Debre Berhan University

College of Engineering
Department of Construction Technology & Management
Orientation for 5th year students
on
THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Elements of Research proposal

Objective of the orientation
• To show the students on Research & Research Proposal writing
procedures.
• To make the students capable of doing a scientific research.
• To aware students on what is expected at the end of their research.
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
What is a research proposal?
 The research proposal is a detailed plan of study.
 The term "research proposal" indicates that a specific course of action
will be followed.
 It is a document which sets out your ideas in an easily accessible way.
 The intent of the written research proposal is to present a focused and
scholarly presentation of a research problem and plan. It shows that,
 What the research would set out to achieve (aims and objectives),
 How you would go about researching it (methodology),
 How you would undertake it within the time available (outline plan) and
 What the results might be in relation to knowledge and understanding in the
subject (potential outcomes).
ELEMENTS OF A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
 Title
 Introduction
 Review of the Related Literature
 Methodology
 Ethical/ Legal Consideration
 Time Schedule
 Cost Schedule
 References
TITLE
Select a Title
 Search Literature: Books, internet, journals, newspapers, newsletters and other
sources of information.
 Conduct interviews.
 Examine and analyze records and reports.
How to Select a Research Topic?
Based on the SMART concept
S = Specific.
M = Measurable.
A = Achievable.
R = Realistic.
T = Time specific.
INTRODUCTION
 Background of the study
Statement of the problem
Research Objectives
Research questions
Significance of the study
Scope and limitations of the study
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
“The introduction is the part of the paper that
provides readers with the background information
for the research reported in the paper. Its purpose
is to establish a framework for the research, so
that readers can understand how it is related to
other research” (Wilkinson, 1991, p. 96).
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
In an introduction, the writer should
 Create reader interest in the topic,
 Lay the broad foundation for the problem that leads to the
study,
 Place the study within the larger context of the scholarly
literature, and
 Reach out to a specific audience. (Creswell, 1994, p. 42)
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
“The problem statement describes the context for the study and it
also identifies the general analysis approach” (Wiersma, 1995, p.
404).
 A problem statement is a clear description of the issue(s), it
includes a vision, issue statement, and method used to solve the
problem.
 The 5 'W's can be used to spark the discussion about the problem.
 A problem statement expresses the words that will be used to
keep the effort focused and it should represent a solvable
problem.
RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
The objectives of a research project summaries what is to be achieved by the
study.
 Objectives should be closely related to the statement of the problem.
 The general objective of a study states what researchers expect to achieve
by the study in general terms.
 It is possible (and advisable) to break down a general objective into smaller,
logically connected parts. These are normally referred to as specific
objectives.
 Specific objectives should systematically address the various aspects of the
problem as defined under ‘Statement of the Problem’ and the key factors
that are assumed to influence or cause the problem. They should specify
what you will do in your study, where and for what purpose.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
 Indicate how your research will refine, revise, or
extend existing knowledge in the area under
investigation.
 Note that such refinements, revisions, or extensions
may have either substantive, theoretical, or
methodological significance.
 Think about implications—how results of the study
may affect scholarly research, theory, practice,
educational interventions and policy.
SCOPE AND LIMITATION
 The scope addresses how a study will be narrowed in scope, that is, how it is
bounded.
 This is the place to explain the things that you are not doing and why you
have chosen not to do them—the literature you will not review (and why
not), the population you are not studying (and why not), the methodological
procedures you will not use (and why you will not use them).
 Limit your delimitations to the things that a reader might reasonably expect
you to do but that you do not, for clearly explained reasons, have decided not
to do.
 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.
 REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE
“The review of the literature provides the background and context for the
research problem. It should establish the need for the research and indicate
that the writer is knowledgeable about the area” (Wiersma, 1995, p. 406).
 The literature review accomplishes several important things.
 It shares with the reader the results of other studies that are closely
related to the study being reported (Fraenkel & Wallen, 1990).
 It relates a study to the larger, ongoing dialogue in the literature about a
topic, filling in gaps and extending prior studies (Marshall & Rossman,
1989).
REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE
 It provides a framework for establishing the importance of the study,
as well as a benchmark for comparing the results of a study with other
findings.
 It “frames” the problem earlier identified.
 In a proposal, the literature review is generally brief and to the point.
 Be judicious in your choice of exemplars—the literature selected
should be pertinent and relevant (APA, 2001).
 Select and reference only the more appropriate citations.
 Make key points clearly and succinctly.
METHODOLOGY
Design of the study
Population and sampling
Research Instruments
Method of Data Collection
Plan of Data Analysis
RESEARCH DESIGN
Design – a description of the approach to be used to
reach objectives.
 Clearly indicate the methods of data collection either
within a quantitative or qualitative methodology; as
well as the techniques for data collection, e.g.
questionnaires, and measurement (the validation of the
techniques).
 Indicate whether field workers will be used to collect
data and whether computer programmes will be
employed to analyse the data.
POPULATION AND SAMPLING
A population can be defined as including all
people or items with the characteristic one
wishes to understand
Population sampling refers to the process
through which a group of representative
individuals is selected from a population for the
purpose of statistical analysis.
APPARATUS AND/OR INSTRUMENTS
In this subsection of the method section you describe any
apparatus and or instruments you propose to use in your
research study.
The following information should be included:
 General description of the apparatus or instruments.
 Variables measured by instruments.
 Reliability and validity of instruments.
 Why the instruments or apparatus are used.
 Reference indicating where apparatus or instruments can be
obtained.
DATA COLLECTION
Outline the general plan for collecting the data.
This may include survey administration
procedures, interview or observation procedures.
Include an explicit statement covering the field
controls to be employed.
Ethical/ Legal Consideration
Human research participants need:
 Informed consent
 Voluntary participation
 Restricted use of deception
 Debriefing
 Confidentiality
TIME SCHEDULE
 This section indicates exactly what will be done, the sequence
of the various activities, and the products of deliverables that
will be prepared. Specify the tasks, deliverables, and schedule
in some detail.
 In preparing grant proposals, there is more freedom to define
the tasks. In both cases, it is important that the proposed task
structure includes all of the activities necessary for completing
the project.
 Planning a viable schedule for carrying out the tasks is often
as important as developing a comprehensive list of tasks.
 TIME SCHEDULE
Day 1 Day 344
Research Project

Develop Research Proposal

and obtain approval
Develop introduction
Review literatures

Data collection

Analysis and discussion

Conclusions and recommendations

Research Report
COST SCHEDULE
REFERENCES
 Parahoo K. Nursing Research (2006) : Principles, Process and Issues.
2nd edition. New York: Palgrave Mac Millian Ltd;.

 Introduction to Research Methods(2009): Preparatory module for

Addis Ababa University graduate programs ,Graduate Studies and
Research Office, Addis Ababa University
THANK YOU!
&
STAY SAFE