Proposal of a research

Abstract: The word abstract comes from the Latin abstractum, which means a condensed form of a longer piece of writing. There are two main types of abstract: the (1) Descriptive and the (2) Informative abstract. The type of abstract you write depends on your discipline area.

 Abstracts are important parts of academic assignments, most often, reports and research papers. The abstract is the last item that you write, but the first thing people read when they want to have a quick overview of the whole paper. We suggest you leave writing the abstract to the end, because you will have a clearer picture of all your findings and conclusions.

(1) Descriptive abstracts

Descriptive abstracts are generally used for humanities and social science papers or psychology essays. This type of abstract is usually very short (50-100 words). Most descriptive abstracts have certain key parts in common. They are:

 Background of the study

 Purpose of the study

 Particular interest/focus of paper

 Overview of contents (not always included)

(2) Informative abstracts

Informative abstracts are generally used for science, engineering or psychology reports. You must get the essence of what your report is about, usually in about 200 words. Most informative abstracts also have key parts in common. Each of these parts might consist of 1-2 sentences. The parts include:

 Background

 Aim or purpose of research

 Method used

 Findings/results

 Conclusion

Decision makers in emergency management agencies must be able to access large volumes of highly current Geospatial information to effectively respond to disaster situations and ensure strong collaboration between agencies. Current photogrammetric solutions using manned aircraft for data acquisition and post-mission processing are Limited in their ability to meet these requirements. The use of Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) technology during acquisition, combined with state-of-the-art techniques for automated data processing and delivery, promise the Ability to meet the requirements of decision makers. This paper discusses a number of innovative components that form such a system: a modular image acquisition payload equipped with radio communications suitable for UAS missions, two strategies for accurate estimation of camera poses, a fully automated and real-time orthodox-mosaic production system, and a collaborative web-based interface to distribute map information. This system will radically advance emergency response capabilities and help to save human lives by providing information and intelligence to disaster managers in a safe, timely, and critical manner.

Problem description/statement:  Give a clear and concise description of the research problem, purpose, or question. The researcher should denote exactly what he or she intends to do and what he or she wants to achieve with the research. This description will later serve as the point of departure for the wording of the title of the research paper, dissertation or thesis, as well as provide the focus of the final discussion chapter.

Bangladesh is a riverine country. It is most vulnerable to many kinds of natural (like as Flood, Cyclone, Tornado etc.) and man-made disaster (like as Land slide). Most of the countrymen of Bangladesh are illiterate and they are not aware of such kinds of disaster, so it is important to aware of them.

Objectives:

 This section should describe what the investigator hopes to accomplish with the research. After reading this section, the reader should be clear about the questions to be asked, the kinds of answers expected, and the nature of the information to be provided by the proposed research. For example, one might propose to test a drug abuse treatment approach to determine the intervention characteristics that contribute differentially to the success of adolescent boys and girls who participate in the program. Expected outcomes might also include the provision of descriptive information not currently available. An example of this might be a comparison of arrest rates for participants in the years prior to and following participation in the program.

1.     To analyze various types of disaster.

2.     To analyze period of disaster.

3.     To analyze how people cope with the disaster.

4.     To analyze steps taken by the Govt. to reduce the destruction.

Review of the Literature:

 This section will review published research related to the purpose and objectives described above. It should be noted that references may be found throughout the proposal, but it is preferable for most of the literature review to be reported in this section.

A review of the literature should also relate to the hypotheses, definition and operationalization of variables, methodology and data analysis that follow. It should summarize the results of previous studies that have reported relationships among the variables included in the proposed research.

An important function of the literature review is to provide a theoretical explanation of the relationships among the variables of interest. It is most important that the review explain what mechanisms link the variables. The review can also provide descriptive information about related problems, intervention programs and target populations.

 The literature review must address three areas:

1. Topic or problem area: This part of the literature review covers material directly related to the problem being studied. There will usually be at least two substantive areas

Reviewed because most research involves variables that have been studied in separate substantive areas.

For example, a study on some aspect of juvenile antisocial behavior suggests a review of the literatures on anti-social behavior, adolescent development and families at risk. As another example, research on the differential impact on males and females of intervention characteristics in a substance abuse program would require a review of the literature on substance abuse programs, the specific intervention characteristics in question, and pertinent research on gender differences. As another example, research on conceptualizations of work inhigh stress settings would suggest a review of literature on the stress factors in such settings, the concept of stress and the development of job-related attitudes.

