Honours Research

Research Findings Marks

Hosted by the Postgraduate Research Department

SESSION 2: Proposal Construction and the Bare Necessities

Proposal template breakdown | Ms Katlego and Ms Nompilo

Microsoft word formatting | Ms Melissa and Ms Minenhle

Soft skills: Effective communication | Ms Eleanor

RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING
HONOURS
 WHAT IS A PROPOSAL?

A proposal is defined as a written plan that provides a detailed description of the proposed
programme (Kabir, 2016).

In research, a proposal is an outline of the entire research process that gives the reader a
summary of the proposed study (Kabir, 2016).

A research proposal should cover:

What the The need for Location of Proposed impact Data collection
Style of report
study is about the study the study of the study and analysis
 BASIC REQUIREMENT

The proposal should not exceed 20 pages (excluding appendices and

bibliography).

The initial pages should be numbered in Roman numerals, page one begins
in the Introduction. This is a YouTube link on how to include Roman
numerals and page numbers in a word page
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6hzz2hKZv74

The font size should be 12 throughout the proposal.

The font style should be either Arial or Times New Roman.

The line spacing should be 1.5 throughout the proposal.

 BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Main headings should be in CAPITAL LETTERS and bold.

Headings such as TABLE OF CONTENTS should not be numbered.

Abbreviations such as etc., e.g., should not be used.

Use future tense because the study has not been conducted yet, for instance, the study
will adopt a qualitative research methodology.

Avoid writing as a first person or using words such as I, we, us – rather say, the study
will….

Avoid using words such as it, this, these.

 INTRODUCTION OF THE PROPOSAL

The introduction of the proposal should consist of the following:

- Introduction and background to the research problem

- Research problem

- Aim of the study

- Research objectives

- Research questions

- Significance of the study

 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND TO THE RESEARCH
PROBLEM

This should be short and concise (approximately 35 lines long).

The background to the problem should emphasize the general context of the problem and from
where the problem stems.

This can be done through using existing studies and/or literature of the problem that the study
is trying to address.

For example, if you are conducting a study on absenteeism, you may include existing knowledge
on the issue of absenteeism and how it may be affecting organizations (taking into consideration
the context of your study).
 RESEARCH PROBLEM

The research problem should flow from the background.

State the exact problem that the organization is facing.

Try and be specific as to how the problem being studied is affecting the
organization.

Describe what needs to be solved and explore the most significant issues
that require exploration.

The research problem should be approximately 10 to 12 line.

 AIM OF THE STUDY
The aim of the study should be derived from the topic of the study.

It refers to the desired outcomes and/or general intentions of the study.

The aim must be clear, unambiguous and concise.

The aim should consist of three part: what is being studied, how is it being studied and why is it being
studied.

For the example: The aim of the study is to investigate the impact of absenteeism on organizational
performance at XYZ Logistics, KZN region. The study will employ a qualitative research methodology. In
addition, the study will proffer recommendations on the issue of absenteeism within the organization.
 RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The objectives of the study use specific statements which define measurable
outcomes.

Objectives are presented as brief statements, one sentence each.

The study should consist of three objectives.

The objectives should include the name of the organization and region where the
study will be conducted.

You must have one objective which focuses on the recommendations the study
seeks to make.

Use bullet points to list your objectives.

 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

Convert your research objectives into a direct questions.

This means that you must have three research questions when you have three research
objectives.
 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The significance of the study should cover why and to whom is it important to conduct the study.

It is important to ensure that it is clear who the study will benefit and how will they benefit from the
study.

The significance of the study should address the problem specific to the case or context.

State how the study will add value to the existing body of knowledge in the study area.
 LITERATURE REVIEW
The literature review is a critical analysis, evaluating existing knowledge relevant to
your research problem.

The literature review should be approximately 5 to 7 pages long.

Concepts discussed within the literature review should be aligned with the research
objectives.

The literature review needs to flow and work towards the problem and
methodological consideration.

There should be at least 20 in-text references from different sources. At least 15

literature sources reviewed should be on the area of study and at least 5 of these
sources should be from academic journals.
 LITERATURE REVIEW

Sources should be recent and not older than 5 years, unless the study is under
explored and there is limited literature in the study area.

State the theory that will guide the study – this must be applicable to your study.

Define the theory and highlight how it is applicable to the study.

 STRUCTURE OF RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
1. Research Approach

2. Research Philosophy

3. Research Strategy

4. Research Design

5. Research Methodology:
 Target Population and Sampling
 Data Collection
 Data Analysis

6. Pilot Study

7. Reliability and Validity / Trustworthiness and Credibility, Dependability

 Deductive research is
consistent with quantitative
research
it relies on the collection of
quantitative data (i.e., numerical
data), an examination of
relationships between variables.
Inductive research is consistent
with qualitative research
RESEARCH
METHOD/ it aims to gain an understanding of
events that humans attach meaning to
APPROACH and a close understanding of the
research context.
 WHAT IS RESEARCH PHILOSOPHY?
The term ‘Research Philosophy’ refers to a system of beliefs and assumptions about
the development of knowledge in a particular field of study. In order to accurately
select the correct research philosophy for your study you must begin by selecting the
appropriate research method (quantitative or qualitative) and explain the reasons for
this choice.

