therefore, the researcher may be recognized through promotions or rewards.
With respect to professional impacts, the researcher will be able to come up with a solution that would be shared among the professionals. By doing so, other professionals may come up with ways to improve the original solution. By doing so, a comprehensive solution to a problem would be identified. Furthermore, applied research may encourage professionals to come up with solutions to other social problems.
Describe how your own research affects your personal and professional goals, using examples to support your decisions
In my career, I will be called upon to conduct a number of researches. The researches will affect my personal and professional goals in a number of ways. The effects may be negative or positive. As such, the investigations will enable me to gain additional knowledge about the major problems in my field of specialization. Through the investigations, I would be able to research on appropriate policing styles required to end the current escalating crimes in our society. Equally, through the study I will be able to identify the policing styles that infringes on the citizens’ rights protected in the US constitution. The findings from the above researches would enable me to dispense my duties in an effective manner.
With respect to my profession, the research would enable meet to seek donors to finance part of my project aimed at solving social problems such as the increasing crime rates. If my research comes up with applicable solutions, I would have attained one of my professional goals of ending the ever-increasing delinquency in our society. Similarly, the findings would attract recognition from my boss. With the boss’s support, I would be able to conduct further researches in the field. Through this, I would be able to advance my career.
Conclusion
In conclusion, it should be noted that the research plan comprises of literatures to be utilized, the methodology of the research, and the expected findings. The purpose of coming up with a research plan is to aid researchers in gathering their thoughts and forecasting the expected research. A comprehensive research plan should try to clarify the research efforts and the design to be followed.
Given that the research plan has strict timelines, it will enable investigators to organize their task in time and allocate adequate time for analysis of the outcomes. When coming up with a research plan, it is very essential for the scholar to develop appropriate research methodologies and findings. Suitable methodology should be used because it provides a researcher with the best ways to utilize in the collection of data. On the other hand, an appropriate research analysis will aid in arranging the discoveries from dissimilar sources of data and filtering useful information from a huge data set.
References
Krueger, R. A., & Casey, M. A. (2000). Focus groups: a practical guide for applied research (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, Calif.: Sage Publications.
Mitchell, J. (2007). Applied Qualitative Research. Journal of Applied Gerontology, 26(1), 3-5.
Oruc, A. Y. (2012). Handbook of scientific proposal writing. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Thody, A. (2006). Writing and presenting research. London: Sage Publications.