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WRITING A STUDENT RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Student guideline

Supervisor : Abdiaziz Mohamed Ahmed ( BULHAN)

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WHAT IS RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Is written work plan that student to attain their research dissertation or thesis.
Components of research proposal:
Preliminary pages
A. Cover page
B. Deceleration
C. Approval sheet
D. Dedication
E. Acknowledgement
F. Abstract
G. Table of content
H. List of tables
I. List of figures
J. List of abbreviations

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CONT..
❖Chapter one: The problem and its scope
1. Introduction
2. Background of the study
3. Statement of the problem
4. Research objectifies
5. Research questions
6. Hypothesis
7. Scope of the study
8. Definition of key operational terms
9. Conceptual frame work

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❖Chapter two : review of related literature
1. Introduction

2. Concept, ideas and opinions from other researches

3. Theoretical perspectives or study

4. Related study or empirical study

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❖Chapter three: methodology
1. Introduction
2. Research design
3. Research population
4. Date collection
5. Source of date
6. Data collection method and instrument
7. Validity and reliability of the instrument
8. Data gathering procedures
9. Data analysis
10. Ethical consideration
11. Limitations of the study
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❖References
❖Appendices
1. Appendix I : Questionnaire
2. Appendix II: Transmittal Letter
3. Appendix III: Time Frame
4. Appendix IV: Budget Frame

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PRELIMINARY PAGES
Cover page
• Most sponsoring agencies specify the format for the title page, and some provide
special forms to summarize basic administrative and fiscal data for the project.
Generally, the principal investigator (PI), his or her department head, and an
official representing the University sign the title page.
• A good title is usually a compromise between conciseness and explicitness. One
good way to cut the length of titles is to avoid words that add nothing to a reader's
understanding, such as "Studies on...," "Investigations...," or "Research on Some
Problems in...." The title needs to: match interests of reviewers; use appropriate
key words; be specific to the work to be accomplished; and be long enough to
distinguish it from other studies in the field, but not too long to bore the
reader. Cover page should not ne exceed more then 20 words and should not less
then 15 words.

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Declaration
This where that student will demonstrate that this work is his original work , that has been
submitted any other institutions . The declaration should be like this :

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Approval sheet
This where that different parties who were involved this work should demonstrate their
consent regarding thesis paper written by students.

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Dedication
This a brief statement that you would show the people who are mean in to your life
success or has been significant in your life. Dedication statement should not exceed
more 25 words.

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Acknowledgement
The acknowledgement is also known for acceptance of the truth or recognition of
the importance or the expression of gratitude as well. An acknowledgement also is
the action of showing that we have noticed or confirming the receipt of something.
This letter written as a polite response to the correspondence and association
between you and the recipient. It usually mentions a person or an organization and
the type of help received. For ready reference Acknowledgement sample letter are
given below.
Acknowledgement should not be exceed 150 words.

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Abstract
An abstract is a self-contained, short, and powerful statement that describes a larger work.
Components vary according to discipline. An abstract of a social science or scientific work may
contain the scope, purpose, results, and contents of the work. An abstract of a humanities work may
contain the thesis, background, and conclusion of the larger work. An abstract is not a review, nor
does it evaluate the work being abstracted. While it contains key words found in the larger work, the
abstract is an original document rather than an excerpted passage.

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Table of content
List of tables
List of figures
Lis of abbreviation

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CHAPTER ONE : THE PROBLEM AND ITS SCOPE
Introduction
This suction will briefly show the main content of the chapter and give shortly
understanding for the reader or supervisor. For example it can be stated on the following;
“This chapter will discuss the background of the study , problem statement, research
objectifies , research questions, hypothesis, definition key operational terms and conceptual
framework .”
Background of the study
This suction will describe the problem situation at the globally , contently and locally. Also
this will show the different perspectives in the background of the study such as :
Conceptual perspective ; discuses in detail for the IV and DV
Contextual perspective ; discuses the study in father research in context such as
Somaliland context .
Theoretical perspective ; discuses the base theory of your study .

