Introduction to Research Methods November 2017, Wolaita Soddo

CHAPTER TWO

2. RESEARCH PROPOSAL DEVELOPMENT

Objectives of the Chapter: After the end of this chapter, students should be able to:

 Define the phrase research Proposal

 List the contents of a research proposal
 Identify a research problem and formulate a research question/hypothesis
 Set research objectives/aims
 Write sound limitations and scope of a study
 Prepare a review of the literature related to the topic
 Develop a research design and methods
 Cite references appropriately while writing proposals and research report
 Prepare work and budget plan
 Produce a complete research proposal

Recap ;
Scientific research is performing a methodical study in order to prove a hypothesis or answer a specific
question. Research must be systematic and follow a series of steps and a rigid standard protocol. These
rules are broadly similar but may vary slightly between the different fields of science. Besides, a
scientific research must be organized and undergo planning, including performing literature reviews of
past research and evaluating what questions need to be answered. The first step of scientific research is
preparing a research proposal. Thus, this chapter will introduce you the meaning and elements of research
proposal.

2.1: What is the Research Proposal?

The research proposal is the detailed plan of study. The term "research proposal" indicates that a specific
course of action will be followed while conducting a study. It is a document which sets out your ideas in
an easily accessible way. The intention of the written research proposal is to present a focused and
research problem and plan. The objective of writing a research proposal is to describe:
 what you will do,
 why it should be done,
 how you will do it and
 when/ with what resource you will do it?
Being clear about these things from the beginning will help you complete your research in a timely
fashion. A vague, weak or fuzzy proposal can lead to a long, painful, and often unsuccessful research
writing exercise. A clean, well thought-out, proposal forms the backbone for the research itself. A good
research proposal hinges on a good idea.

Getting a good idea hinges on familiarity with the topic. This assumes a longer preparatory period of
reading, observation, discussion, and incubation. Read everything that you can in your area of interest.
Figure out what are the important and missing parts of our understanding. Figure out how to
build/discover those pieces. Live and breath the topic. Talk about it with anyone who is interested. Then

Page | 1 TRAINING ON RESEARCH METHODS FOR WSU PG STUDENTS By Wondimu Tegegne(PhD)

 Introduction to Research Methods November 2017, Wolaita Soddo
just write the important parts as the proposal. A well-written proposal is half done research. Hence,
proposal should be well written so that its execution will be easy, effective and efficient.

2.2. Components of a Research Proposal

The basic components of a research proposal are the same in many fields. However, how they are
phrased and staged may vary by discipline. The components of a proposal are important and should be
followed for the actual composition of the proposal. Generally, the basic components of a proposal are:

A. PRELIMINARY PAGES B. MAIN BODY/MIDDLE MATTERS C. BACK MATTERS

Chapter 1: Introduction References

A. Title and Title Page A. Background of the Study Appendices
A. Approval Page B. Statement of the Problem

B. Acknowledgement C. Objectives of the Study

C. Table of Contents D. Research Questions/Hypotheses

D. Abbreviations/Acronyms E. Significance of the study

E. Abstract (Optional) F. Scope/Delimitation of the Study

G. Limitations of the Study

H. Definitions of Terms
Chapter 2: Review of the Related
Literature(Can have relevant sections )
Chapter 3: Methodology
A. Research Design
B. Research Setting
C. Participants of the Study
D. Data Gathering Tools
Chapter 4 . Time and Budget break down

A. RESEARCH TITLE
I. A research Title:
Is the topic of a research that represent the overall contents of a research project? It states what is to be
researched. A title should be well studied, and to give a definite and concise indication of what is to
come. The title of your research proposal should state your topic exactly in the smallest possible number
of words. It must be narrow and focused enough to be interesting, yet broad enough to find adequate
information. All words in the title should be chosen with great care, and association with one another
must be careful y managed.

Research topic should be focused, informative and not more than 20 words A good title is defined as the
fewest possible words that adequately describe the contents of the study. Title is not a sentence. It should
be short, precise. Titles should almost never contain abbreviations. The title page has no page number
and it is not counted in any page numbering. The title should be clear, not vague or redundant

Page | 2 TRAINING ON RESEARCH METHODS FOR WSU PG STUDENTS By Wondimu Tegegne(PhD)

 Introduction to Research Methods November 2017, Wolaita Soddo
Characteristics of a Good Research Title
 It must be researchable: The first characteristic of a good project or research topic is that it
must be researchable. Not all topics are researchable. The non-researchability of a topic might stem
from, lack of data ,to the inability to manipulate the selected variables, ethical reasons,
unmanageability of a topic in terms of human capacity, material and finance etc. Hence, for a research
topic to be relevant, the researcher must show that it is research ability in terms of these and other
factors.

