Estimating Research Project Costs

It is not difficult to come up with a reasonable estimate of what a research project will cost. The following discussion of costs assumes that some of the basic necessities are already in place: adequate computing equipment, your own salary, a place to work and train your assistants. Here are other costs which are likely to be incurred associated with each step of the research project:

Steps in Research Project and Associated Cost

• Preliminary interviews, literature search (Travel, Phone, Protocol, Books and electronic data)
• Design of research plan, questionnaire (Travel, Phone, Postage)
• Recruitment of interviews (Materials, Travel costs to training center, Telephone)
• Training of interviews
• Data gathering (Materials, Travel, Telephone, Honoraria)
• Data entry (Include any special software/hardware needed,.Hourly wage)
• Analysis (Travel, Protocol)
• Reporting (Materials, Publishing)