IJPHCS International Journal of Public Health and Clinical Sciences

Open Access: e-Journal Vol. 1:No. 1

September/October 2014

WRITING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Muhamad Hanafiah Juni

Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Putra Malaysia,

43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, MALAYSIA

Corresponding email: [email protected]

ABSTRACT

A research proposal is an important process of any research. The success of any research is
depending on the quality of research proposal. The science and art of writing a research
proposal depending on several factors, these include the time deadlines, quality benchmarks
and associated costs. A research proposal should provide an overview of research, it gives the
reader sufficient information about the research work, the complete work plan, the value and
the scope of the research. A research proposal does not only communicates what researchers
are trying to accomplish, but is also a tool for researchers to obtaining research fund. There
are no specific rules on structure or format on writing a research proposal – it is depend on
institution, funding agency and supervisor of thesis or dissertation. A research proposal may
refine as the research on progress – it is not uncommon when comes to the final submission it
might be a totally different document. Aim of this paper is to provide some guides and tips on
writing a research proposal to new researchers, as well undergraduate or post graduate
students.

Keywords: Writing, Research, Proposal

1.0 Introduction

Research is an essential part of undergraduate and post graduate academic programme. The
learning outcome of the programme will not be fulfilled in the absence of academic research,
which is not as easy as it is thought. Research is a scientific and systematic investigation to
acquire new knowledge, information’s, facts, appropriate solution to a problem, deduce
theory and generalisation. Through research an academician could expand their area of
knowledge and further the study. Before conducting any research, the researcher has to
prepare a research proposal for approval by supervisor, institution, funding agency and ethical
committee.

Preparing a research proposal is an essential step in the research process. There are various
micro steps to be undertaken by researcher to prepare a good research proposal. There is no
specific format or structure to be followed by researcher in preparing a research proposal; it is
depend on supervisor of thesis or dissertation, institution and funding agency. In this article
the author proposes a research proposal structure as a guide to researcher or students. It is
depending on institution, funding agency and thesis or dissertation supervisor, some
components of the propose structure may require omission or inclusion of additional heading.

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2.0 Purpose of a research proposal

A research proposal is an overall plan of the research that the researcher intended to carry out.
It is an intellectual scholastic document that specifies,

 What the researcher want to do and why

 How the researcher will do it
 What researcher expect will be the result
 How the researcher will interpret the result

Research proposal is intended to convince supervisor, institution, funding agency or ethical

committee that the researcher has a worthwhile research project, and the researcher has the
competency and work plan to complete the research.

A research proposal should contain all the key elements in research and sufficient information
should be included to assist the evaluator in evaluation process. The quality of a research
proposal not only depends on the quality of proposed project, but also on the quality of
research proposal writing. Therefore it is very important for a researcher to write a coherent,
clear and compelling research proposal according to structured proposal writing format. A
vague, weak or incomplete research proposal can lead to a long, painful, and often
unsuccessful research implementation, hence lead to unsuccessful thesis or dissertation
writing. A good and well thought research proposal will forms the back-borne of research –
and probably will become part of thesis or dissertation itself.

3.0 Structure of a research proposal

In Table 1, a research proposal is structured according to thesis or dissertation writing style. It

is likely to contain most of the elements stated in Table 1.

Table 1: Propose structure of a research proposal

Components or Function/Purpose Characteristics

Heading

1. Cover page Identifies the followings: Title of research;

- Topic/Title
- Name of researcher and Title should be descriptive of focus,
co researchers simple, concise, eye-catching and use
- Institution key words.
- Purpose: fulfilment of The title of study would answer;
degree or program, or - What
funding - Who
- Where
- When
- How
Avoid “useless” word for title, i.e.:
“A study of...” (Anywhere your
research already a study),
“Evaluating of....”
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2. Table of contents List chapters or sections of Uses a hierarchy for heading and
proposal with main heading, sub-heading, example:
and page references Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Heading 1
1.2 Heading 2
1.3 Heading 3
.........................
Chapter 2 Literature Review
2.1 Heading 1
2.1.1 Sub heading 1
2.1.2 Sub heading 2

2.2 Heading 2
etc...........................

Chapter 3 Materials and Methods

............................
3. Abstract Write an abstract for the Abstract should not exceed 300
research proposal. An words or a page. An abstract includes
abstract is a summary of the a brief background of research and
research work. methods employs in the research.

