Project Study/Research Proposal Guides

Chapter I-Problem Setting

This chapter introduces your panel and other readers to the area being investigated in your research. This
tells the reader how the problem is delineated. As standard practice in the department, this chapter is
composed of the following sections:
1.1. Background of the Study
You have to come up with a document that has an impact upon the reader: write clearly
and well structured so that your message gets across easily. In order to draw the researcher's
attention upon your paper, write this section with impact, and that leads to the formulation of your
hypothesis.
The first paragraph accounts a brief historical background how your study was developed
and tells the reader why your research will conducted. Start by describing only past researches and
theoretical issues that are related to your study. Exhaustive review is not necessary but rather state
explicitly how the previous work is logically connected to your problem.
The second paragraph tells the reader what to expect in your study. This will supply
sufficient background information to allow the reader to understand and evaluate the results of the
present study without needing to refer to the previous publications on the topic. Start by capturing
the essence of the problem and end by highlighting the finding how the problem was addressed in
the study.
1.2. Statement of the Problem
The problem is the axial center around which the whole research effort turns. This section
presents how serious is the problem that it needs to be addressed. To demonstrate the problem with
unwavering clarity, it must be supported with quantification of carefully identified parameter using
actual data gathered. In doing so, the section offers an evidence of a researchable problem and gives
an explicit indication of interpretation of data, which is a primary requirement of research.
Notice the formulation of a problem statement that is carefully phrased and represents the
single goal of the total research effort:
“Recently, the rate of waste generation per person in kg/day in the National Capital Region
is 0.60. With about 15M total population of NCR, the waste generated per day is about 3,000 tons
(MMDA, 2007). Material recovery is about 10% of the waste generated and collection rate is only
70%. Therefore, the uncollected waste per day accounts to 810 tons.”
1.2.1. Statement of the Objectives
This section should follow right after the problem statement. In fact, this is a subsection of
the problem statement. The main objective is the goal or aim of your research which you want to
achieve. It gives a target to aim to, therefore all actions and efforts will be focused on attaining the
objective instead of being inefficiently used. It gives the researcher a sense of direction, a glimpse
of where he is going to. It offers the support in evaluating the success of an action or project.
It is in this part that you are going to articulate the problem and the researchable problem
must indicate that, for resolution of that problem, critical thinking on the part of the researcher will
 be required. Your main problem should be so clearly stated that anyone anywhere in the world
(who reads English) could read it, understand it, and react to it without the benefit of your presence.
The statement of your objective should follow the SMART rule (Specific, Measurable, Attainable,
Relevant or Result-oriented and Time-bounded).
1.3. Conceptual and Theoretical Framework of the Study

A concept is an image or symbolic representation of an abstract idea. Chinn and Kramer

(1999) define a concept as a “complex mental formulation of experience”. Concepts are the major
components of theory and convey the abstract ideas within a theory”. A theory is a set of concepts,
which structure a systematic view of phenomena for the purpose of explaining or predicting. A
theory is like a blueprint, a guide for modeling a structure. A blueprint depicts the elements of a
structure and the relation of each element to the other, just as a theory depicts the concepts, which
compose it and the relation of concepts with each other.

A framework is simply the structure of the idea or concept and how it is put together.
Theoretical framework refers to the process of designing intervention by using principles that are
grounded in theory. It is a collection of interrelated concepts, like a theory but not necessarily so
well worked-out. It is needed in practically all kinds of study to combine individual indicators into
a meaningful composite and to provide a basis for the selection of components. It guides your
research, determining what things you will measure, and what statistical relationships you will look
for. Since it refers to a process, it is best to present it in a diagram.

Use conceptual framework if it is a structure of concepts and/or theories which are pulled
together as a map for the study and use theoretical framework if it is structure of concepts which
exists in the literature, a ready-made map for the study.
Tips:

1. Discuss each part in relation to the concept utilized in the study.

2. If equations are involved in the theory, discuss what variable represents the dependent and
independent variables.
3. For empirical equations discuss how coefficients are adapted to the study.
4. For studies involving experiments, discuss the experimental setup, i.e. the scale model, the
instrument to be fabricated, design mix for materials testing, etc.
5. Show the derivation of a model equation.
6. In modeling, discuss the theory behind the model and how it is adopted in the study; e.g., the
system diagram, causal-loop diagram and the stock flow diagram.

1.4. Scope, Limitations and Delimitations of the Study

The scope defines the full disclosure which your research effort has been done: range or
extent, data, methods and analysis, period or time which data were collected, etc. For example, “the
study considers mass transport system only or it considers both private cars and buses …; it
considers the secondary data from 1995 to present …; it considers the main river and its tributaries
 …; it considers residential areas only …, it considers four-storey buildings only …, it considers
triple A construction only …, etc. The square in the following figure represents the boundaries of
your problem area.
The limitation of the study defines the limiting factors that need to be taken into account
in your study and its contribution. This further trims down the scope to farther focus your study.
The circle in the following figure (inside the box) represents the set of limitations within the scope.
For example: “The limitation of this study is the perspective adopted. Instead of trying to
understand the process of executing the contract in construction industry, this study has been first
and foremost limited to the contractor organization’s perspective. Although the study has also taken
into account other views along the theoretical analysis, the main perspective from which
conclusions are drawn is that of the contractor’s side..”