 It must be interesting: Most students go into research with the intention of just getting the
project over . This is a very wrong attitude to enter into a careful endeavor like research. A wrong
attitude will inevitably lead to abandoning the research work half way. Hence, it is advised
that the research topic chosen by the student must be interesting to the student first and then to
other people that will read it.

 It must contribute or add to knowledge: Apart from the interest of the researcher, the topic
must be able to add to knowledge. If a research is interesting but does not have
substance, the research will not be good-no need of being engaged with it. Most students tend to
repeat the information that has already been researched on, worse still most enter into an area that
has been over flogged, and hence, there is this inability for the research to contribute anything to
existing knowledge other than what has been there from the outset.

 It must be within the ability of the researcher to carry it out: One interesting observation is that
students tend to engage in projects that they cannot carry out and as a result, abandon them most
times half way. It is advised that the researcher in choosing a research topic must be able to
show flexibility and competence to carry out the research in the allotted time.

II. Title Page

 Is the first page of a research proposal. Title page is crucial to affect the clarity of the research
proposal and the impression of the reader. Hence, it should be well written. This page should not be
paginated/should not be given page numbers. The title page should include the following in elements:

 Title of the proposal

 Name of the proposal writer;
 Name of the advisor;
 Name of the university;
 Month and year of submission

B. APPROVAL PAGE

Page | 3 TRAINING ON RESEARCH METHODS FOR WSU PG STUDENTS By Wondimu Tegegne(PhD)

 Introduction to Research Methods November 2017, Wolaita Soddo
Approval page is of two kind. Approval page for advisor/s at a proposal stage, and approval page for both
advisor/s and examiner/s at the completion of a theses/ a senior essay for final defense. (See sample given
for approval page for research proposal)

C. TABLE OF CONTENTS

The table of contents:

 should capture the major sections and subsections in your proposal and their page numbers.
 should list major sections of the proposal and give the specific page location where each section
begins. See below how sections and subsections are arranged in table of contents.
 llist all major parts and divisions (including the abstract, even though it precedes the table of
contents). Subdivisions usually need not be listed.

D. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This begins on a separate page, should and not exceeding 200 words. This section gives the student
the opportunity to thank his/her advisor/s for their due support in preparing and finalizing his/her proposal
and research theses. Also to express his gratitude to his/her family, friends, and others who have been
helpful in the preparation of the Theses.

E. ABSTRACT
Abstract is the short summary of your research report or proposal, It is generally written last after
finalizing the research. Yet, you can write at the proposal stage, if your advisors recommends to do so. In
any of the cases, abstract should be: concise summary (not exceeding 200 words), single-spaced; not
indented.

B. MAIN BODY OF A PROPOSAL

This comprises the chapters from chapter one:--introduction, to chapter four:-. Time and budget break
down. Each chapter should start on a separate page.

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

The introduction consists of the subtitles of contents outlined here under:

1.1. Background to the Study

The background is the part of the proposal that provides readers with the background information about
the research proposal. Its purpose is to establish a framework for the research, so that readers can
understand how it is related to other research. The background to the study examines the present
developmental efforts in that particular area of research. It also looks at the convergent and
divergent views and advanced made. This provides an introduction to the whole research work.

The background also should address provide sufficient background information to allow the reader to
understand the contexts of the question you are trying to address. It should be focused on the research
Page | 4 TRAINING ON RESEARCH METHODS FOR WSU PG STUDENTS By Wondimu Tegegne(PhD)
 Introduction to Research Methods November 2017, Wolaita Soddo
question(s). It should mention the contributions of the scholars in connection with the study. The
background states what the proposal is generally intended to do at the end of the background. The
background to the study provides a gradual stepping stone to the understanding of the research
problem.

The background to the study section explains the topic in various ways. For instance, it gives the
general meaning of the terms used in the topic conceptually, dictionary definition is at times used
and definitions by other authors are also applied to arrive at a proper definition. Besides, it may
provide critical explanations on the historical development of the issue to be investigated in the study.
This is usually done in a chronological order and general to specific to general or vice versa.