4. CHAPTER 1:
INTRODUCTION

Under Chapter 1 the The purpose of the

following heading introduction is to construct
normally covered; logical information that will
educate the reader about the
research proposed.

1.1 Background 1.1 Background May include information on

Provide background of geographical, population, historical,
research, to familiarize cultural, political, social and
reader with research organizational.
topic.

1.2 Specific 1.2 Specific information on May include:

information on topic of study, i.e. on i. Definition
the research epidemiology etc. to ii. Description of the
help on developing the epidemiology of problem to be
problem statement of the study; global, national and
research. local; including factors
associated with the problem
iii. Brief explanation on theoretical
context of research

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1.3 Problem In this sub section it stated Problem statements will answer
statements the problem to be following questions;
investigated in the research. i. Why is the research important?
Problem statement also Supported by facts on the
stating why is this problem magnitude of the problem
warranting the research, and
the problem statements will ii. What other studies have been
lead to a research questions. in the area? Highlight
limitations and weakness of
other studies, and identifies the
gaps

iii. Significant or benefits of the

study;
- Add to new knowledge
- Input in policy decision
making
- Program planning

1.4 Research
questions

A research question is Research questions are The following points are highlight
a more precise and listing of questions that the some of the features of good research
detailed expression of research seeks to answer. questions;
the research problem The research question i. Relevant – research questions
statements. together with research should be academically and
approaches will guide intellectually interest to people
researcher and structure the in the field of study.
choice of data to be For example; filling a gap of
collected and analysed. knowledge, analysing academic
assumption or professional
practice, comparing different
approaches or testing theories
ii. Manageable in term of research
and in term of researcher own
academic abilities – researcher
need to be realistic about the
scope and scale of the research.
Therefore the question asks must
be within researcher ability to
tackle
iii. Substantial and with original
dimensions – shows researcher
own imagination and ability to
construct and developed research
issues
iv. Consistent with the requirement
of study.
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v. Clear and simple

vi. Interesting – this is essential, the
question should maintain
researcher interest throughout
the study. Avoid question which
are convenient or flashy.

1.5 Objectives of the

study

1.5.1 General The objective of research The objectives are often first stated
objective should follow from the in fairly general term, followed by
research problem statements more detailed statement of the
1.5.2 Specific and research questions. It is relevant specific objective.
Objectives statements of what
researcher want to achieve General objective
by doing the research. Example: To determine the incidence
of dengue and its risk factors in
The objectives; Malaysia
i. Provide direction to
the research Specific objectives
The specific objectives of the above
ii. Serve as standard of general objective could be; To
performance determine incidence rate of dengue
fever among urban and rural
iii. Determine the roles population of Malaysia, and more
and efforts need to be specific objectives can be developed
coordinated in the for the above general objective.
research
The SMART objectives;
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Realistic
- Time-bound

The SMART objectives will guide

researchers to plan research work
according to output.

1.6 Hypotheses Hypotheses are supposition Research hypothesis:

that is tested using statistic
that leads to the acceptance A hypothesis could be stated as a
or rejection. positive declaration and known as
research hypothesis.

Example: The prevalence of dengue

fever in urban and rural area is

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different, or the prevalence of

dengue fever is higher in urban area
than rural area.

Null hypothesis
A hypothesis could also be stated as
a negative declaration and known as
null hypothesis.

Example: There is no significant

difference between the prevalence of
dengue fever in urban and rural
area, or there is an association of
prevalence of dengue fever with……

If statistical testing is intended in the

analyses, the hypotheses should be as
specific as possible, and not implicit.

1.7 Definition of In this section researcher may define some of the important
terms terminology commonly used in the research.

5. CHAPTER 2:
LITERATURE
REVIEW

In literature review a
research proposal will
contain;
2.1 Literature
review

Simple approach in A literature review is an A literature review is information

writing a literature integral part of a research dense; therefore it must be
review is by proposal; Reflecting the intelligently structured to help reader
following the usual researchers knowledge of to grasp the key arguments.
academic writing, a the topic and highlights the Following focus in writing a
literature review may importance of the research literature review could be helpful
have; proposal. It represent a (The 5 C’s);
- Introduction review of finding from
- Body previous research, related to i. Cite (source); keep primary focus
- Conclusion the topic intended to study. on the literature review related
Dilemma of students The researcher could use with research topic
normally on the this information to put his or ii. Compare; compare various
numbers of references her own research into arguments, themes,
to be included in the context and make the case methodologies, approaches and
literature review – for why it should be studied. findings of the literature; who
there is no specific It is very important to else employs similar
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rules on the numbers distinguish a literature methodologies.