2. Theory area: Investigators must identify the social science theory which relates to the problem area. Examples of such theories might be sex-role theory, theories of deviance, organizational theory, small group theory, family systems theory, or conflict theory. The theory area provides the theoretical "lens" through which the writer chooses to view and understand the problem. It provides guidelines for explaining the etiology of problems and the linking mechanisms that connect variables.

3. Methodology: Investigators must review the literature which is appropriate to various aspects of their chosen method, including design, selection of subjects, and methods of data collection. This section describes research methods and measurement approaches used in previous investigations in the area. This content should be considered in designing the proposed research and used to support the choice of design and measurement techniques. Otherwise, the investigator must explain why s/he has chosen methods or approaches that have not been used previously.

After reading the literature review, the reader should understand the problem area you have selected and the theoretical models, findings, methodologies, and measurement techniques that have been used in previous, related research efforts.

The literature review should lead up to specific hypotheses, which are then listed at the end of the literature review.

Benefits of the Study: One of the key elements of a research study is that its potential benefits must outweigh any potential risks. This means that your child ideally experiences only positive outcomes and minimal, if any, negative effects. Researchers do their best to anticipate and identify potential risks of a study, however, some risks are unforeseeable.

Common types of risks associated with a depression study might be:

Medication side effects, ranging from mild to severe may occur. Antidepressant medications, which are often the focus of a depression study, might cause a variety of physical symptoms.

Any expected medication side effects will be discussed at the onset of the study.

Physical side effects should be reported to the research study team. This is important not only for your child's safety, but to establish safety in the study medication as well.

There may be the emergence of a variety of feelings ranging from sadness to guilt. This may occur in the context of psychotherapy, which is sometimes a focus of depression studies. Discussing any distressing emotions that develop during the course of the study with the research staff will be important in dealing productively with them. In some cases, it may be an indication of worsening depression symptoms.

Effects of procedures, like pain or swelling from injection sites (when applicable) are considered to be risks of study procedures. These types of side effects are usually well-known and researchers make every effort to minimize any negative effects. However, if any unusual or bothersome side effects occur, they be should discuss with the study team.

Potential Benefits

All research has different potential benefits. While research studies are designed for general knowledge, they often possess the potential to benefit individuals as well. Benefits from a depression study might be:

• to learn about causes of depression
• to establish risk factors for depression
• to learn about the course of depression
• to establish safe and effective depression treatments
• to decrease depression symptoms
• to increase personal and parental awareness about depression triggers

Some research has been done on parents and children's feelings on participation in research. One study of children and parent's attitudes about research participation found that 58% of children felt good about themselves as a result of participation, and 77% felt that they had helped someone by participating. Parents of participating children felt similarly positive.

Methodology:

Subjects: Subjects can be individuals, families, groups, organizations, states, or countries, depending on the unit of analysis. This section will describe how the sample in the study will be selected. For example, will volunteers be solicited? Will every subject who volunteers be included? If not, what criteria will be used to choose those to be included? Will there be a comparison group? How will the subjects in that group be chosen? In addition to describing how subjects will be chosen, this section should provide a rationale for the selection approach taken. This rationale usually includes external validity requirements (i.e., the conditions necessary to generalize the findings to a particular target population). After reading this section, the reader should have a clear understanding of how subjects will be selected for the proposed research and of why they will be selected in that particular manner. The reader should also have a clear idea of the characteristics of the intended subjects, including age, sex, ethnicity, education, SES, and other related variables.

Design: this section will describe the type of research design to be used. Will it be an idiographic, survey, quasi-experimental or experimental design? Will it be cross-sectional or longitudinal? Will it be a retrospective or a prospective design? The design should also describe the sequence of events that will occur in conducting the research. This would include how the subjects will be divided up, what the subjects are expected to experience during the research, and when and how often they will be observed or asked for information. After reading this section, the reader should have a clear understanding of the overall design of the study.

A description of how each variable will be measured should be included in this section. Ideally, one should measure each variable two different ways so that some estimate of measurement validity can be made. After reading this section, the reader will know the specific variables that will be included in the proposed study and, most important. How they will be measured.

Data Collection:

This section will operationalize the variables to be included in the proposed evaluation. It is helpful to divide the variables into dependent variables, independent variables, and covariates. Dependent variables are outcomes (e.g., drug abuse, self-esteem, depression) which are affected directly by other variables. They might also include variables which are affected indirectly (e.g., arrest rates,

Recidivism, employment record). Independent variables can include intervention approaches, program characteristics, and subject characteristics believed to affect the dependent variables. Covariates are additional independent variables included in the research solely for the purpose of controlling for differences that might exist among subjects. These differences are controlled statistically so that they will not confound conclusions that are drawn about relationships between independent variables and dependent variables.