Key Points to Note While writing the background of a study

 Provide sufficient contextual information about the topic being investigated in the background of a
study
 The issues in the research questions are should be discussed in the background.
 All points in the background should be relevant and related to the topic under consideration.
 The background section should not contain the issues that are unrelated and irrelevant to the topic
under consideration
 It should be stepping stone for statement of the problem

1.2. Statement of the problem

Problem statements are a crucial element of research papers A problem might be defined as the issue that
exists in the literature, theory, or practice that leads to a need for the study. The problem statement
describes the problem that initiate the study or the research gap that a study is intended to fill. It presents
the underlying problem that has caused a need for research. The prospective researcher should think on
what caused the need to do the research (problem identification). The question that he/she should ask
him/herself is: Are there questions about this problem to which answers have not been found up to the
present?
It is important in a proposal that the problem stand out—that the reader can easily recognize it. Effective
problem statements answer the question “Why does this research need to be conducted.” If a researcher
is unable to answer this question clearly, then the statement of the problem will come off as ambiguous
and diffuse. The most frequent dilemma among graduate students is their seemingly aimless search for a
problem significant enough to pursue and discrete enough to handle.

The nature of research problems

 The problem statement describes the central issue of the paper and persuades the reader to continue
reading the paper .
 Research problem refer to the major reasons that motivate the research.
 Problems are stated in research works to guide the researcher in the problem that he/she is to
solve.
 These points to the fact that for a problem to be solved, it must be researchable.
 For a research problem to be researchable, it must have theoretical and practical significance.
Page | 5 TRAINING ON RESEARCH METHODS FOR WSU PG STUDENTS By Wondimu Tegegne(PhD)
 Introduction to Research Methods November 2017, Wolaita Soddo
 The need for a study must be logically stated and clearly articulated at the proposal stage.
 It should clearly answer “WHY THE STUDY IS WORTH RESEARCHING?” If not, your proposal
will not be approved and you will not get fund for its implementation . This leads to the rejection of
the pro.
 It must contribute to the increase of knowledge and improvement of prevailing situation

Patterns/ Ways to Develop Effective Research Problem

How to frame the research problem is the biggest problem in proposal writing. Unfortunately, there are
no hard and fast rules on how to frame your research problem/Rationale of the study. It depends on the
nature of the problem, your creativity and the depth of your understanding of problem areas But there are
three major patters to develop statement of the problem:
1. Stating the problem in the area: Clearly state the prevailing problem with regard to research title.
Indicate also how the problem is affecting practice in a particular area.
2. Showing a research gap: Another way is to describe what is previously studied, what is not
studied(research gap) and how the study is intended to fill the felt gap.
3. Combination of the two : Both by stating the problem in the area and showing a research gap.

The Research Questions/ Research objectives

Both states what the research is going to achieve and the question to answer by conducting a study. In
terms of their basic purpose, they are almost the same. The Research Questions can be derived from
objectives or vice versa. But they are different in the way they are written: As the name implies, Research
Questions are written is question form/ interrogative; While objectives are written in statement
form/positive.

Since Research Questions/objectives overlap, some scholars /institutions/researchers use the two
interchangeably. Others use both research questions and objectives. When the two are used in the same
research, they are direct replica of one another in the issues they are concerned with and number. The
remaining use one of the two in their research proposal or research report. Hence, it is necessary to
follow the guideline provided by your own institution. For clarity the two are briefly considered.

1.3. Research Objectives  

The objectives of the study specify what you will do in your study. It indicates what the research is
intended to accomplish and achieve. Objective should reveal the clearly what is to be performed in the
study and the methodology to be used to achieve the designed objective.

There are two major aspects of the objectives of the study. The first aspect is the general objective,
while the second is the specific objective.

A. General objective; what exactly will be studied?

o General objective; is the general statements specifying the desired purpose of the proposed project. It
Is derived from the title of a research. Almost similar with a title.