of references; it review with an annotated iii. Contrast; contrast various
depends on the bibliography which arguments, themes,
purpose of the review describing and evaluating methodologies, approaches and
itself. Following as a the text in one paragraph findings of the literature; areas of
guide only; one after another. In agreement and disagreement, and
- Undergraduate contrast to a literature debate.
research: 10 to review which contains iv. Critique; critically analysed the
20 references synthesises of many text in literature.
- Master: 40 to one paragraph. v. Connect the literature or
50 references determine the relationship of the
- Doctoral: 60+ literature with the research.
references
Like other academic writing, a
Your supervisor literature review to be structure into:
should specify on the - Introduction
numbers of references - Body and,
require. - Conclusion.

2.2 Conceptual A conceptual framework The research conceptual framework

Framework contribute to a research in at presentation could be in form of;
least two ways: i. Flow charts.
Provides the structure ii. Tree diagrams.
and content for the i. Identifies the research
whole research based variables iii. Shape based diagrams –
on literature. During ii. Clarifies relationship triangles, concentric circles,
conceptual frame- among the research overlapping circles.
work development, variables iv. Mind maps.
researcher should v. Soft systems.
avoid making Conceptual frameworks
assumption without provide researchers with:
backup by facts and
data. i. The ability to move
beyond descriptions of
‘what’ to explanations
of ‘why’ and ‘how’.

ii. A means of setting out

an explanation set that
might be used to define
and make sense of the
data that flow from the
research question.

iii. As a filtering tool for

selecting appropriate
research questions and
related data collection
methods.
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iv. As a reference point or

structure for the
discussion of the
literature, methodology
and results.

v. The boundaries of the

research work

Conceptual frameworks,
however, also have
problems;

i. Is influenced by the
experience and
knowledge of the
individual – initial bias.
ii. Once developed will
influence the
researcher’s thinking
and may result in some
things being given
prominence and others
being ignored – ongoing
bias.

Therefore very important to

revisit the research
conceptual framework as
the research is on.

6. CHAPTER 3:
METHODOLOGY

In this section, the This section is derived from research questions and research
researcher should objectives. It provides a written description of the specific actions,
make clear to the plan, or strategy you will take to answer your research questions. It
reader the intended is dealing with the practical implementation of research in term of
approach, technique selection of research subjects, research instrumentations, data
and work plan for the collection, data analysis and interpretation of results. At the
implementation of the proposal stage, the methodological philosophies of research
research. methods are not require.

In the methodology
section the following
sub headings are
normally covers;

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3.1 Study location Description of study location to make reader understand any
problems and limitations face by researcher during implementation
of the research.
3.2 Study design Study design should best suits research. The study design indicates
the plan or strategy to be used in research. The type of study design
and duration of study will be included in this sub section.
3.3 Study population A study population is define as all people or subjects with the
characteristic one wishes to study.
3.4 Sampling A sampling population is the selected population or subject from
population which the study sample is drawn.
3.5 Inclusion and Characteristics of population or subjects in sampling population to
exclusion criteria be included or excluded from the study.
3.6 Sampling frame Sampling frame is a list of the population or subjects (preferably the
entire population) with appropriate contact information to be
included in the study. For example, in an opinion poll, possible
sampling frames include a list of people in electoral register or a list
people in telephone directory.

3.7 Sampling size In this sub section of your research proposal, you will describe the
sample size and how you determined sample size to be include in
the study and what attributes they have which make them uniquely
suitable for the study.
We recommend using formula in sample size calculation, and
reasons to use the formula need to be explained. The parameter used
in calculation need to be explained and require reference.

3.8 Sampling Describe sampling method intended to be employ in the study.

methods

3.9 Study variables You need to identify independent variables and dependent variable
of the study. Each of the variables needs to be defined operationally.

Independent Variable (IV)

The independent variable, also known as the IV, is the variable that
the researchers are manipulating in the study. It is also the label
given to the "criterion" variable in certain types of regression
analysis.

Dependent Variable (DV)

The dependent variable, or DV, is the one that is being measured by
the researcher; it is the outcome variable. There is often confusion
between the IV and the DV among new science students, but a good
way to distinguish them is to remember that the outcome of
measuring the DV is hypothesized to depend on the manipulation of
the IV.

