Developing a Research Plan

This article provides practical guidance for developing a research plan.

Outline:

  • Why develop a research plan?
  • Asking the right questions
  • Steps to develop a research plan

Why develop a research plan?
There are at least seven reasons why it is prudent to develop a research plan.

  1. A research plan defines the subject to be investigated and the necessary categories of information. These limiting criterion make the research project attainable and manageable.
  2. A research plan will include the methods and processes to be used in collecting the data
  3. Methods of analysis,which will meet the requirements of the output desired, must also be indicated.
  4. Verification criteria must also be established which will assure the adequacy of the information which has been obtained. Failure to accomplish this can result in misuse and waste of both human and monetary resource too great to contemplate.
  5. A research plan will also define the necessary resources for its accomplishment. This will include both human resources as well as monetary resources. It is obvious that this is an essential part of both the recruiting and budgeting processes.
  6. A research plan provides a basis for getting church participation. It provides knowledgeable communication to the church both in encouraging its participation in the research process as well as gaining acceptance in interviews and meetings for the purpose of gathering information.
  7. Finally, and not least, the research plan is essential in gaining acceptance by the field team itself and its necessary participation in the research process. The task of field research is primarily that of the field researcher, but his task cannot be accomplished without the cooperation and participation by other members of the team.

Asking the Right Questions
Gathering information is a natural part of beginning any enterprise. People usually do not have to be told to gather information when they know they do not have enough. The real questions are:

  • Are we asking the right question?
  • Have we defined the question enough to be able to do an objective study?
  • Are we asking the question in a way that minimizes bias?
  • Do we have enough resources to do a significant study?

Steps to Developing a Research Plan

  1. Brainstorm with others on what questions ought to be asked and answered.
  2. From this list, choose those which are possible to do and which have priority.
  3. Define all technical terms related to this research project (e.g. What is a church? What is an unreached people group?).
  4. Determine the criteria you will use for answering the question.
  5. Estimate the cost in pelf, man-hours, and equipment it will take to finish the project.
  6. Establish and raise your research budget.
  7. Design the database and survey forms you will use to gather and organize data.
  8. Field test the data gathering system. The data gathering system involves a) the survey form and b) the procedures used to collect data. At this point, you are more interested in making sure you are getting the right information than you are in gathering the information itself.
  9. Revise the data gathering system as needed.
  10. Gather the data and organize it.
  11. Analyze the data using your predetermined criteria.
  12. Create a presentation which will clearly and accurately communicate the conclusions your data justifies.

Remember:

  • The people who will need this presentation are not sophisticated researchers. They are organization heads, project managers, field missionaries, Pastors, Christian workers.
  • KISS. Keep it short and simple.
  • Throughout the whole process, talk, talk, talk, talk, talk with other researchers. Their insights will help to eliminate bias and insure that information gathered will actually answer your question. Researchers get into the most trouble when they operate in isolation.

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