Research Proposal

Writing
Prepared by Chew Sue Ping
Department of Electrical & Electronics Engineering
Faculty of Engineering, UPNM
2019
What is Research proposal?
u Research: any form of disciplined inquiry that aims to contribute to a body of knowledge
or theory

u A research proposal is a concise and coherent summary of your proposed

research.
u It sets questions that you intend to address.
u It outlines the area of your study
u It outlines the current state of knowledge and debates on the topic.
u It also demonstrates the originality of your proposed idea.

“One’s research is only as a good as one’s proposal”- good kick and important in
research process
Research Process

u Identify problem statement

u Formulate hypothesis
u Reviewing the literature
u Constructing research design
u Analysis of data
u Generating conclusions
u Writing proposal!!!
What are the purposes of a research
proposal?
u Research studentship
u Research fund
u Relevance and value of proposed research

u NEXT, what should you include in the proposal?

Contents of Research Proposal
u Topic of research proposal
u Introduction
u Purpose and justification of the study, research question and hypotheses, Brief overview of study
u Objectives of study
u Brief literature review on the research topic
u Theory, studies directly and tangentially related

u Research methodology
u Description of the research design, samples, the instruments used, justification of the techniques or
methods of analysis used, discussion of parameters involved
Contents of Research Proposal (Con’t)

u Conclusion
u Brief summary, the procedures employed , expected outcomes/ findings

u Work planning
u References (Bibliography)
u Appendixes
Title
u Subject of study - Concise title
that gives a general sense of what
you are investigating
u Just a tentative title- may revise
accordingly
u For examples:
u Evaluation of microwave microscopy for dielectric characterisation
u Experimental investigation on the improved curvature loss in optical
waveguides

7
 Introduction
u Define the nature of the problem
u Background/Information related to the study
/ Rationale (purpose to carry out the study)
u Objectives

Dr.Hamda Qotba 2004 8

Literature review
u Address the proposed topic clearly in it relevant research context through
CRITICAL ANALYSIS of existing res
u Precise overview of current state of research and able to link to your
proposed research.
u Describe studies/ theories that related to your proposed research
u Discuss existing / alternatives methods / approaches relevant to your study

Common mistakes:
Lacking organization
Lacking focus and coherence
Failing to cite influential and recent sources
Failing to critically evaluate cited papers
And citing references without indicating their
implications for the proposed study
Objectives

u A concise and clear outline of the intended study

u Relevant to research questions, hypotheses/ research goal

u Requires refinement from time to time

Methodology
u outlinesyour research methods, explaining
how you are going to conduct your research.
Your methods may include data archives,
field work or interviews
u Research Design
u Sample
u Instrumentation
u Procedural detail
u Internal validity
u Data analysis 11
Project Planning
u Gantt Chart & Milestones

u Sequence of research phases and time for each phase

u If you fail to plan, you plan to fail!

Bibliography

u Academic works which addressed in the proposal

u Include a short bibliography identifying the most relevant works for your
topic.
u Preferable recent publications – the development and current state of your
research area
u Use journal papers (reliable and peer reviewed publications)
Common Mistakes in Proposal Writing
u Failure to provide proper context to frame research question
u Unable to develop coherent and persuasive argument for research
u Unable to provide clear direction
u Too short (less than 1500 words) or too lengthy (given too many irrelevant
information)
u Fail to follow the format/ guidelines provided.
General Rules to Consider

u A research report should be written as clearly and

concisely as possible.
u Research reports are always written in the past tense
and free from jargon.
u A style manual (APA manual) should be consulted
before beginning the report.
u Once the report is completed, it is a good idea to
have a thesis formatter/editor check for style and
grammar.
u Computerized programs have made research reports
easier to complete, due to self-correcting programs.
Submitting a research proposal for grant application?
u Guidelines for FRGS submission
Sample of research proposal

u Sample 1
u Sample 2
Research Grants Information

Browse at http://www.mohe.gov.my/en/initiatives-2/187-program-
utama/penyelidikan/548-research-grants-information for more
informations
THE END