Research Synopsis -Meaning, 7 outline or structure and steps to writing Synopsis

Research Synopsis -Meaning, 7 outline or structure and steps to writing Synopsis

What is a research synopsis?

A research synopsis can be described or defined as the summary of research projects in its most basic form. This summary could include the proposed research’s objectives, methods and results.

The research topic or problem being addressed should be stated clearly and succinctly at the beginning of a research synopsis, along with explaining its significance or importance. Additionally, a research synopsis summarises the research design, its techniques, and why such techniques and procedures were used to conduct the proposed research.

Why is a research synopsis important?

Generally, a research synopsis is important because it is an effective tool for organizing, planning and conveying a research project. Similarly, it is also regarded as essential for several factors, the bulk of which includes;

• It serves as a tool for defining the clarity and purpose of research:

  A research synopsis is a succinct explanation of the proposed research’s objectives, aims and outcomes. This implies that a research synopsis provides a clear and concise overview of the study, helping to clarify and focus the research objectives and key results.

• It serves as a tool for the feasibility assessment of the research paper:

  In this context, the feasibility of a proposed plan can be depicted or described as the likelihood of success or practicability of a proposed research project or plan. The purpose of a research synopsis is to provide a clear and concise overview of the proposed research and, to ascertain whether or not such research is feasible in terms of resources, time and practicability.

• It serves as a source of communication between researchers:

  A research synopsis is typically used to communicate a project’s key findings and outcomes to other researchers, stakeholders, funding agencies, etc. Researchers frequently use research synopses for easy communication and understanding of a proposed research project or study.

• It serves as a tool for ensuring funding and support of a proposed research project or study:

  A research synopsis can be a powerful tool for ensuring funding and support of a proposed research project.

  This is so because, by presenting a clear and detailed structure of a proposed research project, researchers can demonstrate or depict the importance and significance of a proposed research project to other researchers or funding agencies, thus giving them a reason to invest in, collaborate or provide support for the proposed research study.

What is the structure of a research synopsis?

A research synopsis typically consists of the following elements or components;

• Introduction.
• Objectives.
• Methodology.
• Expected results.
• Outcome
• Conclusion.
• References.

Writing the Introductory part of a research synopsis.

Similar to the introductory section in all written pieces, the introductory part of a research synopsis is vital. This is so because it is centred on providing a summary of the research synopsis and is intended to grab and maintain the attention of the readers or audience. Thus, to create a proper introduction for a research synopsis, it is vital to take note of the following steps;

1. Identify the proposed research area or provide, in well-detailed sentences, the aims and objectives of the proposed research.
2. Provide an overview of what is currently known or the data that has currently been gathered on the proposed research area.
3. Provide an overview of the gaps in the current understanding of the proposed research.
4. Remember to remain as concise as possible. A research synopsis is the summary of the proposed research. This implies that all sections of the synopsis, including the introductory section of the research, ought to be well-detailed but concise or brief.

Writing the objectives of a research synopsis.

The core aim of the objectives section in a research synopsis is to provide a clear direction for the proposed research. In other words, as its name implies, it is centred on providing detailed sentences of the problems for which the research synopsis intends to answer or provide solutions. Thus, when writing this section of the research, it is vital to take note of the following steps;

1. State the purpose of the study in detailed terms.
2. Ensure that the researchers can objectively assess the objectives of the proposed research and its outcomes, readers and the intended audience.
3. Summarize or limit the number of objectives to about 4-5.
4. Align the objectives of the research to its aims as well as the hypotheses and methods provided in subsequent sections of the proposed research.

Writing the methodology of the research synopsis.

In its most basic form, a research methodology or synopsis can be depicted or described as the logical or scientific technique required to carry out a proposed research.

Examples of techniques which could be used in this context include surveys, questionnaires, statistical data collection and experimentation, etc. The methodology in a research synopsis ought to consist of the following sub-sections or subheadings;

1. Research Design:

   The research design in a methodology depicts the method or technique used to collect and analyze data for the proposed research. These procedures or methods could either be qualitative, quantitative or mixed.

   When curating the methodology in a research synopsis, it is vital to state the procedure or method used to collect data in the proposed research and why the proposed research method or procedure was chosen.

2. Sample size and type:

   This consists of the population’s people, participants or size, which will be used in the proposed research.

   When curating this particular section of the research, it is vital to provide a detailed description of the expected participants which will be used in the proposed research, the sampling method which will be used to collect data from the proposed population as well as the reasons why such types of participants will be used for the proposed research.

3. Data collection and analysis:

   Data collection, in this regard, basically involves the methods which the researcher will use to collect data for the proposed research. Additionally, data analysis, in this context, refers to the methods or procedures used to analyze the data collected by the research.

   Examples of such methods include; descriptive statistics, inferential statistics, etc. This could also include the software which could be used to manage and analyze the proposed data.

4. Ethical Consideration:

   Ethical consideration in research refers to the principles or guidelines governing the researcher’s research method with participants. Examples of ethical considerations that should be used in research include; informed consent, anonymity, etc.

   When writing the methodology in a research synopsis, it is vital to provide an overview of the ethical considerations used for the proposed research.

Writing the outcome and expected results in a research synopsis.

In this section of the research, the researcher ought to provide an overview of the outcome of the research which will be conducted as well as the expected results or impacts which will be associated with the proposed outcomes. When curating this section of the research, the researcher needs to take note of the following steps:

1. Restate the research objectives, aims, and hypotheses created to address these factors.
2. Provide a brief overview of the research findings uncovered in the methodology section.
3. In detailed terms, provide the outcome or impact associated with this proposed research findings.
4. Examine or identify the significance of the proposed research findings and outcomes.

Writing the conclusion in a research synopsis:

The conclusion in a research synopsis details an overview of the main points and sections discussed and identified during the research synopsis. Thus, when writing the conclusion of the research synopsis, it is vital to take note of the following key points;

1. Provide the briefest summary of the proposed subject matter’s main objectives, methods and expected results.
2. Provide a detailed overview of the implications of the proposed research.
3. State the implications’ significance and the proposed research’s main points.
4. Provide recommendations for further research of the proposed subject matter of the research.
5. Be as brief and concise as possible.
6. Do not include any new points or findings in the conclusion of the research synopsis.

Writing the References or reference list in a research synopsis:

This is a list of cited sources or scholarly works conducted during the proposed research. When creating the references or reference list in a research synopsis, it is vital to adhere to the proposed or stipulated referencing style and cite the correct sources to avoid all forms of plagiarism.