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Other types of variables are;

Covariate
A covariate is a variable that the researchers include in an analysis
to determine whether the IV is able to influence the DV over and
above any effect the covariate might have. The classic example is
when researchers take a baseline measurement, perform some
manipulation, and then take the measurement again. When they
analyse this data, they will enter the baseline scores as a covariate,
which will help cancel out any initial differences between the
participants.

Extraneous Variables
An extraneous variable is a little different from the rest because it is
not directly measured, or often unwanted, by the researchers. It is a
variable that has an impact on the results of the experiment that the
researchers didn't anticipate.

3.10 Study instrument In this subsection describing any the instruments to be use in the
research. The following information should be included:
i. Type of instruments: questionnaire, equipment or performa
ii. Variables measured by instruments
iii. Why the instruments or apparatus are used.
iv. Reference indicating where apparatus or instruments can be
obtained
v. Quality control
vi. Reliability and validity of instruments.

3.11 Data collection Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring
information on variables of study interest. A formal data collection
process is necessary as it ensures that data gathered are both defined
and accurate and that subsequent decisions based on arguments
embodied in the findings are valid.
In this sub section researcher require to describe all methods of data
collection that will be employs in the study.

3.12 Data analysis Describes exactly how you propose to analyse the data and type of
software to be employs.
In a quantitative study, you will use some type of statistical
analysis. You need to specify those analyses.

3.13 Expected results In this sub section should give a good indication of expected result
from the study. The expected result should answering the research
questions and research objectives; and back up with statistics and
theory employs in the study.
In this sub section also good place to summarize the significance of
the study.

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3.14 Ethical approval All ethical requirements of institution or research including consent
should be indicated in this sub section.

7. STUDY Two types of study limitation;

LIMITATION i. Design limitation
ii. Researcher limitation
Research design is largely established by the limitations of the
researcher. You need to consider how much time you have to
complete the study, budget constraints, and physical proximity.

8. WORK PLAN The research work plan could act as a brief reminder of what it is
that the researcher are going to achieve and what will follow from
the one activity to another activity.
In developing time-lines of research, institutional and funding
agency requirement must be taken into consideration; Example the
duration of study and duration of funding grant.
Work plan could be develop by breaking up objectives or main
research activities into small tasks. Time of completion of each task
and it output could be used as milestone and will guide researcher
on progression of the research.
Presentation of the work plan could be in the form of;
- Chart (Commonly use Gantt’s Chart)
- Timelines
- Flowchart

9. BUDGET Preparing a detailed budgetduring the proposal stage can minimize

budget management difficulties during project implementation once
the project is funded. A carefully constructed detailed budget
increasesthe likelihood of securing funding because it documents
the research team’sexpertise to the funding agency. Different
funding agencies have different format and requirement for research
budget preparation.

10. References List all work that have been referred, and use referencing
conventions recommended by the institution or supervisor.

2. General guidelines

Other general guidelines need to follow institutional requirement, example; language,

pagination, page margin, spacing, and font type and size.

3. Need more help

Your supervisor, potential co-researchers or mentor are the best persons to be consulted if you
having problem in writing research proposal.

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4. Conclusion

A research proposal writing is an effort that highlights topic of the research, the method that
will be use to investigate it, and an effort to either to confirm or test a theory or to add to a
scarce or non-existent body of academic literature. The research proposal should also present
a modest literature review citing existing research that supports both the topic and the
relevance of a research project that confirms or supports existing theory or that presents new
information to the academic world. A good and well thought research proposal will forms the
back-borne of the research.

References

Abramson, J.H. & Abramson, Z.H. (2004). Survey Methods in Community Medicine:
Epidemiological Research, Programme Evaluation and Clinical Trials. Fifth Edition.
Churchill Livingstone: London.

Guide to Thesis Preparation. (2011). School of Graduate Studies. Universiti Putra Malaysia.
UPM Press: Serdang.

Lee, Lai- Soon. & Alfaris, Rand. (July 2010). User guide for Universiti Putra Malaysia Post-
graduate Students Thesis Template.Institue for Methametical Research (INSPEM) Universiti
Putra Malaysia (UPM): Serdang.

Muhamad Hanafiah Juni, Nor Afiah Mohd Zulkefli & Halimatus Sakdiah Minhat
(2014).Handbook Master of Public Health Programme, University Putra
Malaysia.Department of Community Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences,
UPM:Serdang.

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