Work Plan:

PHASE ONE: ECONOMIC PROBLEMS & TRANSPORTATION CHALLENGES
Phase One is comprised of Tasks 1 & 2:
Task 1: Initial Meeting and Administration
The project will commence with a meeting of the selected consultant team, representatives of MaineDOT, the Steering Committee and Management Committees, and the Study Management Consultant. The statement of study issues and opportunities and the Scope of Work for this study will be agreed and finalized.
During this initial meeting the work plan, schedule, and data collection process will be discussed. Data sources will be identified by Management Committee members. Private and public sector stakeholders will be recommended for subsequent interviewing. It is also expected that the consultant team will take over responsibility for maintaining and updating the project web site, and that process will also be clarified at that time.
Deliverable: Memo summarizing Task 1 outcomes on initial meeting outcomes and modifications (if any) to the scope of work .
Task 2. Documentation of Needs and Opportunities
The consultant team will assemble data to document and validate the severity of the economic development and transportation concerns and the extent of opportunities that were agreed to in Task 1. The product will be a database of current conditions, past trends, and future forecasts. These data will be used for the screening of different optional strategic directions in Task 3 and as a basis for the predictive analysis in Task 4. Of particular importance will be documentation of regional economic development concerns. The needs identified by stakeholders span the following categories:
Task 2-A: Economic Base. Historically, Atlantic Canada and the northerly regions of the Northeastern US have lagged behind more centrally-located regions with respect to growth of new industries and jobs. Although the more urbanized parts of the study area and those with good north-south access links are growing, more rural areas with poor transportation links have generally continued to decline. For decades, the region has been losing jobs in traditional resource-based industries, such as agriculture, fishing, lumber, and paper industries. There is a need to better understand the factors contributing to the region’s economic condition.
In connection with Task 2, the consultant will assemble multi-state and multi-province data on the study area’s economic base and conduct an analysis that profiles the region’s economy and documents the relative strengths and weaknesses in terms of competitive factors. Particular attention must be paid to the region’s traditional natural resource industries and to tourism, transportation, and energy-related sectors. New growth industries will be identified and their transportation needs will be evaluated.
Economic conditions in the study area will be evaluated relative to the rest of the Northeast and to other competing regions in North America and elsewhere as appropriate. This information will be used to identify the extent to which the region is -- or is not -- failing to get its “fair share” of new jobs and businesses. The factors that hinder economic development in the region will be identified. The consultant will evaluate opportunities for and constraints to economic growth. These will be used to assess how transportation improvements can support retention and expansion of existing industries and help to attract more businesses and investment into the region.
The multi-state and multi-province economic data assembled under Task 2 will be used for the subsequent development and screening of strategic options under Tasks 3 and 4. These data shall be provided in a format that the MaineDOT and members of the Steering Committee, Management Committee, and others can update to subsequently monitor economic conditions in the region.
Deliverable: Memo summarizing Task 2A findings on the region’s economic base.
Task 2B: Existing Transportation Market Analysis. Preliminary stakeholder interviews revealed that several transportation user groups feel that the existing transportation network does not provide adequate access to markets and other destinations. Businesses purport that insufficient customer and supplier access inhibits their competitive market positions. The consultant will identify the various market and travel segments served by the transportation system, and evaluate how well each is served by the existing transportation network.
Travel pattern data will be collected and analyzed to profile and characterize the nature of demand for east-west origin-destination corridors. Travel along north-south routes as connections for broader east-west movements will be evaluated. Travel patterns will be analyzed by market segment (e.g., tourists, business travelers, commercial vehicles, colleges and universities, major businesses, key economic sectors.). Some preliminary information has been compiled but it is anticipated that a survey of major industries and shippers in the region will be necessary to more systematically collect information on major east-west and north-south trade routes and connections, truck movements, the types of commodities carried, and industries affected. Travel pattern data will be needed for the subsequent analyses during Tasks 3 and 4.
Deliverable: Memo summarizing Task 2B findings on transportation access conditions.
Task 2C: Regional Cost-Competitiveness. The study area has a high quality, well-educated labor pool. But its high cost structure impedes its ability to attract and retain businesses. Transportation costs are a big contributor to the region’s high cost structure. Data will be assembled on the nature, importance, and impact of transportation costs on the region’s competitiveness for new jobs, businesses, and residents. Comparisons with other regions should be drawn. The cost-competitiveness analysis will also examine the extent to which congestion in the New Jersey to Connecticut region affects the cost of freight access for Northern New England and Atlantic Canada.
Deliverable: Memo summarizing Task 2C findings on cost-competitiveness.