Positivism (Quantitative) Interpretivism (Qualitative)

• Relates to the philosophical stance of • Emphasizes that humans are different

the natural scientist and entails
working with an observable social
reality to produce law-like
generalisations which is particularly
used in quantitative research
from physical phenomena because
they create socially constructed
meanings which is used in qualitative
research.
 RESEARCH STRATEGY

Positivist (quantitative)
Research Strategy

 Survey Interpretivist (qualitative)

Research Strategy

 Interviews
 Focus groups
 Case study
 Grounded theory (less common)
RESEARCH DESIGN
Sampling Methodology
Target population is an entire set of people from which you want to collect data. You are required to
define the population which you are targeting, for example, all employees in a company. Usually,
the population is too large for the researcher to attempt to survey all of its members.

Sample is a group of people that are taken from the target population for measurement
• Quantitative research method uses probability sampling technique
• Qualitative research method uses non-probability sampling technique
 DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS
• Data collection instruments refers to the tools or devices that a research will use in order to obtain
the data/information from the participants in the sample.

• The chosen procedure and instrument will depend on the type of study you are conducting, that is,
a quantitative or qualitative study.

• The research instrument that will be used should be indicated and described. These would include
a survey questionnaire (quantitative study) or an interview schedule (qualitative study).

• You must describe the procedures that will be used, for example, population survey, interviews,
observation, etcetera.

• If the Quantitative instrument is already established, you should provide information about its
reliability and validity (if available) or indicate how these criteria will be tested in the study.
 DATA ANALYSIS
Data analysis refers to the technique to be used by the researcher to evaluate and organise the data
that has been collected in order to extract logical information in accordance with the proposed
objectives.

FOR QUANTITATIVE FOR QUALITATIVE

Discuss descriptive and inferential Specify and discuss which data analysis
statistics technique will be used, for example, content
Indicate if you will be using Statistical analysis; thematic analysis; and so on
Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS)/
Provide a justification for the choice
Microsoft/Excel
When incorporating inferential statistics, the
specific tests and measures that will be
applied to analyze the raw data must be
referred to
Provide a justification for the choice
 PILOT STUDY
The pilot study can be defined as a smaller version of a larger study that is conducted to prepare the
researcher for the main study. The purpose of the pilot study is:
• To assess the relevance and accuracy of the data collection methods to be used

• Collect data on which the actual sample size will be based: Quantitative sample size is 10 or more;
Qualitative sample size is 1 or 2.

• Do not use the same people who will be a part of the main study sample

• Ensure that the intended methods to be used are feasible and will yield the data required

• Ensure that it elicits the right types and level of data needed to answer your research questions.

• Ensure that you are collecting the right data - and helps to assess the reliability by determining if there is
any ambiguous questions that do not make sense (this applies to QL/QN)
 Reliability, Validity &
Trustworthiness

FOR QUANTITATIVE FOR QUALITATIVE

RELIABILITY VALIDITY TRUSTWORTHINESS

-Test-retest reliability -Construct validity - Credibility
-Interrater reliability -Content validity -Dependability
-Parallel forms reliability -Face validity -Conformability
-Internal consistency -Criterion validity -Transferability
 RESEARCH ETHICS: KEY CONSIDERATIONS

Provide a discussion on the following ethical considerations, citing relevant sources:

• Ensuring that permission is obtained;

• Ensuring participants have given informed consent;

• Ensuring no harm comes to participants; and

• Ensuring confidentiality and anonymity

 PROPOSED TIMETABLE

• The proposed timetable is an indication of the various important steps in the research process
and the dates by which you intend on completing them.

• State exactly when the research will begin and when it will end.

• Describe any special procedures that will be followed (for example, instructions that will be read
to participants, presentation of an informed consent form, etcetera)
The Bibliography concludes the proposal.
You should include only those authors/sources that you have used in the proposal, including books,
journals, newspaper articles, government gazettes. A correctly drafted Bibliography is a minimum
requirement for acceptance of the study.

For more information on how to reference and format the bibliography please refer to the
MANCOSA Referencing Guide- Harvard style
• Appendix A: Letter of Permission to Conduct the Study

• Appendix B: Draft Covering Letter

• Appendix C: Draft Questionnaire / Interview Schedule

• Appendix D: Ethical Clearance Checklist

Formatting guide for
Microsoft Word
Inserting a cover page

• 1. Click "Insert" in the Word ribbon.

