Research Proposal Basics

What is a Research Proposal?

• A research proposal is a document that provides a detailed description of the intended research program.
• It outlines the entire research process, giving a reader a summary of the information discussed in a project.
• The objective of writing a proposal is to describe what you will do, why it should be done, how you will do it, and what you expect to result.

Essential Parts of a Research Proposal

• Title
• Abstract
• Introduction and background of research
• Statement of the problem
• Critical review of literature or theoretical framework
• Research problems and hypotheses (or research questions)
• Aims and objectives
• Methodology and procedure of the study
• Implications or significance of the problem
• Work schedule (timetable)
• References
• Budget and resources
• Annexes

Title of the Proposal

• Should be concise, descriptive, informative, and catchy
• Should clearly indicate the independent and dependent variables
• Provides the "key words" for classification and indexing of the project

Abstract

• A brief summary of approximately 300 words
• Summarizes all the central elements of the protocol
• Includes the rationale, objectives, methods, populations, time frame, and expected outcomes

Introduction

• Provides background information
• Includes topic area, research problems (hypotheses or research questions), and significance to knowledge
• Literature review is central to the introduction, serving two main functions:
  • Broadening the knowledge base
  • Informing methods and research design

Critical Review of Literature

• Summarizes previous research to understand what is already known and unknown
• Helps to eliminate replication of what has been done
• Provides a basis for formulating research problems and deciding methodology
• Helps to determine the significance of the proposed research

Statement of the Problem

• Identifies gaps in the existing body of knowledge
• Identifies unanswered questions
• Identifies the issues that are the basis of the study
• Develops a rationale for the study with reference to how it will fill the identified gaps

Hypotheses

• A statement of assumptions about a phenomenon or relationship between two variables
• A scientific study is based on hypotheses
• Indicates the expected outcomes of the investigation
• Should be first stated in positive form
• Objectives of the study can be written based on the hypotheses

Aim and Objectives

• Aim is a broad statement of what you hope to do
• Objectives are specific and indicate the central problem of the study
• Main objectives and sub-objectives should be clearly stated
• Each sub-objective should address only one issue
• Objectives should use action-oriented verbs such as "to determine", "to find out", and "to ascertain"

Methodology and Procedure of the Study

• Outlines the entire research plan
• Describes the sample, population, tools, and statistical analysis techniques
• Describes how to answer research questions, carry out the research, validate findings, and show applicability

Ethical Issues

• Identify any ethical issues that may arise during the research
• Describe how to deal with them
• Consider ethical issues from the viewpoint of respondents, including potential "harm"

Work Schedule

• Set dates for completing the research
• List operational steps and indicate the date by which each task will be completed
• Develop a chart of timetable

References

• Provides a list of references in the form of a bibliography
• Includes books, journals, conference proceedings, etc.

Budget and Resources

• Identify what is needed for the research and estimate costs
• Consider funding body requirements or limited budget constraints

Annexes

• Include appropriate appendixes in the proposal

Research Proposal

• A research proposal is a document that provides a detailed description of the intended program, outlining the entire research process.

Components of a Research Proposal

• A research proposal includes the following essential parts:
  • Title
  • Abstract
  • Introduction and background of research
  • Statement of the problem
  • Critical review of literature or theoretical framework of the study
  • Research problems and hypotheses (or research questions)
  • Aims and objectives
  • Methodology and procedure of the study
  • Implications or significance of the problem
  • Work schedule (timetable)
  • References
  • Budget and resources
  • Annexes

Title of the Proposal

• The title should be concise, descriptive, informative, and catchy.
• It should clearly indicate the independent and dependent variables.
• The title provides the "key words" for classification and indexing of the project.

Abstract

• The abstract should summarize all the central elements of the protocol, including the rationale, objectives, methods, populations, time frame, and expected outcomes.
• It should be approximately 300 words.

Introduction

• The introduction provides the readers with background information.

Hypotheses

• A hypothesis is a statement of assumptions about a phenomenon or relationship between two variables that will be tested within the study.
• A scientific study is based on hypotheses.
• The hypothesis indicates the expected outcomes of the investigation.
• The hypotheses should be first stated in positive form.

Aims and Objectives

• The aim is what you hope to do, your overall intention in the project.
• The aim is generally broad.
• The objectives of the study should be clearly stated and specific in nature.
• Each sub-objective should address only one issue.
• Use action-oriented verbs such as 'to determine', 'to find out', and 'to ascertain' in formulating sub-objectives.

Objectives of the Study

• Main objectives indicate the central problem of the study.
• Sub-objectives identify the specific issues to be examined.
• If the objective is to test a hypothesis, follow the convention of hypothesis formulation in wording the specific objectives.

Methodology and Procedure of the Study

• This part of the proposal outlines the entire research plan.
• It describes what must be done, how it will be done, what data will be needed, and how the data will be analyzed and conclusions drawn.

Literature Review

• The literature review is of central importance in the introduction.
• It serves two main functions:
  • Broadens your knowledge base.
  • Provides information on the methods used by others in similar situations.

Statement of the Problem

• Identify the gaps in the existing body of knowledge.
• Identify the unanswered questions.
• Identify the issues that are the basis of your study.
• Identify what knowledge is available concerning your questions.
• Specify the differences of opinion in the literature regarding these questions if differences exist.
• Develop a rationale for your study with particular reference to how your study will fill the identified gaps.