Task 2D: Trade Opportunities. In addition to existing transportation markets, there may be latent demand for travel and trade between the Upper Great Lakes Region, the Northeastern United States, the Eastern Canadian Provinces, and locations throughout the world. The consultants will assemble a data base on applicable international trade flows by truck, rail, air, and by sea. A profile of trade into, out of, around, and through the region should be developed with information as available on origin, destination, value, and intermodal connections. Tourism, information technology, and education will be included in the scope of regional import and export activity. The potential of transportation improvements to facilitate access to national and international markets will be evaluated. Consultants will look for opportunities that may include:
Increasing international trade flows by opening up a new east-west trade route, linking the Atlantic Canada and Maine ports to the Northern Midwest and Ontario with a multi-modal transportation solution.
· Alleviating mounting traffic pressure on north-south trade corridors
· Promoting international tourism.
· Increasing trade between the Northeastern States and the neighboring provinces.
The consultant will assemble a data base and establish a framework for analysis of trade opportunities in the US and Canada. These data should cover current and prospective future international trade and tourism in the region. They should show how effectively the region competes with other areas of the United States for international trade in goods, services, and tourists.
The study will identify opportunities and constraints regarding future development of international trade in the region, including regulatory trade barriers. The international trade data base will be used for the subsequent analyses under Tasks 3 and 4, and should be provided in a format that MaineDOT and members of the Steering Committee, Management Committee and others can update to subsequently monitor international trade indicators.
Deliverable: Memo summarizing Task 2D findings on trade opportunities.
Task 2E: Modal Issues. The consultant will examine the extent to which different modes of transportation are applicable in addressing the needs and opportunities identified in Tasks 2B, 2C, and 2D. Analysis of the following modes will be conducted:
· Highways. There are six north-south interstate highways in the region, but on the US side of the border, there is no east-west interstate above I-90. The Trans- Canada Highway generally serves destinations north of the border providing indirect east-west access through Canada as it loops far to the north around Maine. Limited information exists regarding baseline travel conditions on major road segments in the region. During this task, the consultant will gather and update basic information regarding existing conditions on the region’s main east-west roads. Data collection will focus on relevant east-west routes and connections with north-south routes.
· Rail. State and local economic development agencies throughout the study area have been involved in efforts to retain and to revive underutilized rail lines. These efforts are intended to reduce freight costs and to supplement the lack of four-lane highway access through the region. Information will be collected on rail lines and their potential to support existing businesses, reduce transportation costs, facilitate east-west access, and to reduce traffic on surface roads.
· Air. With the relatively recent advent of discount airlines (e.g., Jet Blue, West Jet) in the region, the cost of air travel is decreasing. But the cost of air travel and the lack of direct flights within much of the study area are still considered to be a competitive disadvantage. Some areas are completely underserved by airports, while in other places; three competing airports might exist within the same 100 mile catchment area. Data will be gathered on the availability and cost of air service in the region. Analysis will be conducted of travel patterns and routes. Gaps in service and demand for more direct connections must be identified and addressed. Comments – As certain types of freight are, or can be, moved by air, air freight service should be considered. An assessment of ground access should also be considered as ground access may be an inhibiting factor to air service.
· Water. The region’s inland and sea ports and waterways are underused. The consultant will consider the potential for resolving road access problems by making better use of sea ports and inland waterways. Data will be gathered to allow for assessment of the potential for the development of inland distribution of cargos from ports by short sea shipping, making better use of the region’s sea and inland ports.
· Intermodal Links. Data will be collected on the existence and efficiency of intermodal facilities in the region. Specifics should be assembled regarding:
· the demand for intermodal connections
· the adequacy of the supply of existing facilities for efficient intermodal connections
· the potential to resolve east-west road access problems by removing traffic from surface roads with better intermodal links to rail, air, and water transport.
· Efficient Border Crossings. The cumbersome nature of border processing in the wake of 9/11 has created costly inefficiencies in trade between Canada and the US. This is contributing to the high costs of living and to the cost of doing business in the study area. Baseline data will be gathered for all major border crossing points regarding traffic flows, wait times, and the cost of delays. Potential for improvements of the Amtrak passenger rail border crossing on the line between Burlington and Montreal should be subject to particular scrutiny.
Deliverable: (1) Memo summarizing Task 2E findings on cross-modal issues.
Task 2F. Interim Report. Upon completion of Subtasks 2A-E, the Consultant Team will prepare an Interim Report and Presentation to the Steering Committee summarizing the findings of Phase One. The report and presentation will focus on explaining and assessing the case for addressing transportation and economic development needs, and include recommendations for Phase Two. The Interim report will also include the Task 2A-E memos as Appendices.
