Guidelines for Research Proposal

Research Proposal
A research is actually a road map showing clearly the location from where a journey
begins; the method of getting there and the destination to be reached.

The purpose for the research proposal is to:

 Present the problem to be reached and its importance
 Give an idea to instructor about how you will proceed in your research
 Suggest the data necessary for solving the problem and how the data will be
gathered treated and interpreted.

A proposal is also known as a work plan, prospectus, outline, statement of intent, or draft
plan. It tells us
 What will be done?
 Why it will be done?
 How it will be done?
 Where it will be done
 For whom it will be done?
 What is the benefit of doing it?

Format of Research Proposal

Title page: This includes your name, department and supervisor/s, title: Proposal for
Thesis, and thesis title

Table of Contents

Abstract:
This includes a brief summary of your proposal, what your research will involve,
research questions or hypothesis, research methods and how you will analyse the data.

Introduction:
This sets out why you chose your topic - what prompted your interest in the topic; the
links with previous research; ways your thesis is different or unique; and states the
research objectives, questions or hypothesis.

In general, the introduction of a research proposal should include:

 Topic area
 Context/Background of research
 Significance of research
 Objectives of research
 Research questions
Research methodology:
In this section identify the methodology that underpins your research and give a rationale
for your approach. This section outlines how you are going to get your data. By reading
widely you will be familiar with methodologies followed by previous researchers and
have explored possible research methods. You will be aware of problems others have
encountered and be able to design your research and adapt methods for your research.
Outline the methods you will use and problems you anticipate. You may need to identify
the research paradigm and epistemologies that underpin your research. Outline whether
your research is qualitative or quantitative, whether you are using triangulation, statistics,
interviewing, questionnaires, experiments, observations etc. Also outline ethical
considerations of your research.

Indicative literature:
A scholarly review of earlier work relevant to the concerned topic providing appropriate
history and recognizing the priority of the work of others and indicate the relevant
literature you have read so far sets your research in context. It identifies the direction you
will take from among the possible theoretical directions.

Analysis and discussion:

This section suggests what you are going to do with the data. Identify the data matrix and
outline the aims of your research again and ideas you have on how you are going to
analyse the data. Include any tools for analysis you intend using or trying out.

Timeline:
Include a timeline/action plan to guide you and keep you on track. For example estimate
the time needed for tasks and assign tasks for each week/month.

Format:
Outline the format of your thesis. Suggest how many chapters you will have, chapter
headings and the order of presentation.

Conclusion:
Write about the anticipated outcomes/results of your research and also conclude how
these anticipated outcomes/results of your research will be applied or be used.

Bibliography/Reference List:
This section will contain all citations included in your proposal according to Harvard
style. It will be found at the end of the proposal.

Appendices: This section will include additional documents and materials such as
covering letters, consent forms, questionnaires, survey forms, and letters of introduction
to subjects etc which are relevant to your research.
Note: A quality/ standard proposal include:

 Informative title;
 Convincing abstract;
 Clear research question;
 Scientific background and rationale;
 Good selection of research methods;
 Ethical considerations; and
 Realistic budget and time table.