Qaiwan International University

Apr 30, 2025 research

Research Idea to Scientific Data generation in Lab

Dr. Omji Porwal

Director of academic research

Professor, Faculty of Pharmacy

What is a Research Idea?

A research idea is the very first step — a creative thought or concept that identifies a new problem to solve, a question to answer, or a gap in existing knowledge.

Key Characteristics of a Good Research Idea:

Originality: It should add something new or offer a new perspective.
Relevance: It should be important to the scientific community, society, or industry.
Interest: It should be something you are passionate about.
Clarity: It should be clear and focused, not too broad.

How to Generate a Research Idea:

Review recent journal articles and research papers.
Attend academic seminars, workshops, or conferences.
Identify gaps or unanswered questions in your field.
Discuss with peers, mentors, and professionals.
Reflect on practical problems observed in real-world settings.

2. Research Proposal

What is a Research Proposal?

A research proposal is a structured and detailed plan that explains what you want to study, why it is important, and how you plan to do it.

It serves as a blueprint for the research and is often needed for approvals, funding, or academic projects.

Main Components of a Research Proposal:

Section	Purpose
Title	Clear and concise statement of the research topic
Introduction / Background	Provides context, explains the problem, and reviews related research
Problem Statement	Defines the specific issue the research will address
Research Questions/Objectives	Outlines what the research aims to achieve
Hypotheses (if applicable)	States the expected outcomes
Methodology	Explains how the research will be conducted (design, methods, tools, sample size, data analysis)
Timeline	A schedule of key activities and milestones
Budget	(if needed) A forecast of costs and resources required
Expected Outcomes	Describes the possible results and their importance
References	Cites the sources reviewed

3. Feasibility in the Laboratory

What is Lab Feasibility?

Before starting the actual research, it’s critical to check whether the idea is practically achievable in your available lab facilities.

Key Points to Assess Feasibility:

Resources:
Do you have the necessary equipment, instruments, and reagents?
Technical Skills:
Do you or your team have the required technical expertise?
Time:
Is the project timeline realistic for the type of experiments planned?
Cost:
Are the required materials affordable or fundable?
Ethical Approval:
Does your research need ethical clearance (e.g., animal, human studies)?
Safety:
Are there any hazardous materials or risks involved that require special measures?

If any gaps are found:

Modify the research design.
Seek collaborations with other labs.
Apply for additional funding or resources.
Scale down the project to a manageable size.

In Summary we can say 3 below point:

Step	Key Focus
Research Idea	Finding a novel, important, and clear research question
Research Proposal	Structuring your plan and gaining approvals/support
Lab Feasibility	Ensuring the project can realistically be done with available resources