Deliverables: (1) Interim Report, (2) Steering Committee Presentation.
At the end of Phase 1, there will be a process of review and discussion with the Steering Committee. Work on Phase 2 will not commence until acceptance of Phase 1 Work Based on the findings of Phase One, the scope for Phase Two may also be refined by mutual agreement between MaineDOT and the Technical Consultant Team. .
PHASE TWO: TRANSPORTATION SOLUTIONS
Phase Two is comprised of Tasks 3 through 8:
Task 3. Strategic Directions
Task 3A: Integrating Transportation and the Economy. The consultant will use information gathered under Task 2 to analyze the relationship between the region’s economic performance and its transportation connections. In quantitative or qualitative terms, data will be used to establish the connection between economic performance and transportation infrastructure. The consultant may use models of transportation, economic growth, and international trade as appropriate to identify sensitivity of regional economies to changes in transportation conditions. This will provide a basis for developing more detailed and realistic directions for strategies in subtask 3B. Consultants will provide details on how they would approach this task.
Deliverable: Memo summarizing Task 3A findings on economic sensitivity to transportation conditions.
Task 3B. Identification of Alternative Strategic Directions. The overarching goal of the study is to identify opportunities to support economic growth of the region. This may include delineation and development of a new international trade corridor. It could involve coordinating a number of smaller scale improvement projects and connections among states and provinces into a seamless corridor designed to link the study area, both internally and to new external markets.
A number of optional strategic directions for achieving better access to east-west markets will be identified as part of this task. The objective will be to establish the feasibility of a new multi-modal east-west Trade Corridor with seamless intermodal and international connections.
The team will develop and evaluate different strategic directions for achieving economic development goals by resolving transportation problems. Attention will be focused on east-west access. The full range of transportation modes will be evaluated including air, road, rail and shipping by sea and on inland waterways. Strategic directions can consist of “bundles” of improvements like:
- Expansion and/or enhancement of the highway network
- Expansion and/or enhancement of the rail system
- Expansion and/or enhancement of intermodal facilities.
- Deployment of state-of-the-art technology to resolve congestion problems at borders and other choke points
- Standardization of freight regulations
- Promotion of underused inland waterway and Atlantic ports
- Reduction of costs of passenger and air freight service in the region
- Improvement of intra-regional connections
- Trans-shipping and small-scale, short-sea distribution of LNG and other products
- Exploration of opportunities for the growing Canadian energy sector to fuel economic growth in the region.
- Promotion of tourism throughout the region
Screening criteria for a “fatal flaws” analysis of strategic directions for access improvements must be developed. Solutions that do not address the needs of the region for better east-west access promoting international commerce will be eliminated. Likewise, those with adverse environmental consequences, those that would be cost-prohibitive, and those that will not create jobs can be screened out early in the process. “No build” and transportation management alternatives will be defined here and used later in Task 4 as the baseline for measuring impacts of potential strategic directions for transportation improvements.
Deliverable: Memo summarizing the findings of Task 3B on options for strategic directions.
Task 4. Predictive Analysis: Forecasting Economic and Transportation Impacts
In this task, the consultant team will apply economic and transportation forecasting tools to assess the impacts of the potential strategic directions for linking markets that were proposed under Task 3.
Task 4A: Economic Development Analysis. It is likely that the transportation improvements that will emanate from this study will be implemented because of their potential for promoting economic development. The project is about providing access to markets, not about abating traffic congestion. Improvements will be justified by their positive impacts in creating new jobs by promoting intra- and inter-regional and international trade and by increasing the region’s competitiveness for new jobs and residents, rather than on the grounds of traffic demand. Thus, the economic development analysis is viewed as the most critical piece of this study. The selection panel will look for leadership by economic development professionals to guide this task.
Estimates of the regional economic impacts of each of the optional strategic directions will be developed. These forecasts will be made for major business sectors in the region, as well as for types of industries that the region is trying to attract. The forecasts should be for 20 years (2005 - 2025). An assessment of the future of the regional economy with and without transportation improvements will be included. The base case (or no-build) scenario will address the potential for further decline of the regional economy in the absence of improvements to the transportation system.
Impacts of different strategic directions on facilitating international commerce by improving east-west connections through the study area will be evaluated. Measures of economic growth should be presented in terms easily understood by the public and should include such indicators as business costs savings, investment, new jobs created, existing jobs retained, wages, increased business output, and other economic contributions.
