How to Write a Winning Research Plan for the MEXT Scholarship

One of the biggest headaches among MEXT scholarship applicants centers around the research plan. Yet, the research plan/proposal is the most vital determinant for passing the MEXT scholarship. For this reason, applicants must note that the Embassy version of a research plan varies slightly from the usual and familiar university research proposals. 

How to Write a Winning Research

Plan for the MEXT Scholarship.

The Embassy usually prefers a short version of about 12 pages or so. However, the instructions may vary from one country to the other. It's difficult to compress a 30 and above pages thesis into just a few pages, leaving many potential applicants in a dilemma. 

I have received numerous requests about the research plan, and I needed to respond ASAP. This article will lessen your worries and helps you write a winning research proposal. To begin with, just like a standard research proposal, include a cover page with your name, nationality, address, email address, research title, and table of content.

What content should a research plan include?

While the content may vary depending on the program and the country, here is a list of elements you should always include in your research plan.

1. Background of the study

The background of a study typically contains information that provides context for the research. It can include a review of relevant literature, a description of the current state of knowledge in the field, a discussion of the research problem or hypothesis under investigation, and an explanation of the significance of the study. 

The background section is important because it helps to establish the context and rationale for the research, and it helps the reader understand why the analysis is critical and what questions it is trying to answer.

The background may take up to three or more pages since you must lay a good foundation for your study plan.

2. Problem Statement

A statement of a problem is a brief description of a problem or issue that a research project aims to address. To write a problem statement, follow these steps:

1. Clearly define the problem or issue you wish to study.
2. Explain why the problem is significant and worth researching.
3. Identify the specific population or group of people affected by the situation.
4. Provide a context for the position by describing the current knowledge or understanding of the issue.
5. State the specific research question or objective that the project aims to address.
6. Keep it concise, usually a single paragraph or a maximum of two sections.

Example: "The problem of teenage pregnancy in the XYZ community is a significant issue that current prevention programs have not adequately addressed. The high rate of teenage pregnancy in this community is a major concern as it is associated with numerous negative outcomes for teenagers and their children. This study aims to identify the factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in the XYZ community and develop a culturally appropriate intervention program to prevent it."

3. Research questions and objective

Research objectives itemize the specific goals or objectives of a research study. To write research objectives, follow these steps:

1. Identify the research question or problem you want to investigate.
2. Express the research question or problem as an objective statement using specific and measurable language.
3. Make sure the objective statement is clear and specific. It should indicate what you hope to achieve through the research and what detailed information you wish to gather.
4. Ensure the objectives are achievable and relevant to the research question or problem.
5. Limit the number of objectives to 3-5, as it will help to keep the focus of the research and make it more manageable.

Example: Research question: What are social media's effects on teenagers' mental health? Research objectives:

1. To examine the relationship between social media usage and mental health in teenagers.
2. To investigate the types of social media activities associated with positive and negative mental health outcomes in teenagers.
3. To identify protective factors that may mitigate social media's adverse effects on teenagers' mental health.

4. Literature review

The literature review summarizes the topic's existing research, including relevant theories, methods, and findings. The summary will help identify gaps in existing research and inform the study's design.

NB: Under normal circumstances, the literature review is the detailed part of the study. However, since the MEXT research plan is limited in terms of pages, summarize how you intend to conduct the literature review in two or three sentences.

For example, The researcher intends to identify the factors contributing to teenage pregnancy in the XYZ community. The study will utilize primary and secondary data sources as a basis for literature. 

5. Methodology and research design

A methodology describes the research design, data collection, and analysis methods used in the study.

 In a paragraph, summarize the research design you intend to employ in your study. Commonly we have either quantitative or qualitative. Specifically, write the research design you intend to use and briefly give a short definition or explanation.

6. Study participants

Briefly mention who are your study participants and give a short explanation of the sampling design you intend to use.

7. Data collection methods

In a sentence, explain the data collection methods you shall use to gather information from your participants. It could be questionnaires, interviews, etc.

8. Data analysis technique

In a paragraph, discuss how you intend to analyze data. Remember, the research design is a good pointer for your data analysis technique. Please keep it simple and straightforward to help the examiner understand your study. Examples of techniques such as descriptive and multivariate analysis, regression, content analysis, etc

9. Research Proposal feasibility study

A research feasibility plan outlines the practical and logistical considerations for conducting a research project. It determines whether a proposed research project is viable, feasible, and appropriate.

For some reason or other, I find this part repetitive since the feasibility study contains all the features I have discussed above. To avoid repetition, include the following elements in your feasibility study: 

• Aim of the study

Since you already mentioned the significance of the study in the background, you can briefly summarize it in two or three paragraphs.

• Research plan and method

Again this part is a repetition of the previous section that highlights the methodology and research design. One paragraph is enough to mention the design you intend to use in your study.

• Expected outcomes

This section requires an assessment of the potential outcomes of the research, including the benefits and risks.

• Budget plan

A budget plan contains a list of the resources (financial, personnel, equipment, etc.) required to conduct the research, including an estimation of costs.

NB: Appendices may be optional, considering the proposal's length. Be careful when attaching additional documents.

10. Reference

Please write all the references you cited in your paper. Counter-check the connection to avoid that awkward moment where a reference appears but doesn't appear in the intext referencing.

11. Work plan

Essentially, the work plan is a simple strategy of your research proposal explaining how you will spend two years for your master's and three years for P.h.D in your study.

For instance, for a master's student, you probably intend to submit the draft proposal in your first year, and the second year collects data and finalizes the project. A table is easy to summarize the work plan.

12. Appendices

Appendices are supplementary materials at the end of a research paper, report, or document. They typically contain information that is not essential to the document's main body but provides additional context or background information that may interest the reader. Some common types of materials included in appendices are:

1. Raw data: This may include data from surveys, experiments, or other types of research used to support the document's findings.
2. Additional analyses: This may include other data analyses, statistics, or calculations not included in the document's main body but provide further support for the conclusions.
3. Figures and tables: Additional figures or tables that provide additional information or data not included in the main body of the document
4. Original documents: This may include copies of original documents such as letters, reports, or other materials used in the research or relevant to the topic under discussion.
5. Supporting materials: This may include materials such as images, maps, or other types of visual aids that supplement the text and help to clarify or illustrate key points.
6. Questionnaires or interview scripts: If a research study uses a survey, questionnaire, or interview as a data collection method

Remembering standard writing guidelines is vital to your success in passing the first screening. Most countries use the APA writing style; however, that may vary. Ensure you also check for plagiarism if you borrowed works from other authors. Kindly check for any grammatical errors in your paper. More importantly, ensure the write-up is your original composition, as you will defend your proposal at the final interview.

I hope this article makes sense to potential MEXT applicants, and if it does, remember to drop a comment or a question. I will love to give a helping hand. I beg your pardon if I was not too specific and failed to address your area of study. It is an uphill task from my end as there are many fields of study, ranging from natural science to humanities. I wish you all the best!

In conclusion, kindly share this information with others to make their application smooth. Why make life difficult when Kei Makes it Simple?