Methodological Guide - How to write a research protocol?

All research begins with a starting point and is driven by the question ‘why’. It is in order to identify the question that interests them that researchers will proceed through the various stages of research, which we outline below. 

Conceptual phase: establishing the scientific basis of the project

The conceptual phase establishes the scientific framework by defining the research problem and identifying the situation to be analysed, the challenges or gaps in the field, and the reasons justifying the study.

Furthermore, this stage enables the definition of hypotheses, specific objectives and key concepts, directly linked to the chosen research question.

Finally, this phase enables the identification of key variables and indicators to be measured, which strengthens the overall coherence of the protocol.

Methodological phase: data collection

Choice of methodological approach

In this phase, the aim is to identify the type of data best suited to the study and to select the appropriate research methods.

·       A quantitative approach relies on numerical data.

·       A qualitative approach, which relies on non-numerical data, seeks to understand perceptions, attitudes or experiences.

·       A mixed-methods approach combines both to provide a more comprehensive view.

Data collection methods and techniques

Data can be collected through:

·       interviews, to gather personal accounts and understand underlying motivations;

·       observation, to understand behaviour in different settings;

·       questionnaires, to obtain quantifiable and easily comparable data.

It is recommended that the data be organised into statistical tables.

Data collection methods and techniques

Quantitative data will be analysed using descriptive statistics based on figures and numbers. In order to test hypotheses, more in-depth analyses may be carried out (e.g. a questionnaire).

Qualitative data involves analysing the content and identifying the main meaning of the data. These techniques enable the information gathered to be organised and reliable interpretations to be drawn from it.

Techniques are the processes and methods used to carry out the work (e.g. participant or non-participant observation, questionnaires, surveys or interviews).

Scientific justification

The rationale for the research is to explain to the reader the benefits of addressing this problem. The question posed is: what would we do if we knew?

There are several reasons for conducting research:

-       to replicate the results of a significant study,

-       to advance knowledge in the field of research,

-       to test a theory,

-       to update the state of the art in a field of research.

Methodological choices are based on recognised, credible references capable of producing reliable and reproducible results. This justification reinforces the rigour and scientific quality of the protocol.

Data analysis methods and ethical framework 

Data analysis involves transforming raw information into actionable results. We must ask ourselves: what are we looking for? What do we want to demonstrate?

For quantitative data, measures such as percentages, averages or standard deviations will be used, and statistical tests can provide further insight into the analysis.

As for qualitative data, it is the research question that guides the choice of the appropriate method for both data collection and data processing. Should we carry out content analysis, thematic analysis or grounded theory analysis?

From an ethical standpoint, research is based on the free consent of participants, a guarantee of confidentiality, the anonymisation of data and the protection of all information collected. Any use must remain strictly scientific.

Feasibility analysis and research implementation plan

A feasibility study involves assessing whether a project is viable. A well-conducted study reduces the risk of failure by 50%. The feasibility study evaluates the available resources, the necessary approvals and the time required, access to the site, and the availability of the relevant stakeholders for data collection. This stage also enables potential obstacles to be anticipated and appropriate solutions to be planned.

Step 1: Define the project by clarifying the objectives, defining the needs and requirements, and identifying the stakeholders.

Step 2: analyse the internal and external environment and, finally, carry out a SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats).

Step 3: technical analysis by identifying human resources and technical constraints.

Step 4: financial analysis by estimating costs and forecasting potential benefits.

Step 5: legal and regulatory analysis. 

FAQ

What is a research protocol and what is its purpose?

This is a detailed plan for a study. It helps to organise the work.

Why is the design phase important?

It helps to clarify what we are investigating, why we are doing it, and how the study fits into the scientific framework.

What are the main data collection techniques?

The most common methods are questionnaires, interviews and observation.

Why is ethics important in a protocol?

It ensures the protection of participants by obtaining their consent and guaranteeing data confidentiality.

What is the purpose of the feasibility analysis and the implementation plan?

They enable us to assess whether the project is feasible and to clearly define the steps needed to achieve it.