How to write a research proposal

Research proposal should contain all the key elements involved in the research process and include sufficient information for the readers to evaluate the proposed study. All research proposal must address the following questions: What you plan to accomplish, Why you want to do it and How you are going to do it.

 

1. Title, is The title should be concise and descriptive. Your title should be informative and also catch the reader to pay attention to it.

 

2. Abstract In writing the abstract, it should contain approximately 300 words. Include the research question, the relational for study, the hypothesis, the method and the main findings.

 

3. Introduction It's usually in the beginning with a general statement of the problem area and needs to be followed by the rationale or justification for the proposed study. The function of the introduction in your research proposal is to provide the necessary background for your research problem. The introduction typically begins with a general statement of the problem area, with a focus on a specific research problem, to be followed by the rationale or justification for the proposed study.

 

4. Literature Review The functions of the literature review:

1. Make sure that you are not “reinventing the wheel”

2. Gives credits to those who have laid the groundwork for your research.

3. Demonstrates your knowledge of the research problem

4. Demonstrates your understanding of theoretical and research issues related to your research question

5. Shows your ability to critically evaluate relevant literature information.

6. Indicates your ability to integrate and synthesize the existing literature

7. provides new theoretical insight or develops a new model as the conceptual framework for your research.

8. Convince your reader that your proposed research will make a significant and substantial contribution on the literature

 

5. Methods In this section, you will tell the reader how you plan to tackle your research problem. It needs to provide your work plan and describe the activities necessary for the completion of your project. In writing the method, it should contain important information for the reader to determine whether the methodology is sound. You need to demonstrate tour knowledge of alternative methods and make the case that your approach is the most appropriate and valid way to address your research question.

 

6. Results You do not have results at the proposal stage. But, you need to have some idea about what kind of data you will be collect and what the statistical procedures you will be using to answer your research question.

7. Discussion In this section, you need to convince your reader of the potential impact of your proposed research.

 

 

Here are some common mistakes in proposal writing

1. Failure to provide the proper context to frame the research question 2. Failure to delimit the boundary conditions

3. Failure to cite landmark studies

4. Too much detail on minor issues, but not enough detail on major issues

5. 5. Failure to stay focused on the research question.