WRITING A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Christian Akrong Hesse (PhD)

 Outline of Presentation
o Definition of a Research Proposal
o The Need for a Research Proposal
o Structure of a Research Proposal
o Guidelines for Writing a Good Research
Proposal
WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROPOSAL?
A research proposal “is a document that
outlines how you propose to undertake your
research studies” (Mouton 2001:44).
It outlines:
– what you will research (i.e. the problem); and
– how you will research it (i.e. the plan).
– Why the topic needs to be studied (significance);
– When you will complete this work (timeline); and
– (Occasionally) Where you will conduct this work.
COMPONENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
• No single format; different disciplines, donor
organizations and academic institutions may have
different formats and requirements
• BUT, the key components may include:
―Introduction,
―Background and significance
―Literature search
―Description of the methodology
―Preliminary suppositions and implications
―Conclusion
―Citations and references
SUGGESTED OUTLINE FOR A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
1. Cover page which provides the 8. Rational/Justification/Releva
proposed topic, details of the nce of the Study
candidate
2. Abstract 9. Brief Literature Survey or
3. Table of contents review
4. Background of the Study/Introduction 10. Methodology
5. Problem Statement
11. Organisation of the Study
6. Research Questions and/Hypotheses
7. Research Objectives 12. Time scale

13. References
SUGGESTED OUTLINE FOR A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
• Provides the
proposed topic,
details of the
candidate,
institution, date
etc.
 ABSTRACT
• Provides a brief (100-350 word) overview of
the proposal
• Summarizes important elements:
– Introduction/Background of the Study;
– Statement of the Problem;
– Research Questions or Hypotheses; and
– Methods and Procedures.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
BACKGROUND OR INTRODUCTION
• Establish the general territory (real world or
research)
• Describe the broad foundations of your
study—provide sufficient background for
readers
• Indicate the general scope of your project
• Engage the readers
 PROBLEME STATEMENT
• Answer the question: “What is the gap that
needs to be filled?” and/or “What is the
problem that needs to be solved?”
• State the problem clearly early in a paragraph
• Limit the variables you address in stating your
problem or question
• Consider framing the problem as a question
 PROBLEME STATEMENT
• When moving from the
more general research
topic to a research
problem, a more
specific question is
addressed.
• Knowledge gap
 RESEARCH QUESTION(S)
• Research questions guide research projects
• Without a guiding research question:
– Empirical studies would be mere reports of
observations, at best entertaining to read but:
• More likely amounting to a disorganized set of field
notes or a hot mess of aimless numbers
FORMULATING RESEARCH QUESTION(S)
Formulating A Research Question And Its Associated
Hypotheses—dos And Don’ts

• Research questions Must Be Specific And Falsifiable

• Research questions Focus On Behavioral Outcomes
– Defining Your Unit Of Analysis
– Avoiding Reductionism
– Variables
– Hypothesis
 RESEARCH HYPOTHESES
• Research hypotheses are declarative
statements/claims or assumptions about the
tentative solution of the research.
• These claims/assumptions are derived from
personal experience, review of the related
literature, consultations/focused interviews
with the experts / professionals or
combination of all.
 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
This is a very important and pivotal
• The objective(s) of the proposed study should be
specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and
time-bound
• Too many objectives should be avoided; even just
one clearly stated relevant objective would be
good enough
• If there is more than one objective, the objectives
should be presented as general (main) and
specific (sub-objectives) and in the appropriate
order of importance
 LITERATURE REVIEW
• The literature review is a critical and evaluative
account of what has been published on a chosen
research topic.
• It describes and analyses the knowledge that
exists and what gaps occur in the research area.
• It should reveal similarities and differences,
consistencies and inconsistencies and
controversies in literature.
• It should cover: Theoretical, Empirical and
Conceptual
 METHODOLOGY
“The methods or procedures section is really the heart of
the research proposal. The activities should be described
with as much detail as possible, and the continuity
between them should be apparent” (Wiersma, 1995,
p.409). It should cover:
• Research Design
• Research approach
• Sources of data
• Population, sample size and sampling
• Data collection and Instrumentation
• Analytical technique(s)
 TIME FRAME OR WORKPLAN
The proposal should include the sequence of tasks
to be performed, the anticipated length of time
required for its completion and the personnel
required.
• It can be presented in tabular or graphic form
(Gantt chart)
• Flow charts and other diagrams are often useful
for highlighting the sequencing and
interrelationship of different activities in the
study
GANTT CHART
 REFERENCES
Use APA Referencing style
• In-text referencing
• Reference list

This will be discussed in a later session.

 GUIDELINES TO WRITING A GOOD
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
• Structure your work in advance
• Know what you want to say before trying to write
it
• Each sentence must follow logically from the one
before. A well written text is a "chain of ideas".
• keep your reader's needs in mind. This means
providing a "verbal map" of your document so
that your reader knows what to expect, and
placing "verbal signposts" in your text to explain
what is coming next.
‘DOS’ OF WRITING A GOOD RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
• produce an original proposal/project that is
➢Interesting and captivating
➢Informative
• write in a way that is easy to read and
understand
• use clear headings and sub-headings
‘DOS’ OF WRITING A GOOD RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
• construct clear and logical arguments
• check your spelling and grammar
• reference your work fully using an acceptable
format
‘DON’TS’ OF WRITING A GOOD RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
– Don’t use words when you are not absolutely
certain of their meaning
– Don’t use difficult words to impress your
reader
– Don’t use overly simplistic language
– Don’t repeat yourself
– Don’t digress
UPSA MBA Project Work outline
 Project Work Outline
• Preliminary pages (declaration, dedication,
acknowledgements, executive summary and table of
contents)
• Chapter one: Introduction
• Chapter two: Project Execution and Experience
• Chapter three: Application of theories to real life
situation
• Chapter four: Lessons Learnt and Challenges
• Chapter Five: Conclusion and Recommendations
• References
• Appendix (ces)
 Project Work Outline
• MBA Project outline