• 2. Click "Cover Page" in the Pages group to open a drop-down
menu.
• 3. Click a template from the menu to insert a cover page. Templates
include Conservative, which contains no images but includes fields for
the document's title, subtitle and abstract, and Perspective, which
positions the title and an angled photo over a coloured sheet. Other
templates include background images, tiles and borders.
Separating sections with breaks
To insert a manual page break:
1. 1. Click into the document at the place you want the page break to
occur, before an automatic break.
2. 2. Press the ‘Ctrl’ + ‘Enter’ keys on your keyboard.
3. 3. Alternatively, click the ‘Layout’ tab in the Ribbon and click the
‘Breaks’ drop-down option under the ‘Page Setup’ section.
4. 4. Then choose the ‘Page’ option from the drop-down menu.
• 5. To delete page breaks
• 6. Click into the dotted line containing the term ‘Page Break’ and
press the ‘Delete’ key on your keyboard
Section Breaks
In Microsoft Word, section breaks allow you to differentiate certain
pages with changes in orientation, columns, headers, footers, page
numbers, and more. Section breaks come in four forms:
Next Page: Start the next section on the following page.
Continuous: Start the next section on the current page.
Even Page: Start the next section on the next even page.
Odd Page: Start the next section on the next even page
To insert a section break that creates a new section in your document
• Then choose one of the following options from the ‘Section Breaks’
drop-down.
• Next Page – will insert a page break and create two separate sections
of the document.
• Continuous – will inset a break but continue the next section on the
same page.
• Odd Page or Even Page – will place a section break and then continue
the next section on the next odd or even numbered page.
• To delete section breaks you have added to your document you can
select the undo option at the top right corner of your screen.
Inserting a Table of contents

• Using a table of contents in your document makes it easier for the

reader to navigate. You can generate a table of contents in Word from
the headings used in your document.
• Using a table of contents can direct the reader to exactly where they
need to be
• In addition to making the document more reader-friendly, a table of
contents also makes it easier for the author to go back and add or
remove content if necessary.
Adding a Table of Contents
• By default, Word generates a table of contents using the first three
built-in heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, and Heading
• To apply heading styles select the particular style from the ‘Home’
tab. Each level represents a heading style in your document.
Therefore, if you use the automatic table and you want sub-levels in
your table of contents, you will need to use heading one for level 1,
heading two for level 2, and heading three for level 3.
If you want your table of contents to go deeper
than the top three heading styles, you can do that,
too
• 1. Go to the ‘References’ tab and click on the ‘Table of Contents’
drop down menu
• 2. On the dropdown menu when you click the ‘Table of Contents’
button, choose the ‘Custom Table of Contents’ option.
• 3. In the Table of Contents window that opens, click the ‘Options’
button.
• 4. In the Table of Contents Options window, next to each available
style you want to use (these are Word’s built-in styles starting with
Heading 4), type the table of contents level you wish to use.
• 5. Click “OK” when you’re done.
• You can manage applying your headings in two different ways. You can apply the heading styles to
each section after either you have finished the document, or you can add them as you go.
• Once you have applied your heading styles, it is time to insert your table of contents.

1. Insert a section break (Ctrl + Shift + Enter) where the Table of Contents needs to be so that it
appears on its own page.

2. Click the ‘References’ tab. In the Table of Contents section, click ‘Table of contents’.

3. Choose the style of table of contents you wish to insert.

 Automatic Table 1 creates a table of contents titled Contents.

 Automatic Table 2 creates a Table of Contents titled Table of Contents.

• If you chose the ‘Manual Table’ option from the ‘Table of Contents’ drop-down menu, then it will
insert a template for you that you will need to edit yourself
Updating the Table of Contents

• If you ever need to add or remove a section from your document, you
can easily update the table of contents to reflect those changes. To
update your table of contents, select it, click ‘Update Table’ on the
pop-up menu that appears, and then choose whether you want to
update only the page numbers or the entire table. Click “OK” to apply
the changes.
Removing the Table of Contents

• Removing the table of contents is simple. All you need to do is select

it and then click the arrow on the menu that appears.
• At the bottom of the drop-down menu, select ‘Remove Table of
Contents’.
• Your table of contents will now be removed from your document.
Inserting page numbers

• Click on the ‘Insert’ tab and then click the ‘Page Number’ button in the
‘Header & Footer’ section.
• A drop-down menu shows several different options for where you’d like the
page numbers to appear— choose bottom of the page. The last few
options let you format your page numbers more precisely or remove page
numbers from your document.
• Hover over the ‘bottom of the page’ option and a page number gallery
appears. Each option in the gallery gives you a general idea of how the
page numbers will look on your page.
• Once you find an option you like, go ahead and click it to have Word
automatically number all the pages of your document in that style.
The header or footer area of your document automatically opens up,
and you can make any addition you like around your new page
numbers.

