for Research on Pro-Poor Growth and Poverty in …

1 Guidelines for PreparingConcept Notesand Proposalsfor Research onPro- poor Growth andPoverty in TanzaniaResearch on Poverty Alleviation, REPOA, is anindependent, non-profit organization concernedwith Poverty and related policy issues in undertakes and facilitates Research ,enables monitoring, and promotes capacitybuilding, dialogue and knowledge s Research agenda is concerned withpoverty and its alleviation. Our objectives are to:- develop the Research capacity in tanzania ;- enhance stakeholders knowledge of povertyissues and empower them to act;- contribute to policy dialogue;- support the monitoring of the implementation ofpoverty related policy.

2 -strengthen national and international povertyresearch networks, and forge linkages betweenresearch(ers) and is our conviction that Research provides themeans for the acquisition of knowledgenecessary for improving the quality of welfare inTanzania s Research Reports contain the result ofresearch financed by REPOA. Our Special Paperscontain the findings of commissioned studiesconducted under our programmers of Research ,training and capacity building. The authors of theseresearch reports and special papers are entitled touse their material in other publications.

3 Withacknowledgement to has published the results from this researchas part of our mandate to disseminate views expressed are those of the authors aloneand should not be attributed to on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA) Box 33223, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania157 Mgombani Street, Regent EstateTel: +255(0)(22) 270 00 83 / 277 2556 Fax: +255(0)(22) 277 57 38 Email: 9987 - 615 - 07 - 4 Special Paper ON POVERTYALLEVIATIONG uidelines for Preparing Concept Notesand Proposalsfor Research on Pro-Poor Growthand Poverty in TanzaniaSpecial Paper for: Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA) Box 33223, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania157 Mgombani Street, Regent EstateTel: +255(0)(22) 2700083 / 2772556 Fax: +255(0)(22) 2775738 Email: :Total Identity Citation: Research on Poverty Alleviation REPOA (2007).

4 Guidelines for Preparing Concept Notes and Proposalsfor Research on Pro-Poor Growth and Poverty in tanzania . Special Paper , Dar es Salaam, Keywords:Writing Research , Research proposals, concept notes REPOA, 2007 ISBN 9987-615-07-4 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any meanswithout the written permission of the copyright holder. Table of ContentsAcknowledgementspage ivI Introductionpage 12 Introduction to Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA)page 23 Research Grants from REPOA page 44 Guidelines for Preparing Concept Notespage 75 Guidelines for Preparing Research Proposalspage 106 Some General Hintspage 227 REPOA s Research Themespage 248 Bibliographypage 33 Publications by REPOA page 35 List of FiguresFigure 1: Framework for the concept note page 8 Figure 2.

5 Common major problems with proposals presented to REPOA page 11 Figure 3: Proposal rating instrument page 20iiiAcknowledgements This is the third in a series of guidelines prepared by REPOA in order to help researchersprepare improved proposals for Research . REPOA is now receiving more proposals forresearch each year than ever before, and whilst we are glad to see the rising number ofresearchers applying for grants, and Research projects being undertaken, our concern aboutthe quality of Research proposals remain.

6 We hope that these guidelines, as well as REPOA'straining in this area will 's mandate is to build the capacity of Research in tanzania and we want to helpresearchers improve their skills in writing proposals for Research . Over the years we haveobserved that there is a very strong link between the quality of a proposal and the ensuingresearch project. A well thought out proposal where the author expresses their self clearlyand logically should result in a well planned Research project and a report that is bothinformative and a pleasure to of REPOA stakeholders and staff have contributed to these revised guidelines, and wethank them for this.

7 In particular we would like to thank Brian Cooksey, who has been deeplyinvolved in all three guides, his contribution to this publication has been substantial. Specialthanks are also due to Idris Kikula and Martha Qorro, whose analysis of a sample ofproposals submitted to REPOA provided valuable input to the structure of this guide. ivIntroductionHow This Publication Can be Useful to YouThis booklet should help researchers to be successful in receiving a grant from REPOA toundertake a Research project. You will learn about the process for applying for a grant, andmost importantly, how to write a successful concept note and then a full proposal.

8 Even if you do not want to apply for a Research grant from REPOA, you should find theguidelines in this publication helpful if you want to improve your writing skills whenpreparing a concept note or a proposal. The LayoutThe first section of this book explains about REPOA - Chapter 2, and then moves on todescribe the process for applying for a Research grant - Chapter 3. Chapter 4 covers how toprepare a concept note, and this is followed by how to write a full researchproposal - Chapter 5.

9 Chapter 6 provides some general hints. In the second part of this publication, Chapter 7 explains REPOA s Research themes andgives some suggestions for Research topics. We hope that these guidelines are useful to you, however, should you like some moreinformation then please don't hesitate to contact REPOA - we are here to help youdevelop your Research skills. 11 Introduction to Research on Poverty Alleviation (REPOA)REPOA is a Tanzanian Research organisation which specialises in economic and socialresearch.

10 Research is central to economic Growth and the eradication of Poverty , as itestablishes an insightful base for making decisions and designing interventions. REPOA seeks to build the capacity of, and mobilise stakeholders to understand the importance ofresearch, and facilitate the use of information for policy dialogue and development. REPOA began operating in early 1995 as a non-profit non-governmental organisation, andis now one of the leading independent non-profit Research organisations in : Conducts and funds Research , and supports capacity building of researchers; Develops Research proposals and implements them, sometimes in partnership with localor international Research institutions; Involves communities in fact-finding Research which leads to action orientatedmeasures.