B. Specific Objectives
Page | 6 TRAINING ON RESEARCH METHODS FOR WSU PG STUDENTS By Wondimu Tegegne(PhD)
 Introduction to Research Methods November 2017, Wolaita Soddo
o Is derived from the general Objective of the study. See the Example given

o It identifies in greater detail the specific aims of the research project, often breaking down what is to
be accomplished into smaller logical components Specific objectives should systematically address the
various aspects of the problem as defined under ‘ Statement of the Problem’ and the key factors that are
assumed to influence or cause the problem. To have good objectives, you are advised to start each
objective with a verb especially ones that are transitive in nature for instance, To identify …; To
assess, To describe, To assess, To provide…; To uncover...; To explain…; To inform…; To define…; To
evaluate; To appraise…; To find out….

Objectives of the study should be SMART. It is also important to note that the research objective directly
follows the research problem because it specifies in bullet points the issues to be studied. Properly
formulated objectives will facilitate the development of your research methodology and will help to orient
the collection, analysis, interpretation and utilization of data. Remember Mind map a Research –that
shows the connection between Objective, Data source/Participants, methods of data collection and
analysis. If the objectives have not been spelled out clearly, it is difficult to undertake the study.

Why should research objectives be developed? The formulation of objectives will help you to:

1. Focus the study (narrowing it down to essentials);

2. To clearly state and know what is to be researched and not researched
3. Avoid the collection of data which are not strictly necessary for understanding and solving the
problem you have identified; and
4. Organize the study in clearly defined parts or phases.
.
Take care that the objectives of your study: Cover the different aspects of the problem and its
contributing factors in a coherent way and in a logical sequence;
• Are clearly phrased specifying exactly what you are going to do, where, and for what purpose;
• Are feasible(Possible, practical);
• Are realistic considering local conditions;
• Use action verbs that are specific enough to be evaluated

1.4. Research Questions

Research questions are questions that we seek to provide answers to as a result of the research we are
embarking on. Research questions naturally come in question forms. Research question follows
directly from the objectives of the study and statement of the problem. In some researches research
questions are presented as part of the statement of the problem. That is, after describing the problematic
issue or indicating research gap, some researchers state that “the study is designed to answer the
following specific research questions” It specially state the issues presented in statement of the
problem in the form of questions.

Key Points to Note about the Research Question

 The research question must be written in a simple understandable question form

Page | 7 TRAINING ON RESEARCH METHODS FOR WSU PG STUDENTS By Wondimu Tegegne(PhD)
 Introduction to Research Methods November 2017, Wolaita Soddo
 It must be related to the topic of interest
 It should be related to the objectives of the study
 The question must be answerable
 The research question must be clear and concise

1.5. Significance of the Study

 Explain the benefits and the beneficiaries of the findings of the study. It cites the usefulness of the
study to the specific groups.
 Explain the specific, significant, unique/major contributions that the proposed research will
make to the area/body of knowledge. It describes the contributions of the study as new knowledge,
make findings more conclusive.
 It explains what will be the major contribution of the study? What new knowledge will result?
How will this knowledge be applicable? Why do research in this area matter?

1.6. Scope Or Delimitation Of The Study

Scope or delimitation of the study is a part of a proposal that shows the boundary of your research . It
shows what the research is concerned with or not concerned with. Scope states the demarcation of your
research concern. Indicate what will be included in or excluded from the study. Scope is usually written
by considering:
 Title/topic of the study
 Research setting
 Participants of the study/Source of data
 Time/year when the data is collected and research is conducted.

Practical Example of the Scope of the study.

This project is delimited to publish a magazine on different concerns related local, pan African and
global themes. The magazine will be published here at WS. The main participants in the publication
of the magazine are students and teachers of WSU. However, other interested individuals can submit
their contribution for publication. The work of publishing the magazine will be takes place between
November-January 2014.

1.7. Limitation/Problems of the study

Limitation of the study is a part of a proposal that shows the problems/challenges/difficulties that the
researcher predicts to face while conducting the research. Limitation of the Study. Explain the anticipated
shortcomings/ the potential weaknesses of the expected results of the proposed study .It also describes
how the researcher planned to address the problems if he /she encounter the problems so that the
limitations will have no any influence on the result of the study. Mostly it is optional in a proposal as the
researcher may not exactly know what he/she problems may encounter in the course of conducting the
research. The limitation part intended to answer three questions:
 What problem do you suspect to face
 How you are intended to solve it ?
Page | 8 TRAINING ON RESEARCH METHODS FOR WSU PG STUDENTS By Wondimu Tegegne(PhD)
 Introduction to Research Methods November 2017, Wolaita Soddo
 Whether or not the limitation influence result of the study.

