Why research, and for what or whom? These are questions often raised when confronted with the task and the requested budget. When government research and development funds are involved, research is less appreciated if this does not translate to public benefits.
Remember the famous lines of Senator Cynthia Villar in 2019? Baliw na baliw kayo sa research! Aanhin ‘nyo ba ‘yung research? She was reacting to the huge budget allocated for research by the Department of Agriculture and its attached agencies for approval. Maybe it was misunderstood by many when she uttered those lines. Senator Villar made a point of making research relevant and exercising her position as a woman political leader.
Those familiar with research and its process know the two general types: basic and applied or research and development. The first is associated with academic requirements and the generation of new knowledge or theories. In contrast, the second is designed to solve practical problems that cause public troubles, such as climate change impacts, food security, water waste, plastic pollution, flood disasters, mental health, etc.
Who would support a research project without value or relevance at all?
The rationale and significance sections of a research proposal or article are critical to elucidating its value. Often confused with research aims, these two justify the pursuit of the project. Rationale refers to why the research problem is worthy of investigation, while significance refers to the potential uses of the findings. Distinctly, the former is the background, and the latter is the foreground of a particular study.
Let me demonstrate the importance of convincingly writing the rationale and the significance of pursuing a study. These sections are not just for nothing when required in a proposal or research article.
For example, the topic of the barriers to women’s political participation at all levels of government is timely as the midterm election is forthcoming. Why is there a need to investigate what these barriers are? What do studies and the actual status of women reveal because of these barriers? What are the gaps between expectations and realities that must be addressed?
These are good points for consideration in forwarding the rationale for doing the study. Perhaps the research gap is the limited focus on how women of different socioeconomic and academic backgrounds successfully overcome the barriers.
The contribution to community or nation-building of all women with great qualifications—not just because they come from political families—becomes a missed opportunity if they are prejudiced to be elected into public office as women. Thus, the rationale to highlight in the research proposal is both the barriers to women’s political participation and the factors contributing to the making of successful women in politics.
What are the uses of the research findings? Detailing the uses constitutes the significance of the research, which goes beyond publication and academic utilization. Government funding agencies like the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) have identified categories of research products as outputs and the people to benefit from these. Included also are patents, policies, and partnerships for maximizing research benefits.
In the case of women in politics, research findings may be significant in raising awareness and making policies to democratize political opportunities, building capacity in governance, and so on. Research proposals on women can perfectly access grants under the Gender and Development (GAD) Funds of the government. Non-government organizations focusing on women’s empowerment are also potential grant sources.
A worthy research proposal is needed to access grants based on its rationale and significance as written.
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