Writing a Research Proposal

• A research proposal is a plan of how a study

will be undertaken. It describes the steps that
will be followed in the conduct of the study
from problem identification to data analysis.
Like a map, it serves as a guide for the
researcher in the implementation of the study
(David, 2005).
 Parts of a Research Proposal
Chapter 1
INTRODUCTION TO THE STUDY
• Background and Theoretical Framework of
the Study
• Statement of the Problem and the Hypothesis
• Significance of the Study
• Definition of Terms
• Delimitation of the Study
 Parts of a Research Proposal
Chapter 2
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Presented using the topic-based approach
(based on the major variables identified)
 Parts of a Research Proposal
Chapter 3
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

• Purpose of the Study and Research Design

• Methods
• Participants
• Data Gathering Instruments
• Data Gathering Procedures
• Statistical Data Analysis Procedures
 How to Write the Background
First, start with the MACRO or general
observation about your problem. “What is now
the general situation?”
Second, introduce your variables one by one.
Your readings placed in Chapter 2 will be
useful in describing your variables. Justify why
you need to study these variables. You may
now proceed to the micro level, your school or
your present situation.
 How to Write the Background
Thirdly, after thoroughly discussing your
variables, you need to find a THEORY that can
serve as a basis for your study.
Only describe the theory in one paragraph.
There is no need to explain the whole theory.
 The Conceptual Framework
It is usually presented in a schematic diagram
showing the relationship between or among
variables. In a correlational study, you usually
have an INDEPENDENT variable, the
presumed cause and the DEPENDENT variable,
the presumed effect.
 Statement of the Problem and the
Hypothesis
The statement of the problem contains the
General Statement of the Problem, and the
Specific Statements…please refer to the
example in your handouts (pp. 7-8)
Remember, your specific statements should
consider your variables.
 The Hypothesis
In our FCU GS format, we make use of the NULL
hypothesis which indicates non existence of a
difference or relationship. This only applies to
inferential statement of the problem.
E.g. 1. Is there a significant relationship between
math anxiety and math achievement?
The hypothesis will be:
1. There is no significant relationship between
math anxiety and math achievement.
 Significance of the Study
The significance of the study contains the
beneficiaries of the study. You have to answer
the questions “Who will be benefited by the
outcomes of this study?” and “What benefits
can they derive from this study.”
You need to arrange the beneficiaries according
to who will be most benefited to the least.
You may refer to your handouts for the example.
 Definition of Terms
In our format, we ONLY define important terms found
in the TITLE (variables). We no longer define those
terms which have exact meaning/interpretation.
Terms have to be defined CONCEPTUALLY and
OPERATIONALLY. Conceptual definitions may be
taken from books. Operational definitions describe
how the terms are used in the study. Operational
definition may include the quantification of the
variable. Please refer to your handouts.
 Delimitation of the Study
The delimitation gives the researcher the upper
hand with the parameters to include in the
study.
This part usually mentions the general
statement of the problem, the place of study,
the respondents, the independent and
dependent variables (if applicable), the
research instruments and the statistical tools.
 Chapter 2
You have already finished your Chapter 2. Just
follow the format as given in your handouts.

Reminder: The references should be within 10

years of publication (2010-2020 is acceptable).
 Chapter 3
Since this is only a proposal, your Chapter 3 will be
hypothetical in nature. You just need to imagine how
you are going to go about with your study in case you
will be conducting it.
As for the statistical analysis, if your problem is
descriptive, you may use frequency and percentage,
Mean and Standard Deviation. For inferential analysis,
you may use t-test or One-Way ANOVA depending on
the categories of variables for differences, and
Pearson r for relationships. However, it may vary
depending on the nature of your variables.