What is Research?

The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources in order to establish facts and reach
new conclusions.

What is Proposals?

A plan or suggestion, especially a formal or written one, put forward for consideration by others. A
research proposal “is a document that outlines how you propose to undertake your research studies”
(Mouton 2001:p.44).

Definition

A research proposal is a document written by a researcher that provides a detailed description of the
proposed program,

It is like an outline of the entire research process that gives a reader a summary of the information
discussed in a project.

Types of Research

• Revised Proposal
• Approval Proposal
• Supplemental Proposal
• Continuation Proposal
• Pre-proposal/Notice of Intent
• Solicited Proposals
• Unsolicited Proposals

Revised Proposal

This is the type of proposal written when the funding for a proposed project is to be changed to a
different amount other than the actual amount. As a result of this, the sponsor will require the
researcher to submit a revised proposal to support the funding amount.

Approval Proposal

This type of proposal is commonly written by students. It is submitted to your supervisor for approval and
is written before undertaking a final project, dissertation or thesis. This is where the supervisor needs to
ensure that your research is valuable and that the methodology employed can successfully be carried
out by the student.

Supplement Proposal

This is a type of proposal which provides support for proposals already approved and funded. It originates
as a result of increases in the proposed budget of the study. The increase may occur during the current
budget period and may include an extended scope of project approval

Continuation Proposal
This type of proposal is commonly written by students. It is submitted to your supervisor for approval and
is written before undertaking a final project, dissertation or thesis. This is where the supervisor needs to
ensure that your research is valuable and that the methodology employed can successfully be carried
out by the student.

Pre-proposal Proposal

The primary aim of the pre-proposal is to inform interested potential sponsors of the project. Typically,
the proposal does not include cost estimates and are not expected to result in a study award. As a result,
a pre-proposal usually take the form of a statement of intent or a brief summary. After considering a pre-
proposal, the sponsor will notify the researcher if a full proposal is required.

Solicited Proposal

Formal proposals are often solicited by sponsors through publishing specific program announcements
which are disseminated through various means. These announcements often come in the form of
Funding Opportunity Announcements (FOAs), Request for Proposals (RFPs), Broad Agency
Announcements (BAAs), etc. Researchers responding to the project announcement write proposals to
comply with the sponsor’s project guidelines.

Unsolicited Proposal

These are proposals that are submitted by a researcher in response to a ‘general call’ for proposals that is
issued by a research department or research institute or company in a field or area of study. Here you
must prove the suitability of your research project, the importance of your research, its relevance to the
organization, your qualifications as a researcher, the suitability of your research facility and the adequacy
of your research budget.

How to Know the Type Required Proposal of You

Having gained knowledge of the various types of research proposals, it is important to determine which is
relevant to your study. Generally, knowing the type of research proposal expected of you lies in the careful
perusal of the accompanying guidelines and instructions. The guidelines lays out what is expected of the
researcher and will act as a beacon in pinpointing the type of research proposal that is expected of the
researcher.

Furthermore, the purpose of writing the research proposal is also a proper yardstick in determining the
type of research proposal that is expected of you.

Importance of Research Proposal

The purpose of the research proposal: The research proposal is your chance to explain the significance of
your project to organizations who might wish to fund or otherwise support it. Ideally, it will demonstrate
the quality and importance of your project as well as your ability to conduct the proposed research.

Advantage of Research Proposal

 • Ideally, it will demonstrate the quality and importance of your project as well as your ability to
conduct the proposed research.
• The proposal also gives you the opportunity to think through your research project, to refine your
focus, and to predict any challenges that may arise.
• Develop novel ideas during writing proposal.
• Keep your focused on your research program.

Components of Research Proposal

1- The Title

2-Introductio to research

3-The Background

4-The Research Questions

5-Objectives of Research proposal

6-Research

7-Literature Review

8-Limitatios and Delimitations of study

9-Significance of Research

10-Work P11-Bibilography