UNIT IV

The Research Proposal

Prof. Noel K. Torreta
In industry, a proposal is a written response to a request to have a work performed.
The requesting company sends out requests for proposals to a list of companies qualified to
perform the type of work needed. This module does not tell you everything you know about
writing proposals for big businesses. Instead, this module focuses on a practical writing
project in which you write a proposal for a major research paper or report you need to do to
complete your academic program.

Objectives:

After studying this lesson, you should be able to:

1. differentiate a research proposal from a research report;
2. recognize the different parts of a research proposal;
3. observe some general guidelines in preparing the different parts of a research
proposal; and
4. write a research proposal.

What is a research proposal?

A research proposal is a written offer to solve a problem in a particular way under a specified
plan or management for a certain sum of money. It is a formal plan of solution to a problem.

What is a research report?

A research report is a written account or record of facts (procedures, findings) about and, at
times, recommendations on a subject designed to meet a specific need.

Here are some guidelines in preparing the different sections of a research proposal:

I. Introduction

A. Function

The purpose of this section is to supply sufficient background information to allow the reader
to understand and evaluate the results of the present study without needing to refer to
previous publication on the topic. This presents an understandable view of the research
problem.

B. Content

This section contains the following:

Research problem
Subject of the study—general area to which the research problem belongs
Background—general information concerning the research problem; usually has
something to do with an observed problem; information to put the problem in its
proper perspective (principles, theories, processes, concepts relevant to the study)

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 General purpose—what the research paper hopes to accomplish/accomplished as a
justification for conducting the study
Scope—extent to which the problem will be/was worked on
Importance/significance—how the research results will be used; values that may be
obtained from the research; contributions (practical or otherwise) that the research
results may have

C. Treatment

The basic principles of developing an expository composition are applied

Use of expository techniques such as definition, comparison and contrast,

description, and explanation, etc.
Use of appropriate orders of presentation such as: logical, chronological, topical,
cause to effect.
Use of appropriate tense and voices.
Explicit presentation of the problem of the proposed study/report.

Example:

This proposed study will explore/explored the prospect of controlling Erwinia carotova var.
chrysanthemi, the casual organism of the bacterial stalk rot of corn, using antibiotic
Streptomyces spp.

D. Suggested Rules

1. It should present first, with all possible clarity, the nature and scope of the problem
investigated.
2. It should review the pertinent literature to orient the reader.
3. It should state the method of the investigation. If deemed necessary, the reasons for
the choice of a particular method should be stated.
4. It should state the principal results of the investigation.
5. It should state the principal conclusion(s) suggested by the results.

II. Materials and Methods

A. Function

The purpose of this section is to present the materials and the steps to be followed/ that were
followed in conducting the research; shows the soundness, appropriateness of the materials
and methods to meet the research objectives.

B. Content

Research method/s, designs, treatment/s, technique/s, number of replications

Materials—experimental animals, plants, solutions, chemicals, etc.
Instruments and equipment—test tubes, beakers, etc.
Step-by-step procedure
Statistical analysis

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 Population, sample size, sampling techniques
Operational definition of terms
Respondents
Instruments—questionnaire, interview guide, interview schedule
Data to be gathered/ that were gathered
Sources of information
Exclusive to the RP: detailed schedule of activities
Exclusive to the RR: problems encountered and modifications, if any, made in the
original plan

C. Treatment

May be presented in a numbered list form (often used in the RP); in paragraph
form (often used in the RR); or combination
For the RR, presentation uses indicative mood, passive voice, past tense
Smaller, subordinate processes need not be described

“The length of the estrous cycle during pre-treatment and treatment periods will be observed
following vaginal smear techniques of Long and Evans (1922).”

Should be replicable

III. Results and Discussion

This section corresponds to the analysis and interpretation of steps of the research process.