It is anticipated that the consultant will make use of economic tools to assess the impacts of possible strategic directions on the region’s economic growth. Changes in economic competitiveness and international trade should be forecast. These same models and tools should be used to conduct sensitivity analysis, to determine how economic growth impacts may differ depending on other factors. These include factors over which the region has some control (e.g., economic development programs or transportation investments) as well as factors beyond regional control (e.g., foreign exchange rates). Data and tools developed here will be made available to the client state and provincial partners for future use and updating.
Deliverable: Memo summarizing Task 4A findings on economic impact results.
Task 4B: Transportation Analysis. Coverage of the study region by existing transportation network models is uneven. Some data are available on border crossings and international traffic. The consultant will need to develop a coherent framework to analyze the multi-modal traffic impacts of potential east-west transportation solutions. While it is understood that this could be a major modeling effort (and information from the transportation analysis is needed for the economic evaluation) the consultant hould not devote a large portion of the project budget to traffic model development. Lower cost, creative solutions for east-west corridor traffic forecasting on the major corridors in the region are encouraged.
The consultant will need to identify east-west travel demand levels and supply deficiencies under different strategic options and regional growth scenarios. Since traffic choke points in the region are limited to highly localized sites, it is anticipated that few transportation investments will be justified based solely on traditional volume/capacity relationships. However, the consultant will need to identify specific locations where:
· safety is an issue
· border crossings are inefficient
· intermodal connections are needed
· traffic delays impede access and add to the region’s high cost structure.
The consultant will need to forecast impacts of major alternatives on future vehicle-miles of travel (VMT), vehicle-hours of travel (VHT), operating costs, and safety impacts. Data on each of the user groups identified during the course of the market analysis conducted under Task 2 must be analyzed separately. The extent to which alternative improvements will benefit each group shall be forecasted and documented. Issues related to the reliability of the alternatives shall be identified. All forecasts shall be done for a twenty year period (2005 – 2025).
The economic and transportation analyses shall be used to develop detailed screening criteria to further refine and shorten the list of viable transportation improvement alternatives. Screening criteria may include -- but should not be limited to -- such factors as economic growth measures, transportation efficiency measures, and order-of-magnitude cost measures. The criteria shall be used to prepare a shorter list of optional strategic directions for transportation investments. It is anticipated that the short list will identify specific corridors and generalized locations for improvement.
Considering the ambitious scope of the project, improvements will need to be phased over a number of years. Therefore, strategic directions for short, intermediate, and long term implementation of improvements projects should identified.
Deliverable: Memo summarizing Task 4B findings on transportation impact results..
Task 5. Preliminary Benefit/Cost Assessment
The consultant team will conduct a preliminary benefit/cost assessment of optional strategic directions for transportation investments. The analysis will be informed by data collected during Tasks 2 and 4 (Baseline and Predictive Analyses). Preliminary cost estimates will be needed to develop rough estimates of the magnitude of capital, operating, and maintenance costs for each alternative.
Net Benefit and Benefit/Cost estimates shall be calculated for each alternative, based on traditional measures of transportation system efficiency, adjusted to include economic development and community benefits. Sensitivity analysis using alternative regional growth scenarios shall be conducted. Cost effectiveness ratios that include easily-comprehended measures like the cost-per-job created and the cost-per-dollar of income generated shall be developed. Options for improvements that would produce few jobs and those that have prohibitive costs will be screened out at this point.
Deliverable: Memo summarizing Task 5 findings on preliminary benefit/cost outcomes.
Task 6. Project Financing
The consultant shall identify a range of options for alternative funding packages sharing project financing among the states and provinces within the study area. The full range of alternative sources of financing, including possible federal, national, state, and provincial funds as well as private sector sources must be considered. Potential financing strategies, including creative financing arrangements, shall be identified. Realistic phasing for financing projects should be projected. Alternatives will be further reduced and refined based on the likelihood of financing them.
Deliverable: Memo summarizing Task 6 findings on alternative project financing packages.
Task 7: Draft and Final Report
The consultant will prepare a draft final report . This document will be developed in consultation with the project’s Study Management Consultant, as cited on p. 3 of this document. Upon completion of the draft report, consultants will present their findings to a meeting of Management Committee. MaineDOT will assemble comments from the Management and Steering Committees, and present them to the study team to guide revision to the report. The final report will then be produced and submitted (along with electronic files).
Deliverables: Draft and Final Reports
Follow-On Phases of Work. After successful completion of the Phase Two Final Report, MaineDOT may decide to proceed with an additional phase of work to develop an Action Plan and supporting materials for follow-up to the report recommendations. This additional work, if it occurs, will be a separate contract not within the scope of this current RFP.

