Chapter 13

HOW TO WRITE A RESEARCH PROPOSAL?

A research proposal details the operational plan for obtaining answers to research questions. It must
tell your supervisor and others what you propose to do, how you plan to proceed and why the
chosen strategy has been selected. It thus assures readers of the validity of the methodology used to
obtain answers accurately and objectively. The guidelines set out in this chapter provide only a
framework within which a research proposal for both quantitative and qualitative studies should be
written and assume that you are reasonably well acquainted with research methodology and an
academic style of writing.

The contents of your proposal are arranged under the following headings: preamble/introduction,
the problem, objectives of the study, hypotheses to be tested, study design, setting, measurement
procedures, sampling, analysis of data, structure of the report, and problems and limitations. The
specifics, under each heading, will vary with the type of study you are proposing to undertake. The
write-up for qualitative studies will be based upon qualitative methodology and quantitative
methodology will determine the contents of quantitative studies.

The ‘preamble’ or ‘introduction’ introduces the main area of the study. To start with, the literature
review is broad and then it gradually narrows to the specific problem you are investigating. The
theoretical framework should be a part of this section. The next section, ‘the problem’, details the
specific problem under study. The research questions for which you are planning to find answers are
raised in this section. ‘Objectives of the study’ contains your main objectives and your sub
objectives. Hypotheses, if any, should be listed in the section ‘hypotheses to be tested’. The logistical
procedures you intend to follow are detailed under ‘study design’.

‘The setting’ consists of a description of the organisation or community in which you plan to conduct
your study. The procedure for obtaining information and the measurement of major variables are
explained in the ‘measurement procedures’ section. You need to write about ethical issues that your
study might have and how you propose to deal with them. How you will select your sample is
described under ‘sampling’. The procedure for data analysis is discussed under ‘analysis of data’. The
way you plan to structure your report is outlined under ‘structure of the report’. Anticipated
problems in conducting the study and limitations with its design are described under ‘problems and
limitations’. As an appendix to your proposal attach a copy of the research instrument and a list of
the references. A work schedule provides a time-frame for your study.

Chapter 14

Ethical Issues In Data Collection

This chapter is designed to make you aware of the ethical issues to be considered when conducting
research. The ethical issues to be considered are the same in both quantitative and qualitative
research. How you resolve them depends upon you, and the conditions under which you are
working.
Being ethical means adhering to the code of conduct that has evolved over the years for an
acceptable professional practice. Any deviation from this code of conduct is considered as unethical
and the greater the deviation, the more serious the breach. For most professions ethical codes in
research are an integral part of their overall ethics, though some research bodies have evolved their
own codes.

Ethical issues in research can be looked at as they relate to research participants, researchers and
sponsoring organisations. With regard to research participants, the following areas could pose
ethical issues if not dealt with properly: collecting information; seeking consent; providing
incentives; seeking sensitive information; the possibility of causing harm to participants; and
maintaining confidentiality. It is important to examine these areas thoroughly for any unethical
practice. With regard to the researcher, areas of ethical concern include the following: introducing
bias; providing and depriving individuals of treatment; using unacceptable research methodology;
inaccurate reporting; and the inappropriate use of information. Ethical considerations in relation to
sponsoring organisations concern restrictions imposed on research designs and the possible use of
findings. As a newcomer to research you should be aware of what constitutes unethical practice and
be able to put appropriate strategies in place to deal with any harm that may done to any
stakeholder.