Research Proposal

Introduction & Background

Research Problem
Objective
Research questions
Hypotheses
Justification/Rationale
Significance
Review of literature
Methodology
Limitations
Definitions of Key Terms
Time frame and work schedule/Gantt chart
Bibliography





Introduction and Background

It should help the reader to acquaint with the topic
Introduction should be short about one or two pages
The problem should be stated in such a way that its
importance and relevance is realized by any one who
reads it
How the Idea came to your mind



Statement of the Problem
Brief description of the research topic and its
importance as a research problem.
Research Objectives
Based on the research topic/problem one or
two research objectives
Research Questions
Based on research objective
One objectives may be broken into two or
more research questions
Depicts variables of the study
In higher order thinking skills (HOTS)wh
questions form
Research Hypothesis
Quantitative studies
Appropriate type of RH
Relations or difference between groups or
variables
Justification and Significance
Why is it important to study this topic
How this study will fill the knowledge gap
Who will be the beneficiaries of the results of
the study


Review of Literature
This section reflects extensive review of literature done by the
researcher
In this section what is already known about the topic is written
including the lacunae
Just quoting the literature will not serve the purpose it is
important to make it coherent, relevant and easily readable
knowledge
It helps the researcher to gain good knowledge in that field of
inquiry, methodology, tools and analysis




Limitations of Study
narrowed and focused population due to
some constraints
Research methodology
Research methodology is a way to
systematically solve the research problem.
Study design
Study population / Sampling
specifications
Sample size needed
Instrumentation
Specific procedures
Study design
Definition: A study design is a specific
plan for conducting the study, which
allows the investigator to translate the
conceptual hypothesis into an
operational one.
The study design should be clearly
stated
The study design to be used should be
appropriate for achieving the objective
of the study
Study population & Sample
It is important to describe which would be
the study population
How participants would be selected,
randomization process and other details
should be given
Sample size
It is important to mention in the protocol what
would be the minimum sample required and how
it is arrived
Description of data collection
Proposal should include the details of all
process
to be adopted in the study
A brief description of how the data will be
collected and processed
and use of statistical package if any should be
given
What statistical tests of would be used?


Definitions of key terms
Describe the variables of the study and
important keywords of topic
Time Frame & Work Schedule
The proposal should include the sequence of
tasks to be performed, the anticipated length
of time required for its completion and the
personnel required