Data Analysis:

This section will explain how the data will be analyzed once they are collected. Usually, more than one analysis is conducted. Each analysis that will be used to meet each objective listed above should be described. Also a description of the specific effects to be examined in each analysis, such as main effects, interaction effects or simple main effects should be included.

The unit of analysis to be used should be specified and the reason for choosing that unit should be explained. After reading this section, the reader should know which effects will guide the data analysis and in exactly what way the data are to be analyzed to meet each objective of the proposed study.

Data analyses should be specifically linked to the hypotheses so that it is clear how each hypothesis will be tested.

Data can be collected by primary survey such as questionnaire survey, focus grouped discussion and field observation.

Qualification of the key persons:
Research has shown that a Key Person approach is the most effective way of ensuring that children develop a strong relationship with a significant adult in the nursery. The Key Person approach gives every child the reassurance to feel secure and cared for, helping them to become familiar with the nursery environment and to feel confident and safe within it.
We recognize every child's individuality, efforts and achievements and believe that relationships between adults and children are crucial for the child's happiness and security.
The Key Person meets the needs of each child in their care and responds sensitively to their feelings, ideas and behavior. The Key Person will offer security, reassurance and continuity, and they will usually be the one to feed, change and soothe your child. They are in the best position to understand your child's individual needs and to share information with you about your child’s experiences in nursery.
The Key Person will help each of their children to develop relationships with other members of staff and children. They will observe them in their play so that they can plan future opportunities and experiences that best meet their needs and interests.

Research Project Management:

Ensure your project is completed efficiently and on time.

Unlimited Projects:

Start, close or archive projects. Quadrant allows unlimited projects and users.

Track your process:

Using workflows makes it easy to know how your project is progressing and easily see you targets.  

Research is not straightforward:

Quadrant allows you to have multiple research workflows. Manage longintundal studies, mixed methods and comparative studies, all in the one tool.

Keep everyone on task:

Assign team members to tasks and workflows.

Gain insight:

Use reminders and expected time taken to identify project bottlenecks or hurdles.

Data management and integrity made easy:

Using workflows easily categorizes your data making data archives and management automatic and hassle free.

Budget of a research:

Lay it out as in the example given below.  Don't deny yourself things that you think are going to be important in field work.  Note that in this sample budget the stipend is not given.  It is assumed in this case that the stipend would come from another (Fellowship) source (although in other cases you will want to include your stipend in the budget).  Either the University or the foundation decides at what rate you are to be paid.  The University rates are usually higher for advanced graduate students.  Travel for spouse is worth requesting if you plan to stay for six months or longer. Although not always necessary, be prepared to justify any items included in your budget in terms of your proposed research strategy.  Foundations may want you to reconsider a request for two tape recorders instead of one unless you can convince them that two are absolutely necessary.  They will hesitate to approve funding for a mid-project flight to the coast for rest and recuperation.  They are in fact adept at ferreting out most varieties of budget padding.  So if you need something, stand ready to justify its inclusion in your budget.

SAMPLE BUDGET

A. Personnel

Dr. Glovendry Shah, Sponsor             $___

Mary Anthropologist, Fellow              ___

John Anthropologist, Assistant           ___

Cordion Aleji, Assistant                 4OO

Interpreter (Name not available)         25O             $65O.OO

b. Travel (2 persons, round trip)

     (a) Austin - Houston                15O

     (b) Houston - Guatemala City       145O

     (c) Travel in Guatemala             3OO            $19OO.OO

c. Equipment

     Camera                              25O

     Tape Recorder                       15O

     Anthropometric Kit                  18O

     Camping Gear                        34O             $93O.OO

d. Supplies

     Film and Tape                       245

     Paper, Notes, Cards                 125

     Medical                             1OO

     Trade Items (salt, matches, etc.)   25O             $72O.OO

    

e. Other Expenses

     Shipping Charges                    38O

     Gifts to informants                 45O

     Per diem in Guatemala City for           1O days at $24 per days        24O             $1O7O.OO

    

           TOTAL DIRECT COSTS                           $________

Limitation of Work:

Although this research was carefully prepared, I am still aware of its limitations and shortcomings.

