TIPS MENULIS CADANGAN PROJEK PENYELIDIKAN

 PROF DR MOHD SHAHWAHID HAJI OTHMAN  [INSTITUTE OF TROPICL FORESTRY AND FOREST PRODUCTS]

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
 As academicians we know this From  1.0 Title  2.0 Introduction/Background to the Issues/Problem/Types of proposal: internal or external (who ask and who is to do the research)  3.0 Problem Statement  Research Question  4.0 Research Objective  Justification & Importance/Benefits of Study

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
 5.0 Literature Review on:  Similar issues, problems and solutions  Methods used by others; strengths & weakness of each ending with possible suggestions of the best technique  6.0 Research Design  What kind of studies e.g. descriptive, causal etc  Theoretical and Empirical Model Adopted  Hypotheses  Sampling design: census or sampling. If sampling, what techniques e.g simple random, systematic

RESEARCH PROPOSAL
           

7.0 Data Sources/Collection: Survey, secondary data Measurement Scale of variables 8.0 Analysis of Data Data Preparation and description Statistical techniques selection e.g. frequency, factor analysis Analysis and hypotheses testing 9.0 Expected Results 10.0 Report presentations 11.0 Budget 12.0 Schedule 13.0 Personnel Vitae Bibliography

 14.0

Project Title

Guidelines

The title should be concise, clearly indicating the subject of the investigation and reflecting the key idea(s) of the project. Project Objectives This section describes the measurable objectives of the project and defines the expected results. Research Background The research background should cover the following elements: o The major issues and problems to be addressed by the research. o Research necessity and importance.

o Variables and parameters of the research. o Hypothesis or theory, if any. o Setting the limits or boundaries of the proposed research in order to provide a clear focus. The literature review should be addressed in this section to meet the requirements below: o The application must be novel (should not "reinvent the wheel"). o Demonstrates knowledge of the research problem. o Demonstrates understanding of the theoretical and research issues related to the research question. o Critically analyse, integrate and synthesise the relevant literature information.

Guidelines

Socio-economic objectives (SEO)

Guidelines

The socio-economic objectives (SEO) represent the purpose or sectoral beneficiaries for which R&D activities are conducted. The SEO classification allows a systematic analysis of R&D funding at three different levels under the SEO Divisions. There are 5 SEO Divisions, namely Defence, Economic Development, Society, Environment and Advancement of Knowledge. The appropriate divisions will determine the SEO Classification that best describes the beneficiary group of the project from the Malaysian Research and Development Classification, 4th Edition or the latest edition.

Guidelines

To classify the research project, please use the following definitions: o SEO Category The SEO Category describes the sector of the national economy for which it will be the main beneficiary of the R&D being practised. o SEO Group A sub-division under the SEO Category, which groups socioeconomic activities that have common characteristics. o SEO Area A sub-division under the SEO Group, which represents a specific area of research.

Guidelines Fields of Research (FOR) The fields of research (FOR) represent R&D activities classified according to their scientific and academic disciplines.

Please choose the FOR classification which most appropriately describes the scientific discipline being practised. Please select the FOR from the Malaysian Research and Development Classification, 4th Edition according to the following: o FOR Category A sub-division of scientific or academic disciplines.

o FOR Group A sub-division under the FOR Category.

Guidelines

o FOR Area A specific discipline within an FOR Group which describes a science or a technology area.

Research Approach o Research Methodology

Guidelines

The research methodology demonstrates how the applicant plans to tackle the research problem. It should have details of the analytical techniques, research design and description of research activities. Specialised equipment, facilities and infrastructure, whether new or existing, required for the project should also be identified at this stage. The applicant should compare the methodology with alternative methods and justify that the approach chosen is the most appropriate.

o Project Activities

Guidelines

It will provide the work plan and the list of the activities necessary for the project, including those associated with the transfer of the research results to customers / beneficiaries. It should also outline the sequence of the proposed activities and identify them in numbered stages, steps or phases. The research activities as well as the timing and duration will be reflected in the Gantt chart.

o Milestone** A milestone is achieved when a significant phase in the project is reached, for example completion of testing, commissioning of equipment, etc. There must be at least 2 milestones per calendar year. The first milestone at the start of the project is optional while the last milestone denotes the end / completion of the project. The timings of the milestones will be reflected in the Gantt chart. o Risk of the Project Describe the factors that may cause delays or prevent implementation of the project as proposed. Give an estimate on the degree of risk.

