Research Proposal Writing Essentials

Proposal Writing Problems

• Poorly framed research questions can appear trivial if placed within a general literature review. Focus on a specific, current research area to highlight significance.
• Research questions should be contextualized in a "hot" or viable area, with historical and contemporary background. Identify key players and relevant publications.

Introduction Structure

• Start with a general problem statement, then focus on a specific research problem.
• Justify the proposed study; explain the necessity and importance of the research question.
• Outline the rationale and worth of the study.
• Detail major and sub-problems to be addressed.
• Identify independent and dependent variables or the phenomena to be studied.
• State hypotheses (if applicable - exploratory or phenomenological research may not have them).
• Define the boundaries of the study.

Methodology Section

• Describe the instruments, e.g., questionnaires or measuring devices, including their validity and reliability.
• Outline the procedures, activities, timeline, and approach of the study.

Results and Discussion (Proposal Stage)

• Anticipate data types and statistical methods to answer the research question or test hypotheses.
• Highlight potential impact of the research while also acknowledging limitations and weaknesses due to time, budget, and research development stage.

Common Proposal Writing Errors

• Lack of context for the research question.
• Missing boundary conditions for the research.
• Absence of influential prior studies.
• Insufficient acknowledgment of other researchers' theoretical and empirical contributions.
• Losing focus on the central research question.
• Inconsistent or unpersuasive argumentation.
• Excessive detail on minor issues, insufficient detail on major ones.
• Rambling, lack of clear direction.
• Citation issues or incorrect references.
• Length issues (too long or too short).
• Non-adherence to APA style.
• Sloppy writing.

This quiz covers key elements of writing a research proposal, focusing on structuring the introduction, framing research questions, and detailing methodology. You'll learn how to contextualize your research within current literature and justify the significance of your study. Test your knowledge on creating a compelling proposal that addresses both major and sub-problems.