First of all, the research was conducted in the two intermediate classes which have lasted for eight weeks. Eight weeks is not enough for the researcher to observe all of the students’ speaking performance in their classes. It would be better if it was done in a longer time.

Second, the population of the experimental group is small, only thirty-five students and might not represent the majority of the students of the intermediate level.

Third, since the questionnaire designed to measure the students’ attitude towards the use of communication strategies might give useful information about the impacts of communicative strategies; it seems not to provide enough evidence of the students’ actual behaving to communication skills in their speaking performance.

In addition, since the assessment of the pretest and post test was conducted by the author herself, it is unavoidable that in this study, certain degree of subjectivity can be found. In fact, it would have been sort of objective if it had been decided by two or three examiners.

Limitations in research methods vary depending on the type of method used and how it was conducted. They include language barriers; you might want to do a research on something that is in a language which you do not understand and the production of a translator is not available. You might also be short of the research materials and others are not immediately available among others.

One of the biggest limitations faced during the research process was that some of the resources consulted are a few months, or years old, and did not contain the most relevant, up-to-date information. We did, however, determine that one of the best ways to learn about our dimension and sub-category was to study previous case studies and organizations throughout time. Gaining a historical context for current organizational problems and procedures was a strength of our research. While we consulted a variety of literature, and also interviewed several experts to aid in our understanding of where the field currently is and where it is we want it to go, the main limitation facing us is that an EGS for the field of Organizational Communication has never been created before. Therefore, there are no established standards or defined processes. However, while this can be viewed as a limitation, this particular aspect of the project may also be its greatest strength. Because there has never been an EGS for the field of Organizational Communication, we have the freedom and ability to fully immerse ourselves in research and design, and ultimately, create a system to better the field without being confined to a preexisting format.

Appendix:

Research paper appendix is an important part of the article. It will consist of different sample information like the questionnaires, survey form, schedules etc. It will also consist of the bibliography and the index section. All these sections come at the end of the article but they all have important role in the total project. It is no different for custom research paper.
Questionnaires are very often used in the research paper help. This method of data collection is quite popular, particularly in case of big enquiries. It is being adopted by private individuals, research workers, private and public organizations and even by government. In this method a questionnaire is sent (usually by post) to the persons concerned with a request to answer the questions and return the questionnaire.
A questionnaire consists of a number of questions printed or typed in a definite order on a form or set of forms. The questionnaire is mailed to respondents who are expected to read and understand the questions and write down the reply in the space meant for the purpose in the questionnaire itself. The respondents have to answer the questions in their own. The general practice is to give all the questionnaires those you have used for the purpose of the research at the end of the paper.
Bibliography is another important part of the appendix. Here you have to mention the name of all the sources you have used to complete your research project. You can give the name of the author and the name and date of publication with the page no. You can also include some brief history about the work. In case if you have used different online sources for making the project then also you should mention the names of all these sources. You should be very careful about not to miss any name because that can create copy right problem and unnecessary embarrassment. APA style research paper is quite common.
At the end of the report, an index should invariably be given, the value of which lies in the fact that it acts as a good guide to the reader. Index may be prepared both as subject index and as author index. The former gives the names of the subject topics or concepts along with the number of pages on which they have appeared or discussed ion the report, whereas the latter gives the similar information regarding the names of the authors. The index should always be arranged alphabetically.
Some people prefer to prepare only one index common for names of authors, subjects or topics, concepts and the like ones. Apart for these sections some also prefer to give different charts or graphs, statistical tables those they have used for the computation in the main body of the paper. It helps the reader who doesn’t know the method of computation.
Research paper appendix comes at the end of the main paper and its main purpose is to help the reader to know the different sources (bibliography) researcher have used for making the research paper assignment. It also helps the reader to locate (index) any specific section in the main paper. Apart from these it also helps the reader to see different sample copies (like questionnaires, schedules, tables etc.) that are used in the main article.

Bibliography:

The bibliography should include full reference documentation for all articles and texts mentioned in the proposal. It is important that the investigator fully review relevant previous work in developing the proposal.