Example of Limitation/Problems of the study

While conducting this study, the following limitations may be encountered. For example, in WSU there
are no sufficient reference materials such as books, articles and journals relevant to the study. In addition,
the researcher may face shortage of time because the researcher has also other academic work (i.e.
teaching) besides conducting the study. However, an attempt will be made to overcome the above
challenges. That is to address these limitations the researcher will use different strategies. For examples,
to solve the lack sufficient reference materials at WSU, the researcher is intended to use the library of
neighboring universities and use books from websites. To address time shortage, the researcher will plan
things and assign appropriate time for the study. As the result, the limitations will have no any influence
on the result of the study.

CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

 The Meaning of Literature Review

During the course of a research work, the student is expected to make use of information
gathered from researches done by others. The process of consulting studies or researches done by
other people or done in other contexts centering on the topic of the student’s interest is called
review of related literature. Review of related literature simply implies reviewing all relevant studies
centering on the topic of interest. Literature has to do with all the previous research work
consulted in the process of the research work. Hence, to effectively do this, the researcher should
consult journal articles, books, reports, theses of others, electronic sources and so forth. In
examining relevant materials to the research topic, the responsibility is on the researcher to identify
and select only relevant materials.

It is assumed that the researcher while reading literatures adjusts the focus of the research and
possibly modifies the questions the research is set to answer. The researcher in the process of
reviewing literature is also expected to note ‘gaps’ in the studies and try to fill such gaps.

The main core of the process is to critically examine the basic ideas already established or
researched on in an area. It is important also to look at the strengths and weaknesses of such
studies focusing on the research problems and objectives. Hence, the researcher is expected to
put the outcome of the review of literature into a coherent whole pointing out their strengths
and weaknesses, shed light on controversial areas and take a position as to what area of
departure should be with regards to further research.

Literature review is not a compilation of every work written about a topic. It is not simply a list of
sources reviewed separately for their own merit. It is important to note that the process of
literature review is not aimed at presenting summaries of irrelevant researches but at identifying
relevant and useful ones and appraising their strengths and weaknesses and taking a position
whether the researcher conducted the research well. A literature review gives an overview of :

 what has been said,

Page | 9 TRAINING ON RESEARCH METHODS FOR WSU PG STUDENTS By Wondimu Tegegne(PhD)
 Introduction to Research Methods November 2017, Wolaita Soddo
 who the key writers are,
 what are the prevailing theories and hypotheses,
 what questions are being asked, and
 what methods and methodologies are appropriate and useful.

Functions of Literature Review : Why reviewing?

 What is the purpose of a literature review, what function does it serve in research work?

 According to Akinade and Owolabi (2009), literature review serves the following functions.

A. Literature review increases the researcher’s knowledge base:

• Most times, novice researchers enter into an area where they do not understand.
• However, literature review helps them have a good grasp of what the area is all about.
• Literature review enlarges their insight into what has been done, theories and general
points of departure with regards to the study.
• Hence it gives the deeper insight and broadens their horizon and equips them with the skill and
knowledge base needed to proceed on the research.

B. Literature review enables researchers to discover gaps to be filled in literature: This is

one of the major functions of the review of literature.

• The knowledge gap refers to areas, which have been unexplored, unresearched, or
uncharted in or avoided by researcher in previous researches. This is done to help the researcher
to make a significant contribution to existing knowledge and not engage in over flogging an
area of research.
• In the process of literature review, the researcher discovers missing links in research and
tries to fill them. This process equips the researcher with information what has been researched
on in that area, what is being researched on and what could be researched on.
• This then informs the researcher on whether to conduct a study replicating what has been
done already or to conduct a new study in the same area. This is important in order to avoid
duplicating of efforts.
•
C. Literature review enables the researcher decides on whether to continue with the research
or not:

 The need to review literature to see what has been done and what has not been done.

 Once this is done, the researcher decides to either continue with the work or leave the
topic if it has been done better elsewhere.

