RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING

GKI1001INDEPENDENT RESEARCH

SEM 1, SESSION 2021/2022

DR ARCHINA BUTHIYAPPAN
University of Malaya
 “ The heart of the research plan is the
RESEARCH PROPOSAL”

GKI1001-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
 Research Proposal
 Written report presenting the plan and rationale of a future study.
 Proposal should be:
 Brief
 Informative
 Complete
 Persuasive

Present and future tense !

GKI1001-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
 Component of Research proposal
• Background of study
• Problem statement
• Significant of the study
• Research Objectives
• Research design
• Schedule
• References
 Steps in Research Proposal

① Identify area of research


② Background : Review of previous Journal articles, thesis, chapters in books,
studies seminars, conference books

③ Identify a topic & formulate
research problem


④ Develop research objectives


⑤ Develop research methods & data
collection techniques

GKI1001-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
 Title
 Informative, catchy, concise and descriptive
 Reader oriented.
 Indicate dependent and independent variables
 specify what population will be investigated

Bad titles

too brief too much information, like methods of study included

GKI1001-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
Example of Title

1. Weight loss practices among Malaysian adults

2. Academic Stress and its Sources Among
University Malaya Students
3. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on higher
education institution
4. Undergraduate student’s perception on tuition
fee
 Abstract
Title :
Differences of food intakes and body mass index among
undergraduate students in Universiti Malaya

• Keywords

• – China; Gender; Students; Diet; Obesity

 Introduction/Background
• Clear information to place your proposed topic in
the relevant context
• Should consists of
– Topic area
– Research questions
– Significance of study
– Previous work/literature review
• Web of science, Emerald , Science Direct, Taylor and Francis
– Reference
 Problem Statement
Problems may involve:
 Areas of concern.
 Conditions to be improved.
 Difficulties to be eliminated.
 Questions seeking answers.

GKI1001-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
 Aim
 Overall intention of the project What you want to know
Normally broad

 For example
 The present study aimed to gain a understanding of how students perceive
their tuition fees.

GKI1001-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
 Objective
 A concise and clear outline of what you intend to find out in your project to
achieve your aim ▪
 Objective should be
 Logical
 Feasible
 Realistic

 How to state your objectives

 To determine , to compare, to describe, to identify

 Do not use !
 To appreciate, to understand, to belive

 For example:
 To determine the factors affecting students performance during COVID-19 pandemic

GKI1001-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
Choice of word for objectives
• To identify
• To determine
• To evaluate
• To find the relationship
For example:

1. To determine the factors affecting students

performance during COVID-19 pandemic

2. To identify the relationship between sleep

duration and obesity
 Methodology
• These describe how the objectives will be achieved ▪
– DATA COLLECTION, DATYA ANALYSIS , AND
INTERPRETATION
• They address:
– How will data be generated or collected.
– Research design
– Analytical techniques to be used.
– Sequence of procedures.
– Sampling procedure
– Data needs
– Ethical issues if any
– Planning to interpret the data (SPSS, ets)
GKI1001-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
 Literature Review
Characteristics of good literature review

 Outlining important research trends.

 Assessing the strengths and weaknesses of existing research.
 Identifying potential gaps in knowledge.
 Establishing a need for current and / or future research projects.

GKI1001-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
Steps in Literature Review

① Planning

② Reading & research

③ Analyzing

④ Drafting

⑤ Revising

GKI1001-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
 Work Schedule / Gantt Chart

 Information on your estimated time schedule.

 Sequence of research phases and time for each phase.

 14 WEEKS
Example of Gantt Chart & Milestone
GANTT CHART + MILESTONE FOR 14 WEEK
 References

 Relevant.
 Recent / latest.
 Properly cited.
 Self citation may not be encouraged.
 Use APA format

GKI1001-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
 Reflecting your Proposal
① Title:
Is my title consistent with the content of my proposal?
② Introduction:
Do I appropriately introduce my review?
③ Review:
Does my review have a clear claim?
④ Body:
Is the organization clear? Have I provided headings?
⑤ Topic sentences:
Have I clearly indicate the major idea(s) of each paragraph?
⑥ Transitions:
Does my writing flow?
⑦ Conclusion:
Do I provide sufficient closure?
⑧ Spelling and Grammar:
Are there any major spelling or grammatical mistakes?

GKI1001-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
 Avoid Plagiarism
 Using another authors’ words / ideas without
proper citation.
 Citing a source but reproducing the exact
word without quotation marks.
 Using the structure of another author’s
phrases/sentences without citing the
references.

GKI1001-INDEPENDENT RESEARCH
Thank You
- archina@um.edu.my