Structure and Components of a
Research Proposal
Khulna University, Khulna 9208 Bangladesh
What is Research Proposal?
• Wr i t t e n p l a n o f a s t u d y
• Details about what the researcher intends to do
• A good research proposal is based on scientific facts and on the art of
c l e a r c o m m u n i c a t i o n.
• It i s l i k e a b l u e p r i n t o f a b u i l d i n g p l a n b e f o r e t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n s t a r t s.
• Wr i t i n g a f o r m a l r e s e a r c h p r o p o s a l s h o u l d b e s t a r t e d b y t h e t i m e o n e
ha s d e c i d e d o n t h e t o p i c f o r t h e s t u d y.
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Major Components of Research Proposal
Title
Summary
Background of
the Study
Statement of the
Problem
Objectives
Research
Methods
Work Plan/
Schedule
Budget
Expected outcome
Conclusion
References/
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Bibliography
Title
Catchy: It catches the reader's attention by peaking their
interest.
Positive: It spins your project in a positive way towards the
reader.
Example of a standard research title:
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Summary
Summary should be:
Brief Summary of
Scope of the Study
research state purpose, proposal ≥ 250 words
the deliverables Main research
and boundaries
of the study question & Highlight research
rational questions, methodology,
Methodology & expected outcomes
methods- Final
Theoretical lens outcome of Depict potential
that informs the
study and state
the project impact of the study
data collection
tools
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Background of the Study
• Provide general information about the research topic
• Pay attention on main aim of research proposal
• Summarize interpretation of previous research or existing
literatures
• Portray significance of the research in global context and
suggest what the study intends to achieve
• Discuss findings in a chronological manner and points out
the research gaps that need to be addressed
Any Readers
Understand what it is you want to do;
Have a sense of your passion for the topic;
Be excited about the study’s possible outcomes. 14
• Think about what questions other researchers have asked, what methods they used, what they
found, and what they recommended based upon their findings.
• Do not be afraid to challenge previous related research findings and/or conclusions.
• Assess what you believe to be missing from previous research and explain how your
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research fills in this gap and/or extends previous research.
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Statement of the Problem
• Describe the
context of the
Statement study
• Identify general
Problem
analysis approach
• Indicate why this
research need to be
done
• What will be its
relevance
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Objectives:
Keep your objectives SMART
Specific: Indicate precisely what you
intend to achieve through this
objective
Measurable: What you accept as proof
of project success
Attainable: Given the resources
available
Relevant: Related to the overall goal
of the project
Time bound: Can be achieved in the
given time 18
Research Methodology
Research design can be qualitative or quantitative
Methods::
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Expected outcome
• Present specific outcomes, the change expected at
the end of the implementation phase
• Should be stated in observable, measurable terms
• Each objectives may have several outcomes; outcomes should
directly/ indirectly fulfil the objectives
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Example of a timeline/ schedule of a Project:
Work Plan/ Schedule
• Identify target dates for significant
actions of the proposed research
• Planning of the starting and ending of
each major phase
• Sequencing flow and timeline of the
study
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Budget
• Quantitative expression of financial plan for future research expenses
• A prediction of expenses of proposed research
• Important for Accountability
• Justify the budget with explanation of the need for each line item
• Quantification of total cost of each line item and documentation of cost
calculation should be done
Personnel
E.g.: Salaries
Expense
Consumable
Recurring
E.g.: Publication
Direct Expense charge
Research
Cost Non- One time expense
Budget Plan recurring E.g.: Equipment,
Indirect Expense Software
Cost
Travel
Expense 22
Conclusion
• Discuss why the study should be done. Specifically discuss how you expect
your study will advance existing knowledge and how your study is unique.
• Explain the specific purpose of the study and the research questions that the
study will answer.
• Explain why the research design and methods chosen for this study are
appropriate, and why other designs and methods were not chosen.
• State the potential implications you expect to emerge from your proposed study,
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References/ Bibliography
• Needed for any statement of the proposal which is not of common knowledge, requires
source information
• Most relevant and recent references, mainly of international research journals are
preferable Example of standard APA style references:
Related Technicalities in
writing references/
documents to bibliography
be consulted followed
Reference
Characteristics
Presented in classified
Presented in manner viz.,
alphabetic manuscripts, books,
order commission reports,
newspaper etc.
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Mistakes to avoid writing a Research Proposal
• D i scard excessive word using
• Avoid focusing in minor i ssues
• Avoid c i t ing mistak es and follow pr oper
r e f e r e n c i n g sty le
• Should have compelli ng r esear ch ar gument
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ThankYou