If in the scope and limitation of the study you accounted what you done in your research,
in the delimitation you have to account what you did not cover in the study. State your reasons of
excluding the aspects because these might have implications to your analysis and conclusions,
although the effects have little significance. In the figure, delimitation is the area within the square
but outside the circle.
1.5. Significance of the Study
In writing this section, set forth the reasons for undertaking your study. Remember to
consider the relevance and contribution of your study in line with the social dimension of what can
it do along the countryside issues and concerns. The ultimate guide question in this section is, “Who
will benefit your study?” Answer this question to manifest the practical value of your study.

1.6. Management of Multidisciplinary Environments of the Study

Discuss briefly in this section how the different specialization and disciplines will help in the
input/s of the study. Start with your main program (your course, e.g. Civil Engineering Discipline) and
discuss what are the areas of the study that will need the concepts and methodologies of the other
disciplines.

1.7. Operational Definition of Terms

 Define operatively only those terms which you use in the study and which you slightly
deviate from its meaning. Operational definition must interpret the term as it is employed in relation
to your study and in the context of the problem in your study. In defining the term, do not use
cyclical definition or the definition offered by Webster. Follow the following format: term + genera
+ differentia. The genera is the general class to which the term being defined belongs. The
differentia is the specific characteristics or traits that distinguish the term being defined from all
other members of the general classification.

Chapter II- Research Design and Methodology

Again, tell the reader what to expect in this chapter. This chapter is about research planning which consists
of the research methods used in the study, the corresponding research design and the summary of the
procedure.
2.1. Research Method
Engineering research commonly makes use of any of the following methodologies:
1. Historical Method
2. Descriptive Survey Method
3. Analytical Survey Method
4. Experimental Method
2.2. Research Design
Research design is the visualization of data and the problems associated with the
employment of those data in the entire research project; the complete strategy of attack upon the
central research problem. Here are four fundamental questions that must be resolved in writing the
research design:
2.2.2 Population and Locale of the Study
2.2.3. Data Gathering Tools
2.2.4. Treatment of Data
2.3. Summary of Procedure
It is advisable to present the different steps of activity you have taken by means of a flow
chart. Describe each step briefly and concisely.

Chapter 3- Review of Related Literature

Introduce the chapter what the reader can expect. Literature review is spread over two sections:
Review of Local Scientific Papers and Review of International Scientific Papers. A critical review should
show that the researchers have studied the existing works in the field with insight. The primary sources of
your review consists are the refereed academic research journals, refereed conferences, dissertations and
theses, reports and occasional papers and government publications. Secondary sources such textbooks, trade
journals, newspapers, magazines including dictionaries, encyclopedias and handbooks are not usually
included in the write up.
Bill of Materials
Chronogram of Proposed Activities (Activity Plan and Schedule of Outputs APSO)

Faculty Research Promoter: ______________________________________________________

Project Title: __________________________________________________________________

A. ACTIVITY PLAN GANNT CHART

Activity Month
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
A. Finalization of research project title x
B. Preparation of research proposal
1. Literature review x
2. Writing introduction (with problem, objective/s, research x
questions, significance, etc.)
3. Writing methods section (with identified research design, methods x
and data-gathering techniques, target participants, etc.)
4. Preparing data gathering instruments (questionnaire, FGD guide, x
KI interview guide, etc.)
5. Pre-testing of data gathering instruments x
6. Writing communications to participants, offices, etc. x
C. Gathering of data
1 Collection of data x x
2 Organizing data x
D. Processing of data
1 Statistical analysis, qualitative analysis, etc. x
2 Writing down results x x
E. Preparation of final report/output
1 Writing manuscript x
2 Editing x

B. SCHEDULE OF OUTPUTS

Activity Output to be submitted Deadline

A. Finalization of research project title Research project title Aug 31
B. Preparation of research proposal
- Literature review Literature review Sept 30
- Introduction Introduction Oct 31
- Methods Methods Nov 30
 - Data gathering instruments Data gathering instruments Nov 30
- Communications to participants, offices Dec 31
C. Gathering of data Report on data collected Feb 28
D. Processing of data Report on processed data Apr 30
E. Preparation of final manuscript Publishable manuscript May 15
F. Sending manuscript for publication in a refereed
journal (optional)

Note: This is a general sample. Some modifications may be done according to the specifics of the
research project.

Discussion of Roles and Responsibilities

Roles and Responsibilities

Research Title:
Research Promoter:
Name Role in This Project Role Description

Appendices
Bibliography (APA FORMAT)