When you’re ready to get back to your document, you can tap the
‘Close Header & Footer’ button on the Ribbon or double-click
anywhere in your document outside the header or footer area.
How to Make Page Numbering Not Appear on
the Title page
• 1. Open your header or footer section by double-clicking in the
area where your page number would appear
• 2. Word opens a new ‘Design’ tab on the Ribbon in a section named
‘Header & Footer Tools’.
• 3. On that tab, click the ‘Different First Page’ option.
• NB: Note that this option applies to the section of the document
where your insertion point is currently placed. If you only have one
section in your document, selecting the “Different First Page” option
makes the current header and footer disappear from the first page of
your document. You can then type in different information for your
header or footer on the first page if you want.
How to Add Different Numbers and Formats
to Different Sections
Most documents use Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3, etc.) in the main body of
the document and use Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, etc.) for different
sections like the Declaration, Acknowledgements, Abstract, Table of
contents, List of Tables, List of Figures and List of Acronyms. You can set
up your document this way in Word, too
How to Add Different Numbers and Formats
to Different Sections
1. Create different sections in your document for these different parts of
your document. So, for example, if you wanted your table of contents and
introduction to be numbered differently than the main body of your
document, you’d need to create a different section up front to hold those
parts.
2. To create the different sections, place your insertion point right before
the first page of your main content.
3. Switch over to the ‘Layout’ tab on the Ribbon and click the ‘Breaks’
button.
4. In the drop-down menu, click the ‘Next Page’ option. As the description
says, this creates a section break and starts the new section on the next
page.
How to Add Different Numbers and Formats
to Different Sections
• 5. Now that you’ve created the separate section, you can change
the format of the page numbers there.
- The first thing you’ll want to do is break the link between your new
section and the section where the main body of your document
starts.
- To do that, open up the header or footer area in the main section of
your document. On the ‘Design’ tab in the ‘Navigation’ section of the
Ribbon, click the ‘Link to Previous’ option to break the link to the
previous section’s header and footer.
6. Now that you’ve broken the link, you can fix the page
numbering the way you want it. This takes a few steps.
7. Start by opening up the header and footer area of any page in
that preliminary section. You will see that the page numbering
persists from before you created the new section break.
8. Right-click the page number and choose the ‘Format Page
Numbers’ command from the context menu.
How to Add Different Numbers and Formats
to Different Sections
9. In the Page Number Format window, select roman numerals for the section
from the ‘Number Format’ drop-down menu. Click “OK” when you’re done.
How to Add Different Numbers and Formats
to Different Sections
10. Scroll down to the first page in your next section (the one with the main body of your
document). You will see that the page numbering likely does not start at page one. That is
because it maintained the same numbering it had before you created that additional section.

11. Right-click the page number and choose the “Format Page Numbers” command from the
context menu.

12. In the Page Number Format window, select the “Start At” option and then set the box at
the right to “1” to start the section off on page one.
Fixing Broken Page Numbers

1. Start by identifying the sections in your document. The easiest way to do this is to switch over to the “View”
menu on the Ribbon and then click the ‘Draft’ button to enter draft view.

2. In draft view, Word shows you exactly where section breaks occur and what kinds of breaks they are.

3. When you have identified the location of your section breaks, switch back over to the Print Layout view (so
you can see headers and footers easier). This is where you will need to start doing some detective work.

4. Make sure that the sections where you want continuous page numbering have their headers and footers
linked together and that sections where you do not want continuous numbering have that link broken.
TRACK CHANGES
Presented By Melissa geyser
What are Track changes?

• Track changes is an option on Microsoft Office Word that allows you

to comment on text as well as highlight changes made to text, such as
deletion and additions.
• In other words, it is a way for Supervisors and Research Coordinators
to make changes to your document that is easy for you to identify and
consequently modify.
Steps in using Track changes
STEP 1: Enabling track changes

• Enable track changes by going to ‘Review’ at the top of the

document.
STEP 2: Viewing track changes

• Under the ‘Tracking’ section, choose the ‘All Markup’ option. You
should then be able to see all comments and text changes made by
your Research Coordinator or Supervisor
STEP 3: Accepting track changes

• To accept the in-text changes that you deem appropriate in your

document, you first highlight the text and under the ‘Changes’
section, click on ‘Accept’
STEP 4: Rejecting track changes

• To reject in-text changes that you deem inappropriate to the

document, you first highlight the text and under the ‘Changes’
section, click on ‘Reject’
STEP 5: Deleting comments

• Once you have read a comment and have actioned the instruction,
you must delete it from the document. To delete a comment, you first
click on the comment you want to delete, then click on ‘Delete’ under
the ‘Comments’ section