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Problem statement
“The problem statement describes the context for the study and it also identifies the
general analysis approach” (Wiersma, 1995, p. 404).
“A problem might be defined as the issue that exists in the literature, theory, or
practice that leads to a need for the study” (Creswell, 1994, p. 50).
Effective problem statements answer the question “Why does this research need to
be conducted.” If a researcher is unable to answer this question clearly and
succinctly, and without resorting to hyper speaking (i.e., focusing on problems of
macro or global proportions that certainly will not be informed or alleviated by the
study), then the statement of the problem will come off as ambiguous and diffuse.
The research has to identify the specific problem existing within the specific area of
interest which his research will seek to address.

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Research objectives
This means listing of specific outcomes, the research expect to fulfill in order to achieve the objectives. Research objectives
should be closely related to the statement of the problem and summaries what you hope will be achieved by the study. For
example, if the problem identified is low utilization of antenatal care services, the general objective of the study could be to
identify the reasons for this low uptake, in order to find ways of improving it.
• Writing your research objectives clearly helps to:
• Define the focus of your study
• Clearly identify variables to be measured
• Indicate the various steps to be involved
• Establish the limits of the study
• Avoid collection of any data that is not strictly necessary.
• What do you think might happen if you started a research project, but hadn’t written any clear research objectives?

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Research questions
A research question is the fundamental core of a research project, study, or review of
literature. It focuses the study, determines the methodology, and guides all stages of inquiry,
analysis, and reporting.
• The research question begins with a research problem, an issue someone would like to
know more about or a situation that needs to be changed or addressed, such as:
• Areas of concern
• Conditions that could be improved
• Difficulties that need to be eliminated
• Questions seeking answers

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A research question is the question around which you center your research. It should be:
Clear: it provides enough specifics that one’s audience can easily understand its purpose
without needing additional explanation.
Focused: it is narrow enough that it can be answered thoroughly in the space the writing
task allows.
Concise: it is expressed in the fewest possible words.
Complex: it is not answerable with a simple “yes” or “no,” but rather requires synthesis and
analysis of ideas and sources prior to composition of an answer.
Arguable: its potential answers are open to debate rather than accepted facts.

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Hypothesis
An hypothesis is a specific statement of prediction. It describes in concrete (rather
than theoretical) terms what you expect will happen in your study. Not all studies
have hypotheses. Sometimes a study is designed to be exploratory (see inductive
research). There is no formal hypothesis, and perhaps the purpose of the study is to
explore some area more thoroughly in order to develop some specific hypothesis or
prediction that can be tested in future research. A single study may have one or
many hypotheses.

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The statements of hypothesis were as under:

A. Null Hypothesis:

There would be no significant difference in mean score of financial information of selected

banks during study period.

B. Alternative Hypothesis:

There would be significant difference between the mean score of financial information of
selected banks during study period.

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Significant of the study
The significance of the study is basically the importance of your research. The significance
of a study must be stated in the Introduction section of your research paper. While stating
the significance, you must highlight how your research will be beneficial to the
development of science and the society in general. You can first outline the significance in a
broader sense by stating how your research will contribute to the broader problem in your
field and gradually narrow it down to demonstrate the specific group that will benefit from
your research. While writing the significance of your study, you must answer questions like:

Why should your research be published?

How will this study contribute to the development of your field?

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Definition key operation terms
This giving a main definition of the key terms of your study specially definition of your
variables .

Scope of study
This is specifies the boundaries of research. This boundaries can be geographical ,
theoretical and content scope .

Conceptual framework
This is illustration that shows the relationship between IV and DV .

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CHAPTER TWO: REVIEW LITERATURE
The aim of a literature review is to show particular reader that researcher have read, and
have a good grasp of, the main published work concerning a particular topic or question in
specific field. This work may be in any format, including online sources. It may be a
separate assignment, or one of the introductory sections of a report, dissertation or thesis. In
the latter cases in particular, the review will be guided by research objective or by the issue
or thesis researcher are arguing and will provide the framework for researchers’ further
work.

