FACULTY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND SPATIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE AND SPATIAL PLANNING

QUALIFICATIONS Bachelor of Architecture Honours (08BARH)
& CODES:
Bachelor of Quantity Surveying Honours (08BOQH)
Bachelor of Regional and Rural Development Honours (08BRDH)
Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning Honours (08BURH)
COURSES NAMES Research Methodology (RMR810S/RMY811S)
& CODES:
ASSESSMENT: 4 - RESEARCH PROPOSAL
MARKS: 100 Marks (40% of these marks will contribute towards the final mark)
DUE DATE & TIME 2 June 2023 by 11:59 PM

COURSES Dr E. Yankson
COORDINATOR
Dr R. A. Dhliwayo
Mr J. Wiedow

INSTRUCTIONS:
 Please submit a research proposal based on the attached template.
 The research proposal shall have a minimum of 8 pages and a maximum of 12 pages (i.e. excluding cover
page, table of contents, references, any appendixes, etc.).
 You are required to submit your research proposal electronically (i.e. Microsoft Word document).
 The electronic version should be submitted to the course coordinator via Google Classroom by 2 June
2023 at 11:59 PM.
 You are also required to submit your Turnitin report in addition to the research proposal.
 Please refer to the attached template, for the research proposal’s formatting requirements.
 RESEARCH TITLE (Max. of 15 words)

Your First Name, Middle Name Initial and Surname

Your Student Number

A Research Proposal presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Bachelor of
xxxx Honours at the Namibia University of Science and Technology

Supervisor: (Where applicable)

Due Date

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DECLARATION

I,...........................................................................(full names and surname) hereby declare that the work

contained in the Research Proposal, entitled.............................................(Research Topic) is my own
original work and that I have not previously in its entirety or in part submitted it at any university or
other higher education institution for the award of a degree.

……………………………………. ……………………
Signature Date

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

The Table of Contents (TOC) should reflect the structure of the research proposal. It
should be arranged based on sections (and should incorporate all headings and sub-
headings). Number the page(s) of the TOC using Roman numerals, e.g. i, ii, iii, etc.

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LIST OF TABLES
Table 1. Caption for Table 1 3
Table 2. Caption for Table 2 3
Indicate the page number where each table appears. The tables should be numbered consecutively
throughout the research report, e.g. Table 1, Table 2, Table 3, etc.

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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1. Caption for Figure 1. 3
Figure 2. Caption for Figure 2. 3
Indicate the page number where each figure or illustration appears. The Figures should be numbered
consecutively throughout the research report, e.g. Figure 1, Figure 2, Figure 3, etc.

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LIST OF ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

List the acronyms and/or abbreviations here

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SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

Provide an introduction to the issue being researched. Examine current discourse, trends or views.
Include some background statistics, or make reference to industry or media reports concerning the
issue. Define any important terms being used in your research (particularly, the terms with many
possible meanings).

1.2 Problem Statement

The statement of the problem provides a guideline in framing research objectives. Describe the
situation that requires a solution, improvement, or alteration; or a discrepancy between the way
things are and the way they ought to be. Identify research gaps. Provide in-text citations of the
authors who have gaps in their research, which you want to fill (and of the authors who support the
need for your research).

1.3 Research Goal

The overarching goal of the study should be stated clearly and concisely (based on the research
problem identified).

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1.4 Research Objectives/Questions

State your research objectives or questions, ensuring that they align with the problem statement
and goal of the study. The research objectives or questions should also be clear and presented in a
logical manner.

1.5 Research Hypotheses/Assumptions/Propositions (i.e. where applicable)

Where applicable, provide your hypotheses, assumptions or propositions based on the research
objectives/questions.

1.6 Significance of the Study

State the importance or contribution of the outcome of the research and who will potentially benefit
from it. Specifically, discuss the potential benefits or implications of this study on future research,
and on architecture, quantity surveying, urban and regional planning or rural and regional
development practice and policy. That is, describe why answers to your research questions or
objectives will provide valuable information to improve practice in your field of study or the
conditions within a specific community. Explain how your study is unique and will not duplicate
research work that has already been completed.

1.7 Delimitations of the Study

In this section, you will need to establish the boundaries of your research. That is, state the confines
of the study in terms of size, location, concepts, etc. Specify what the research will cover and what it
will not.

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SECTION 2: LITERATURE REVIEW AND CONCEPTUAL/THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

2.1 Introduction

The introduction should remind the reader of your research objectives or questions in order to lay
the groundwork for the literature review and conceptual/theoretical framework. Please also provide
fundamental subjects, themes, principles, theories, etc. that will be addressed and how they relate
to your research objectives; and inform the reader about how the section is to be organised and
structured.

2.2 Themes (Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading)

The body of the literature review and conceptual/theoretical framework should be structured in a
logical way and divided into themes by means of headings. The themes should be linked to the
research objective(s). Include in the literature review and conceptual/theoretical framework,
definitions of terms that people outside the field of study may not understand or be familiar with.
Ensure that you describe and critically evaluate how various authors of the articles or books
reviewed analyse the subject or theme you are investigating; that is, it should include a description
of each reviewed theme by comparing, contrasting and/or linking the views, offering your views on
what you have read, and supporting your views.