A. Functions

Results
Presents organized data
o Shows some generalizations concerning data
o Gives emphasis to the highest and lowest data

Discussion
Links findings to show their relation to one another
Provides explanations for the different expected or unexpected findings

B. Content

Findings and explanations

At times, part/s or the M and M
Relationships among data (trends/ patterns; quantitative information; causes;
effects)

C. Treatment

May be presented together in one section or as two different sections

Often makes use of tabular and graphic presentation
Statements of analysis and interpretation go with the data presented

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 Focus on the use of “may be due to” or “seem to” in presenting interpretations
Use of expository techniques

IV. Summary and Conclusion

A. Functions

Summary
Presents highlights of the research

Conclusion
Presents the answer/s to the objective/s
Shows which hypothesis/es is/are accepted or rejected

B. Content

Highlights and conclusions

C. Treatment

Usually presented as one section

Use of past and present tenses

V. Implications

A. Functions

Relates research results to what is currently known in the research area

Recommends solutions to identified problems based on the research findings
Recommends possible areas for future research endeavors

B. Content

Discussion of research findings

Recommendations

C. Treatment

Use of expository techniques

Use of past and present tenses
Recommendations may just be listed or discussed

IV. Title

A. Function

Identifies research being proposed or reported

B. Content

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 Research problem

C. Treatment

Neither too long nor too short

Neither too general nor too specific
o Gibeberellic acid and rice
o Effects of gibeberellic acid on rice
o Effects of gibberellic acid on character A, character B, character C, character
D, and character E of rice
o Effects of gibberelic acid on some agronomic characters of rice
A two-part title may be used instead of a long title
o Instead of: The modification and evaluation of the Thailand-designated
manually operated peanut shellers
o Use: Thailand designed manually operated peanut shellers: their modification
and evaluation
Meaningless and overworked phrases should be avoided
o A proposal on…
o A report on…
o An investigation of…
o An analysis of…
o A study of…
o A discussion of…
Vagueness should be avoided
o From: a method for measuring porosity coefficients
o To: measurements of porosity coefficients by the shallow-bore method

o From: system for improving computer reliability

o To: preventive maintenance: an aid to computer reliability
Must contain no word, concept, or idea not covered in the text
Research method may be reflected in the title
o The Ideal Puto Seco Factory: a case study
o A survey of jobs held by UPLB BS math graduates
o The effect of long storage on the germination of K. bangkal seeds
o Isolation and identification of the antibiotic producing bacillus from the soil

VII. Budgetary Requirements

A. Function

Presents a comprehensive, clear, easily understood estimates of the costs of the

research

B. Content

Financial requirements of the research

Personal

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Salaries of full-time staff (research assistants, laboratory aides, technicians, interviewers,
typists, etc.)
Honoraria/ stipends and/or allowances of part-time staff (project leader, coordinator, senior
researcher, graduate students, etc.)

Operating and maintenance expenses

Supplies and materials—kind and quantity
Equipment/instruments—kind and quantity
Travel—mode, tentative places to be visited, number and kinds (observational conference,
inspection, interview, arrangement) of trips, purpose and number of people; approximate
dates
Sundry—miscellaneous, undetermined expenses

Capital outlay—huge expenditure for items which are more or less permanent
Contingency—allotment for unexpected expenses

C. Treatment

Outline form
Columnar entries for total and subtotals
Clear at one glance how much each item costs

References:

Alcantara, RD. and Espina, FP. 1995. Technical Writing for Filipino Students. Quezon City:
Katha Publishing co., Inc.

Bautista, OK., Bondad, ND. 1997. Technical Writing for Beginners (guide to writing thesis
dissertation, research report, and journal article). UPLB, College, Laguna.

Day, R. 1995. How to Write a Scientific Paper. New York: Cambridge University Press.

Librero, F. 1996. How to Write a Thesis Proposal, Some Practical Guidelines. College,
Laguna: College of Agriculture, Publications Program.

Maslog, CC., Colet-Villadolid, A. 1992. Science and Science Writing. Philippine Press, Inc.

Mills, JH., Walter, JA. 1990. Technical Writing. Quezon City: JMC Press, Inc.

Nem Sings, RP. And Calixihan, JO. 1994. Fundamentals of Technical Writing. Metro
Manila: National Bookstore Inc.

Samson, DC. 1993. Editing Technical Writing. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Some Notes on the Research Proposal and the Report (English 10 Handout)