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A good literature review needs a clear line of argument. Therefore need to use the critical
notes and comments researcher made while doing reading, to express an academic opinion.
Make sure that:
• Researcher include a clear, short introduction which gives an outline of the review,
including the main topics covered and the order of the arguments, with a brief rationale
for this.
• There is always a clear link between researcher own arguments and the evidence
uncovered in reading. Include a short summary at the end of each section. Use quotations
if appropriate.
• Researcher always acknowledge opinions which do not agree with thesis. If researcher
ignore opposing viewpoints, argument will in fact be weaker.

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Concept , ideas, opinions from other researchers.

This section deals with the analysis of the literature related to the subject and what other
scholars have said this topic and the objectives of the study . This section will elaborate
relationship between the variables . This will show the gab between you and other
researches that you want to fill that gab.
Theoretical perspective
This will show the theories which based on your study . One more theories my need to be
discussed in this section . This can be pivot test to your study and will elaborate the
relationship between your objectives .

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Related studies
This section will be discussed the past empirical studies or further researcher's have said
your study.

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CHAPTER THREE : METHODOLOGY

INTRODUCTION
This chapter will explain the coverage of the chapter.
RESEARCH DESIGN
Generally, research design means a structure to plan and execute a particular research.
Research design is the crucial part of the research as it includes all the four important
considerations. This section. will discuss which kind of research design . Here will also
indicate which kind of research approach .
• Quantitively
• Qualitative
• Or mixed approach

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Research population
A population is the complete collection of all the elements that are interesting in a particular
investigation. Population can be into two types that are , target population and accessible
population .
Sampling design and sample size
The sample drawn from the target population became the research sample.
Researcher will indicate and draw his sample size by using solvency formula of
sample size .
Sampling procedure
In this section researcher will show which sampling strategy that he/she will use to
select his respondents. This sampling strategy can be probability sampling or non-
probability sampling

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Probability sampling
• Simple random sampling

• Stratified random sampling

• Systematic random sampling

• Cluster random sampling

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Data collection
This section student will show how he/ she obtain the data.
Source of data ; this can be either primary or secondary data
data collection method or instruments
In research methodology there are different various tools or methods that
can be collected data in research study and this can be on the following:
• Questionnaire,
• Interview guide and
• observation checklist .

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Validity and reliability of the instrument
In order to ensure the quality of your instrument that you will use to collect information
data of your research study. Validity and reliability is the best two testing you can evaluate
and control the quality of your instrument .
Validity is the accuracy and meaningfulness of interference ,which are based on the
research results. Validity is the degree to which results obtain from the analysis of data
actually represent the phenomenon of the study.
Reliability is the measure of the degree to which a research instrument yield consistent
result or data after repeated trials.

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Data analysis
This section researcher will present how the data generated in the study . He/she will also
discusses how he will code, clean and sorted the data . He/she will show statistical tools that
he/she will use to analysis the data. Indicate briefly any analytic tools you will have
available and expect to use (e.g.,Ethnograph, NUDIST, AQUAD, SAS, SPSS, SYSTAT).
Ethical consideration
In this section researcher will ensure the safety ,social and psychological well being of the
people involved your study.

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Limitations of the study
A limitation identifies potential weaknesses of the study. Think about your
analysis, the nature of self-report, your instruments, the sample. Think about
threats to internal validity that may have been impossible to avoid or
minimize—explain.
References
The researcher will list down all the cited study that has gone through time study .
According to university format students should use American psychological association
(APA) six edition . And the student should list in alphabetic order.

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GENERAL GUIDELINE FOR PROPOSAL

1. A4 size, 80 gram bond paper

2. Computer print material must be of good quality
3. Font= Tahoma
4. Font size =12
5. Margins: 1.5 inches spacing from top ,bottom, left and right side
6. Type with 1.5 inches spacing
7. Double space from one heading to the next heading

ABDIAZIZ MOHAMED AHMED (Bulhan)