Research Proposal
Contents
• What is research
• What is proposal
• Definition of research proposal
• Importance of research proposal
• Advantages of research proposal
• Relationship of research proposal with research
Research Proposal
Contents
Component of research proposal
• Title
• Introduction
• Statement of the problem
• Literature Review
• Research Gap
• Theoretical Framework
• Hypothesis
• Purpose /objective of study
• Significance of Study
• Limitations / Scope
• Method, Research Design, Sample.
• References
Research Proposal
What is research?
• The systematic investigation into and study of materials
and sources in order to establish facts and reach new
conclusions
• A careful consideration of study regarding a particular
concern or problem using scientific methods
• Research is a systematic inquiry to describe, explain,
predict, and control the observed phenomenon
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Research Proposal
What is proposal?
• A plan or suggestion, especially a formal or written one,
put forward for consideration by others
• A proposal is a document that is prepared for a
prospective customer to persuade the prospect to adopt
the solution to a problem or the fulfillment of a need
offered in the proposal
• A research proposal is a document that outlines how you
propose to undertake your research studies
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Research Proposal
Definition of Research Proposal
• A research proposal is a document written by a researcher
that provides a detailed description of the proposed
program/project/study
• It is like an outline of the entire research process that gives
a reader a summary of the information discussed in a
program/project/study
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Research Proposal
Importance of Research Proposal
• It helps to examine what the researcher intends to do
• Research proposal can serve as a document of contract for
the project
• Research proposal can be effective starting places to
discuss projects with your professor
• The research proposal is able to give an overview of the
research project so that other people understand the scope
of the research, the significance of the research, as well as
your proposed methodology and chosen research method
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Research Proposal
Advantages of Research Proposal
• Fund to support your research
• Allow you to review and critically evaluate your current
research program
• Convince yourself and others that your research is worth
supporting
• Keep you focused on your research program
• Develop novel ideas during writing proposal
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Research Proposal
Relationship of Research Proposal with Research
• Research proposal is a plan, and research is action
• Research proposal is compulsory for approving proposed
research
• Research proposal is a schedule and research is activity
• Research proposal is a mirror of research
• Research proposal is a blue print of research
• Research proposal can serve as a document of contract
for the project
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Research Proposal
Component of Research Proposal
• A research proposal is a document written by a researcher
that provides a detailed description of the proposed
program/project/study
Component of Research Proposal
TITLE
• Precise and accurate
• Unambiguous
• Avoid extremely long titles
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Research Proposal
Component of Research Proposal
INTRODUCTION
• Orient the readers towards the topic
• Explain the importance and relevance of the topic
• Justifies the choice of the topic
• Research question/hypothesis
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Research Proposal
Component of Research Proposal
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
• The problem statement describes the context for the
study and it also identifies the general analysis
approach
• Should indicate why the researcher needs to be done
and what will be its relevance
• Conveys information about a research problem
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Research Proposal
Component of Research Proposal
LITERATURE REVIEW
• It shares with the reader the results of other studies
that are closely related to the study being reported
• It prevents the duplication of work that has been done
before
• Theoretical framework
• A summary
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Research Proposal
Component of Research Proposal
RESEARCH GAP
• A research gap is defined as a topic or area for which
missing or insufficient information limits the ability to
reach a conclusion for a question
• A research need is defined as a gap that limits the
ability of decision-makers (policy-makers, patients,
practitioners) from making decisions
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Research Proposal
Component of Research Proposal
THEORITICAL FRAMEWORK
• The theoretical framework is the structure that can hold
or support a theory of a research study
• The theoretical framework introduces and describes the
theory which explains why the research problem under
study exists
• The theoretical framework must demonstrate an
understanding of theories and concepts that are
relevant to the topic of your research
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Research Proposal
Component of Research Proposal
HYPOTHESES / RESEARCH QUESTION
• Build the case to support the hypothesis with literature
and data---no reinventing the wheel
• Seeing is believing: Use schematic figures or diagrams
to help reviewers understand your model and idea
• State your hypothesis clearly in the abstract and
specific aims; alternative hypothesis in case
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Research Proposal
Component of Research Proposal
OBJECTIVE OF STUDY
• The general objective of a study states what researcher
expects to achieve by the study in general terms
• What to achieve?
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Research Proposal
Component of Research Proposal
SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY
• Significance of the study is written as part of research
proposal.
• It provides details to the reader on how the study will
contribute such as what the study will contribute and
who will benefit from it
• It also includes an explanation of the work's importance
as well as its potential benefits.
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Research Proposal
Component of Research Proposal
LIMITATIONS / Scope
• Limitations are influences that the researcher cannot
control
• They are the shortcomings, conditions or influences
that cannot be controlled by the researcher that place
restrictions on your methodology and conclusions
• Any limitations that might influence the results should
be mentioned
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Research Proposal
Component of Research Proposal
METHODOLOGY
•Subjective
• Interviews
• Questionnaires
• Discussions
• Surveys
•Objective
• Experimental
• Use of measuring devices
• Use of recording devices.
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Research Proposal
Component of Research Proposal
RESEARCH DESIGN
• Descriptive case study
• Mixed Method
• Quantitative Method Design
• Qualitative Method Design
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Research Proposal
Component of Research Proposal
REFERENCES
• List all references cited in the proposal
• Make sure these references are:–
• Up-to-date
• Relevant
• Original source
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Research Proposal
The Common Error in Proposal Writing
REFERENCES
• Too much detail on minor issues, but not enough detail
on major issues
• Too many citation lapses and incorrect references
Sloppy writing
• Failure to state all of the basic assumptions that are
relevant to the study
• Concerns irrelevant assumptions
• Selecting unsubstantiated assumptions which cannot be
defended by any logic, empirical evidence 23
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