HOW TO WRITE A
GOOD RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
PRESENTER
IVAN BUKENYA NSANDA
ANO
0759-69-86-25
OBJECTIVES
Definition of a Research Proposal and Purpose
Reasons for writing research proposals
Steps followed when writing a proposal
Characteristics of a good research proposal
Components of a complete research proposal
Tips of writing a catchy research proposal
Definition and Main Purpose
• A Research Proposal Refers to detailed, structured
document that outlines a planned research project. It
describes the research problem or question, objectives,
methodology, significance, and required resources.
• The purpose of a research proposal is to convince
stakeholders, such as supervisors or funding agencies, of the
value, feasibility, and importance of the proposed study, and
to gain approval or support to proceed with the research
Why Research Proposal?
Why Research Proposal?
• Identifies Potential
• Clarifies the Research Idea:
Challenges:
• Guides the Research Process:
• Facilitates Peer Review and
• Secures Funding and Resources
• Gains Ethical Approval
• Feedback: Establishes a
Roadmap
• Communicates Intent and
Significance:
Steps followed when writing a
good research proposal
• Identify and Define the Research Problem: Clearly specify the issue or question
your research aims to address. (A good research objective should be FINER)
• Formulate Research Objectives and Hypotheses: Define specific goals and
possible predictions based on your problem statement (Objectives should be
SMART)
• Outline the Significance and Justification: Explain the importance of the study
and its potential contribution to the field.
• Conduct a Literature Review: Review existing studies to understand the current
knowledge, gaps, and relevance of your research.
• Design the Research Methodology: Decide on the research approach, methods
for data collection, sampling techniques, and analysis procedures.
Steps Cont’d
• Determine Resources and Budget: Identify the
resources needed, including equipment, personnel, and
funding requirements.
• Write the Proposal: Organize all the above information
into a coherent document, including sections like
introduction, literature review, methodology, expected
results, and references.
• Review and Revise: Proofread and revise the proposal to
ensure clarity, coherence, and completeness, and seek
feedback from peers or supervisors.
Characteristics of a good research proposal
• Clarity and Precision: Clearly states the research problem,
objectives, and methodology without ambiguity.
• Feasibility: Demonstrates that the research can be realistically
completed within available resources, time, and scope.
• Originality and Significance: Presents a unique contribution to
the field and highlights the importance or societal impact of the
study.
• Comprehensive Literature Review: Shows understanding of
existing work and identifies gaps your research will address.
• Logical Structure and Organization: Follows a coherent flow,
making it easy to understand the research plan.
Characteristics Cont’d
• Clear Methodology: Describes detailed methods for data collection and
analysis, ensuring reproducibility.
• Proper Justification: Provides reasons for choosing specific methods,
theories, and approaches.
• Well-Defined Scope: Clearly outlines the boundaries and limitations of
the study.
• Proper Referencing: Cites relevant sources correctly to support the
proposal.
• Persuasiveness: Convincingly argues why the research is important and
worth undertaking.
Components of a complete research proposal
• Preliminary Pages
• Main Body (Chapter 1,2 and 3)
• References
• Appendices
Tips of Writing a good Research
Proposal
1. Understand the Requirements: Carefully review the guidelines
provided by your institution or funding body to ensure compliance.
2. Start with a Clear Research Question: Define a focused, specific
problem or hypothesis that guides your study.
3. Conduct Thorough Literature Review: Familiarize yourself with
existing research to identify gaps and justify your study’s importance.
4. Be Clear and Concise: Use straightforward language; avoid jargon
and overly complex sentences to make your proposal accessible.
Tips Continued
5. Outline a Robust Methodology: Detail your research
design, data collection methods, and analysis plan to
demonstrate feasibility and rigor.
6. Show Significance and Innovation: Explain how your
research will contribute new knowledge or solve a specific
problem.
7. Plan Realistically: Ensure your timeline, resources, and
budget are practical and well-structured.
Tips Cont’d
8. Use Proper Structure and Formatting: Organize your
proposal into sections like introduction, literature review,
methodology, expected results, and references.
9. Proofread and Edit: Check for grammatical errors,
clarity, and coherence. Seek feedback from mentors or
colleagues.
10. Highlight Ethical Considerations: Address any
ethical issues and how you will handle them.
Thank you for Listening
• Any questions or comments?
Any questions or
comments?