Guidelines

Benefits Of The Project

Guidelines

o Output Expected The output expected varies amongst the different types of research. For strategic basic research projects, use the following list of outputs: Hypotheses Theories Algorithm Structure Data IPR

Guidelines

For applied research (technology development) projects, use the following list of outputs: Method / technique Demonstrator / prototype New / improved product / device New / improved process New / improved software New / improved material New / improved service IPR

o Human Capital Development The indicators are as follows: Post doctorate Doctorate Master Bachelor Research staff with new specialisation

Guidelines

o Economic Contribution

Guidelines

The indicators are as follows: Sales of manufactured product / device / equipment Royalties from licensing Revenue from consultancies Cost savings Time savings Others o Infrastructural contribution The indicators are as follows: New equipment New / improved facility New information networks Others

Research Collaboration

Guidelines

The collaboration is in the form of sharing of expertise and research facilities, marketing opportunities and other related research resources. Details on the role of key collaborators should be provided. Such commitment should be substantiated by documentation proof such as memorandum of agreement, letter of consent or any other form of agreement. For the project team, state all the collaborators involved based on their roles and time allocated. The man month of the project team will be automatically calculated based on the staff cost estimation worksheet.

APPLICATION PROCESS FLOW

RECEIPT OF APPLICATION DOCUMENTS Deadline 26 May 2006 Administrative compliance Eligibility check Technical aspects Financial assessment Competency and conceptual assessment Deadline 16 June 2006 INSTITUTIONAL SCREENING: TECHNICAL AND FINANCIAL

SUBMISSION OF ENDORSED PROPOSAL TO MOSTI

MOSTI evaluation and approval ACCEPTANCE AND SIGNING OF CONTRACT

Payment Reports Audit

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

  Does the applicant have the professional qualifications and team members (if applicable) necessary for satisfactory performance of the proposed activity?  Is there any funding sources to supplement the fund provided by ScienceFund?  Adequate literature review?  Does Research Methodology reflect project activities?  Complete research activities and milestones in Gantt chart?  Total project cost tally with detailed cost breakdown?  Correct addition of project cost?  Justification of purchase of equipment?  Incomplete information in form?  Viability of research objectives?  Commercialisation potential?  Is the applicant currently heading any research project? If yes, please state source and number  Is the applicant employed on a contract basis? If yes, please indicate date of expiry of contract.

INSTITUTIONAL SCREENING CHECKLIST Does the proposed project fall under Research Priority Area?

 Project duration is max. 24 months

Notes to ScienceFund applications

 For V21000 (Travel and Transportation), max. allocation is 15% of total budget. Project leader and collaborator is allowed to travel overseas once during project duration  For V11000 (Temporary and Contract Personnel), a project is allowed a max. of 3 contract personnel  For V35000 (Special Equipment and Accessories), a project is allowed to procure a maximum of 40% of total cost of project or RM100,000 whichever is lower.

 No limitation on number of project a researcher can apply for. (Max duration per project is 24 months)  Sea to Space includes Agriculture, Oceanography National Oceanography Directorate, Medicine, Healthcare and Management, Forestry, Food, Mathematics, Pure Sciences, Conservation Biology, Astronomy, Social Sciences, Management, Economics, etc and covers anything not covered in listed priority areas  Previous track record in research (IRPA RMK7 & 8) taken into consideration by MOSTI panel.  Institution screening panel is advised to give proper recommendation to MOSTI during institutional screening.

 Young researchers advised to have Senior Researchers/ Professors as collaborators to strengthen project team. This will ensure satisfactory progress of project  Senior Researchers / Professors required as project or program leaders. Research team to include Young / Junior Researchers.  Institutional Screening Panel will act as auditors/ project monitors. This is a requirement of MOSTI.  Monthly accounting by Bendahari to MOSTI.  Quarterly report on activity by researchers to MOSTI.  Project monitoring every 6 (six) months

 Inferred from V21000 (Travel & Transportation) and V35000 (Equipment and Accessories), max. total of ScienceFund applicable is RM 250,000 per project.  Reasonable figure is max. RM 250,000 per project  Major research output: Publications in journals HRD Capacity building including infrastructure and networking Economic contribution

Research products (if achieved), should apply for TechnoFund

Samples of Technical and Financial questions asked during proposed project evaluation
 Financial and operational capacity Do the applicant and partners have sufficient experience of project management? Do the applicant and partners have sufficient management capacity? (including staff, equipment, ability to handle the budget for the action)  Relevance How relevant is the proposal to the objectives and one or more of the priority areas? How relevant is the proposal to the needs and constraints of the targets?  Methodology Are the activities proposed appropriate, practical, and consistent with the objectives and expected results? Does the proposal contain objectively verifiable indicators for the outcome of the action?

 Sustainability Is the action likely to have an impact on the target area/group? Is the proposal likely to have a multiplier effects? (including transfer of technology and extension of the outcome)  Budget and Cost-effectiveness Is the ratio between the estimated costs and the expected results satisfactory? Is the proposed expenditure necessary for the implementation of the project?