Can documentary be a project? By Prof Dr Sohail Ansari Thinking that documentary is a project is a false knowledge; it is the misuse of stupidity.

·        Beware of false knowledge; it is more dangerous than ignorance. George Bernard Shaw.

·        Stupidity is also a gift of God, but one mustn't misuse it.

Pope John Paul II

Q:     Can documentary be a project?

Ans: Definitely Not. Period

Documentary, however, can be a part of a project; but this part is optional. For example, a project titled Bhit Shah orientates itself to a question: why people hero-worship Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai? A researcher seeks its answer from books, journals, etc through the method of content analysis and then decides to know it from people visiting Bhit Shah. A researcher formulates questionnaire and visits Bhit Shah to ask people questions. Documentary of a visit can be made and included in a project. A researcher, however, if decides not to visit Bhit Shah so there will be no documentary as the part of a project.

A Statement of the obvious is not a research. A project titled Bhit Shah is to do any or all of the following:

·       Expand existing knowledge.

·       Address knowledge gap through connecting missing links.

·       Address ignorance paraded as knowledge by reframing underlying assumptions.

 ‘Format for a research project protocol’ guides how to frame a project.  

Format for a Research Project Protocol
Title:
Introduction and Background:
This should introduce the research area and provide the rationale for the significance of your
project. The protocol should include a background of research performed within this area
(with cites) and the significance of these. For example what is known, but what gaps are left.
If applicable include any preliminary studies, pilot work, or preparatory work you have
carried out specific to the area of the proposal. Include summary data about your practice
and or patient population that would lend to the significance of you carrying out this study in
your patient population.
Close the last paragraph with this study’s research goal.
Study Design and Methods:
1. Research hypothesis - Can be stated as hypothesis or research objective(s). What is
primary objective and are there any secondary outcomes?
2. Study design - randomized controlled trial, observational cohort, etc. May include
rationale or justification for selecting that design.
3. Describe the study population and add study inclusion and exclusion criteria. Where will
study participants be recruited/selected? May want to include justification that the
population described and your target number does exist in your clinic (feasibility).
4. Methods and Procedures for Data Collection.
a. What will happen to the subjects - described by number of study visits and project
procedures at each visit.
b. What are the outcomes/data that you are collecting and at which visits. Some of
these need to match the hypothesis/objectives and the outcome used for your sample
size estimate.
Analysis:
Describe your data analysis process. What statistical test you will use to test each research
objective that you listed? Perhaps you will only summarize the data and provide descriptive
statistics. How did you arrive at your sample size estimate? Describe your sample size
justification and your recruitment strategy to achieve this. Include the resources used to
estimate the sample, such as anticipated effect size.
Consider consulting the SOM DBHI dept. for the Research and Statistical Consult Service,
to assist in project design and data analysis - http://med.umkc.edu/dbhi/consultation/
Anticipated problems:
Discuss any anticipated problems you have considered and what contingency plans you have
for those problems. For example:
Risks to subjects – how you monitor for problems and how they will be managed?
Recruitment – what if you don’t enroll the # of subjects you need for power analysis?
Confidentiality:
Address how will you protect subject privacy and confidentiality with regard to study data
security and other possible concerns related to your study procedures?

Note:

This format is not automatically geared to every discipline; it is to be tailored; but that will not be more than trimming and lopping off. This format is fundamentally valid regardless of the discipline it is cut for.