Writing the Review of Related Literature

Page | 10 TRAINING ON RESEARCH METHODS FOR WSU PG STUDENTS By Wondimu Tegegne(PhD)

 Introduction to Research Methods November 2017, Wolaita Soddo
To Write review of related literature:

1. First of all search for relevant materials; To prepare review of related literature, first of all search
for relevant materials Relevant materials will probably comprise a range of media: books (monographs,
text books, reference books);

2. Make Initial appraisal from raw bibliographical data: After you collect the relevant material you
should make Initial appraisal from raw bibliographical data: That is, ask

 What are the authors’ credentials? are they experts in the field? are they affiliated with a reputable
organization?
 What is the date of publication, is it sufficiently current or will knowledge have moved on?
 If a book, is it the latest edition?
 Is the publisher a reputable, scholarly publisher?
 If it is a journal, is it a scholarly journal peer reviewed

The Initial appraisal from raw bibliographical data will give you clear information about the
relevance and appropriateness of the material to your topic. After you know these info:

3. Select the most relevant and related material

4. Read the Materials

5. Take note with all necessary information(Title of a book or an article, authors name, year of publication
,page no etc

6. Categorize the information you read based on thematic areas

7. Compile the notes together: Avoid copy and paste system

8. . Contextualize the reviewed topic your own study

CHAPTER THREE: METHODOLOGY

This section details how the proposed research will be carried out. Depending on the nature and the
underlying methodological approach to be adopted for the proposed research work, the section comprises
the following elements: Thus, methodological details appropriate to the proposed study can be outlined as
shown hereunder:

3.1. Research Design

• State and justify the chosen design.
• Indicate whether the proposed research is QUANTITATIVE or QUALITATIVE in nature
in terms of the methodology.
Page | 11 TRAINING ON RESEARCH METHODS FOR WSU PG STUDENTS By Wondimu Tegegne(PhD)
 Introduction to Research Methods November 2017, Wolaita Soddo
• Indicate the rational behind the preferred research design
• Explain whether the proposed research is Explorative, Descriptive, or a Case study, etc,.
• Describe how the adopted method will be applied

3.2. Research Setting

• State where the study will be done (location) and why it was chosen.

3.3.Target Population

 Describe the target population and give figures and a source.

3.4. Sampling Techniques

 Explain the sampling techniques which will be used to obtain the results of the proposed
research: probability, Random, Cluster,etc,.
 Highlight and discuss the relevance of these techniques to the proposed research;
 Describe how these techniques will be used to carry out the proposed research.

3.5. Data Collection Tools

• Justify the choice of data collection tools that will be used in the study and how they will be
constructed and what they are meant to achieve.

3.5. Method of Data Analysis

 Explain and justify how the collected data will be analyzed.

CHAPTER FOUR

4.TIME AND BUDGET BREAKDOWN

4.1. Work plan or Time Schedule

Work plan is a schedule, chart or graph that summarizes the different components of a research proposal
and how they will be implemented in a coherent way within a specific time-span.
It may include:
 The tasks to be performed;
 When and where the tasks will be performed;
 Who will perform the tasks and the time each person will spend on them;
 It describes the plan of assessing the ongoing progress toward achieving the research objectives;
See the Tentative Time Schedule of certain Study

Activities Duration
Phase One

Page | 12 TRAINING ON RESEARCH METHODS FOR WSU PG STUDENTS By Wondimu Tegegne(PhD)

 Introduction to Research Methods November 2017, Wolaita Soddo
Selecting topic and get approved the topic by the Department Nov.1-Dec. 30, 2010
Searching ,collecting and reading literature relevant to the topic Jan.1-Apirl 30,2011
Writing the research proposal May 1-Oct.30, 2011
Submitting the proposal to the Department Nov. 15, 2011
Defending the research proposal Dec. 1-14,2011
Submitting the proposal by incorporating the comments given Dec. 30, 2011
Phase Two
Developing literature review and preparing data collection instruments Dec.15,2011 –Jan. 30,2012
Phase Three

Data collection for main study Oct. 1-Nov. 20, 2012

Coding data and computing the statistics Nov. 25-Dec. 15, 2012

Data analysis and interpretation Dec. 16,2012-Jan. 15, 2013

4.2. Budget and funding

In a research Proposal budget items need to be explicitly stated . Cost for every budget item should be
quantitatively shown . Typically, a proposal budget reflects direct and indirect costs

After you prepare cost breakdown, consider the following:

 Is the budget needed for the study clearly indicated?
 Who will fund it? Can you afford by yourself? If not, how can you get the proposed budget?
 Is the proposed cost budget logical and convincing?
Based on your responses to the above question, reconsider and readjust your budget proposal