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Header Header

Text Text text text text text text text text text text text text text text

Text Text text text text text text text text text text text text text text

Table No & Caption/Title (i.e. if a table is included)

Source:

Figure No & Caption/Title (i.e. if a figure is included)

Source:

2.3 Conclusion

The conclusion should provide a summary of key findings from your literature review and
conceptual/theoretical framework. It must highlight major themes that have emerged. It should also
state whether your questions have been answered by the literature and identify gaps which justify
the need for your study. Make some sort of reference to your next section (i.e. Research
Methodology and Design).

[In case you are have Levels 3 headings, please use the following format]:

2.3.1 Level 3: Flush Left, Not Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading & in Italics

Text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text
text text text text text text text text.

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SECTION 3: RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

3.1 Introduction

Introduce the general methodological approach you will use and justify the adoption of this
approach. That is, is it qualitative, quantitative, GIS-technique-based or mixed methods research; is
it exploratory, descriptive or explanatory? Discuss why you will use this type of study and what you
will be exploring, describing, or explaining. Please also include the purpose of what you intend to
study. Please ensure that you tie this to the literature review. You may also include the worldview or
philosophy that guides your research.

3.2 Research Methods, Subjects and Instruments (Flush Left, Boldface, Uppercase &
Lowercase Heading)

Include methods of data collection. That is, will you use interviews, observations, focus groups,
surveys, etc.? Additionally, state the sub-type of each method of data collection (e.g. structured and
unstructured interviews, closed or open-ended questions, etc.). State the rationale or justification
for your data collection methods.

Describe the research subjects (human or non-human research subjects) of your study. For human
subjects: give as much information about the population (e.g. age range, gender, education, etc.);
describe how participants will be recruited; and if they will participate alone or in groups? Indicate
sampling strategies (including target population, sample size, sampling types, etc.) and reasons for
selecting those strategies. The procedures should be described in a way that another researcher will
be able to conduct the same study just by replicating your steps.

Describe the techniques or instruments you will use to collect data. Will you use a standardised
approach or design your own instrument? Discuss how this instrument affects issues of reliability
and validity, and any biases. Discuss how this instrument will be scored.

3.3 Ethical Considerations (Flush Left, Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading)

Provide safeguards you will put in place to protect human subjects. Consider both emotional and
physical harm. State how you will handle ethical issues involving children or other vulnerable
population as your participants, i.e. how will you protect them from any possible abuses? Discuss
how informed consent will be obtained, and any issues pertaining to participants’ compensation for

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their participation (if applicable). Attach copies of any introduction letters and consent forms as
Appendixes.

3.4 Data Analysis (Flush Left, Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase Heading)

Describe the variables and data you would use for your analysis. Indicate what your independent
and dependent variables are (where applicable) and justify your selection of these variables.

For qualitative analysis, state if you would obtain the data from interviews, questionnaires,
existing/secondary sources etc. Also discuss the software (if any) and other approaches you would
employ in your analysis.

For quantitative research, state if you will you collect descriptive/univariate statistics (frequency,
central tendency, etc.); inferential statistics (Pearson’s r, ANOVA, etc.); or bivariate, multivariate
statistics? Furthermore, indicate the software to be used (e.g. SPSS, SAS, Microsoft Excel, etc.) and
how you will analyse the data that will be gathered.

For GIS-technique-based methodological approaches, state your data sources and how you will
obtain them. Also, discuss the relevant software used (e.g. ArcGIS etc.) and the procedures adopted
in carrying out the analysis within this software interface.

If you will employ a mixed methods approach, state your data sources and how you will obtain this
data. Please also, indicate the software to be used (if applicable) and the procedures involved in
your analysis.

3.5 Data Limitations and Research Validity (Flush Left, Boldface, Uppercase and Lowercase
Heading)

Please discuss any limitations in data collection and analysis that will influence the research (e.g.
difficulty in getting participants, sampling issues, or paucity of secondary data). Additionally, please
explain how you intend to make up for these limitations in order to minimise their impacts on the
validity of the research.

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TIMELINE

Include a practical estimate of the time you will require to complete your research. Where
applicable, you may use the dates from the course outline and the NUST’s Postgraduate
Rules to guide your timeline.

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LIST OF REFERENCES

Provide references for all the sources you cited. You are required to include at least fifteen (15)
scholarly sources preferably published within the last ten (10) years. In-text citation and referencing
should be in accordance with the American Psychological Association (APA) citation and referencing
style.

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APPENDIX A: TITLE OF APPENDIX A

Appendices should be arranged based on alphabetical letters rather than numbers (i.e., Appendix A
and not Appendix 1). If the report has only one appendix, the heading should not consist of a letter
(e.g., Appendix: Locality Plan of Windhoek and not Appendix A: Locality Plan of Windhoek).

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APPENDIX B: TITLE OF APPENDIX B

Text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text
text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text text
text text text text text text text text text text text text.

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OTHER FORMATING MATTERS:

The research proposal shall comply with the following:

a) Submission of Research Proposal: Number of Copies & Format

You are required to submit your research proposal electronically (i.e. Microsoft Word
document) via Google classroom. You should also submit your Turnitin report in addition to
the proposal.

b) Requirements for typewriting and formatting

The research proposal shall be typed:

 in letters of 11-point font sizes, Calibri font types and justified text alignment;
 with 1.5 line spacing between successive lines.

c) Number of Pages

The research proposal shall have a minimum of 8 pages and a maximum of 12 pages
(excluding cover page, table of contents, references, any appendixes, etc),

d) Due Date

The electronic version should be submitted electronically by 2 June 2023 at 11:59 PM.

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