SAFEGUARDING ABORTION IN SOUTH AFRICA: A MATTER

OF REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS

by
GOOD STUDENT
(Student Number: 2010005555)

Submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of

BACHELOR OF LAWS

RESEARCH REPORT/PROPOSAL

University of the Free State

Supervisor:

YEAR: 2024
 STRUCTURE OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL

1. Background of the study

Start by giving a general overview of the study. The background clarifies the importance
of the study in detail. The background of the study discusses in depth about the topic.

2. Research problem
The Research problem should be no longer than 10 lines, one or two paragraphs. It should be
focused on a specific issue. What it is that you expect to explore/ find in the study. All the other
headings should follow from the Research problem: in other words, all headings should be linked.
This is very important, if these links are not worked out in the Research Proposal phase your
Research Report will suffer as a result, it will lack integration, the ‘golden thread’ will be absent.

3. Research questions
Research questions make the research problem explicit in its smaller components. The Research
questions structure the study. In other words, you will respond to the Research questions in the
substantive chapters.

Therefore: Ch 1: Introduction, Ch 2: Respond the RQ 1, Ch 3: Respond to RQ 2, Ch 4: Respond to

RQ 3, Ch 5: Conclusion

4. Motivation
This is where you explain the reasons for the study and justify the study. It can also include a
section on limitations, things that are excluded from the study, with explanation why.

5. Overview of literature

Provide a brief summary of the main sources that you have consulted so far. Use your annotated
bibliography. Literature review must demonstrate: There must be a problem: an unanswered
question or unresolved dispute resulting from the overview of sources. It must show why this is
important. Your own position = reason for project: what do you expect to find or to achieve?
Where do you stand in relation to the problem? (relates to your starting points / assumptions).
However, it remains part of a research proposal, so it does not report on completed research but
explains why and how planned research
will be done. It is therefore OK to just note that certain things will have to be done, without
having done them yet. They must be structured according to research questions

5.1 Research question 1

5.2 Research question 2
5.3 Research question 3

6. Method and Theoretical Approach

The method explains how the study will be conducted. Most studies in law will follow a desktop
approach, in other words you will not do field work or make use of questionnaires. Your study will
comprise of an in-depth engagement with literature (academic articles and books, case law,
legislation, reports)

The Theoretical Approach explains the way in which you will engage with the literature and the
Research problem.

7. Outline (chapters)
The outline of chapters is guided by the Research questions. The introductory chapter is a
reworked version of the Research proposal. Each of the subsequent substantive chapters respond
to a specific research question.

8. Timeline / work plan (schedule)

You should add a timeline. The Research report is due on 21 October 2024. A draft of the
substantive chapters should be submitted on 12 August 2024. You should plan to do more reading
and main writing during the June/ July break. Aim to have at least a draft of the first substantive
chapter by the time the second semester starts.

9. Preliminary bibliography (books and articles, case law, legislation, etc)

A complete and accurate list of sources according to the JJS style must be included. Please consult
the notes on Citation and style as discussed in Session 2 of LIAS 4811. Remember that the
bibliography at this stage will be preliminary as you will continue to add sources when you write
the Research Report in LRRP 4800. NB – Remember, in LIAS 4811 you write an annotated
bibliography and a research problem, this then becomes your research proposal, which then
culminates into your research report.