See the sample below

NO Item Description Quantity Unit Estimated

Cost Total Coast.
1 Stationnary
1,1 Duplicating paper 10 Reams 85.00 850.00 Birr
1.2 Pen (BIC) 2Packs 3.00 300.00Birr
1.3 Note book 2packs 12 288.00 Birr
1.4 Note pad 5pscs 30.0 150.00 Birr
1.5 Fixer 2psc 30.00 60.00 Birr
1.6 Fixer lead 3pscs 5.00 15.00 Birr
Total 1,663.00 Birr
2 Materials and Instruments
2.1 Tape Recorder 1pcs 500.00 500.00 Birr
2.1 Cassette of tape recorder 28pcs 10.00 160.00 Birr
2.2 Battery of tape recorder 20 packs 20.00 200.00 Birr

Page | 13 TRAINING ON RESEARCH METHODS FOR WSU PG STUDENTS By Wondimu Tegegne(PhD)

 Introduction to Research Methods November 2017, Wolaita Soddo
2.3 Rewriteable disc 3 packs 30.00 360.00 Birr
Total 2,260.00Birr

C. BACK MATTER OF THE PROPOSAL

References

The reference is the names of authors and books which are used in the preparation of the entire
proposal. You must give references to all the information that you obtain from books, papers in journals,
and other sources. The exact format for depicting references within the body of the text and as well as the
end of the proposal varies from one discipline to another. It is best that you consult with someone who is
familiar with the format in your particular area of research. The information you give in the reference list
must be enough for readers to find the books and papers in a library or a database As a general guideline,
there are certain items that must be included from each source reference. As mentioned above, the exact
format applicable to your particular area of study will be left for you to find out. All the references: in
Text-Citations, must be set in the American Psychological Association (APA) style of referencing.

A. For a journal paper give:

• the names of the authors,

• the year of publication,
• the title of the paper,
• the title of the journal,
• the volume number of the journal,
• the first and last page numbers of the paper.
Example: Yiakoumetti, A. (2007). Choice of classroom language in bi-dialectal communities: To include
or to exclude the dialect? Cambridge Journal of Education, 37(1), 51-66.

B. For a book give:

• the author,
• the year of publication,
• the title, and the edition number if there is one,
• the name of the publisher,
• the page numbers for your reference.
Ex. 1. Wolfram, et al. (2007). Dialects in schools and communities. Mahwah: Lawrence Erlbaum
Associate Publishers.

2. Sarantakosa, S.(2005). Social research(Third edition).New York: Palgrave McMillan.

D. While writing a chapter of a book Indicate:

 The author of the specific chapter you have cited

Page | 14 TRAINING ON RESEARCH METHODS FOR WSU PG STUDENTS By Wondimu Tegegne(PhD)

 Introduction to Research Methods November 2017, Wolaita Soddo
 Year of publication
 Title of the chapter
 Name of the editors
 Title of the book
 Page number of the chapter
 City and publisher
Example; 1.Watt, D. (2007). Variation and variable. In Liamas, et al.(Eds). The Rutledge Companion to
Sociolinguistics (3-11). New York: Taylor and Francis Group.

2. Mekonnen Alemu (2009). The implication of Use of Mother Tongue Versus English as Language of
Instruction for Academic Achievement in Ethiopia. In Brock-Utne,B. and Skattum,I.(Eds). Language
Education in Africa: a Comparative and Transdisciplinary Analysis. UK Cambridge University Press.

D. For an internet reference give:

• the author of the web page,

• the title of the item on the web page,
• the date the item was posted on the web page
• the date the item was accessed from the web page
• the complete and exact URL.
Examples; Coulmas,F. (2002). Sociolinguistics (425-437). On Aronoff, M And Miller J.(Eds). (2002).
The Handbook of Linguistics. Blackwell Publishing, Blackwell Reference Online.
Retrievedfromhttp://www.blackwellreference.com/subscriber/book?id=g9781405102520_97814
05102520 Accessed on 30 November 2007.

E. Unpublished material or research:

 Author
 Year
 Title
 Status(unpublished)
 City or country
Example; Tekabe Legesse (2010). Analysis of appropriateness and usage of Physics terms in grade seven
and eight students’ textbooks: Focus on Oromo (Unpublished Master’s Thesis). AAU: Addis Ababa.

Page | 15 TRAINING ON RESEARCH METHODS FOR WSU PG STUDENTS By Wondimu Tegegne(PhD)