The Research Proposal

Chapter Outline
Writing the Proposal
Introduction
Sections in a Proposal
Format for a Qualitative Proposal
Format for a Quantitative Proposal
Format for a Mixed Methods Proposal
 The Research Proposal
What is research proposal?
A written statement of the research design
that includes a statement explaining the
purpose of the study.
Detailed outline of procedures associated
with a particular research methodology.
It includes information on cost and
deadlines.
The proposal must communicate exactly
what information, how and where it will be
obtained through the study. Questionnaires
and other supporting documents should be
attached for reference.
 The Research Proposal
A research proposal is intended to convince others that
you have a worthwhile research project and that you
have the competence and the work-plan to complete it.
Generally, a research proposal should contain all the
key elements involved in the research process and
include sufficient information for the readers to
evaluate the proposed study.
Regardless of your research area and the methodology
you choose, all research proposals must address the
following questions: What you plan to accomplish,
why you want to do it and how you are going to do it.
 The Structure of Business Research
Proposal:
A specific structure of the business research
proposal depends on the institutional and
organizational requirements and may vary
from institutions to institutions.
However, the variability does not usually
affect the basic structural model, which
includes the following major components:
 The Structure of Business
Research Proposal:
Though the exact format of the proposal is variable,
most research proposals contain the following.
A.Title of the research
B. Abstract
C. Introduction/Background the study
D.Statement of the problem
E. Objectives of the study
F. Hypothesis/Research questions
G.Significance of the study
H.Delimitations and limitations of the study
I. Literature review/Theoretical framework
J. Methodology
K.References
L. A budget break down
M.Plan of action or work plan
 Format for a Qualitative Proposal
Introduction Anticipated ethical issues
Statement of the problem
(including literature or advocacy Significance of the study
issue) Preliminary pilot findings
Purpose and delimitations
The research questions Expected outcomes or
Procedures advocacy/participatory
Philosophical assumptions about changes
qualitative research
Appendices:
Qualitative research strategy
Role of the researcher Interview questions
Data collection procedures Observational forms
(including collaboration if relevant) Timeline
Data analysis procedures
Proposed budget
Strategies for validating findings
Proposed narrative structure
 Format for a Quantitative Proposal
Introduction Anticipated ethical
Statement of the problem
issues
(issue, significance of issue)
Purpose and delimitations Preliminary studies or
Theoretical perspective pilot tests
Research questions or
Appendices:
hypotheses
Instruments
Review of the Literature
Timeline
Methods
Proposed budget
Type of research design
Population, sample, and
participants
Data collection instruments,
variables, and materials
Data analysis procedures
 Format for a Mixed Methods Proposal
 Introduction
 The research problem & past research on  Quantitative data collection and
the problem analysis
 Deficiencies in past research, including  Qualitative data collection and
one related to need to collect both types of analysis
data  Mixed methods data analysis
 Audiences
 Validity approaches
 Purpose
 Researcher's resources and
 Purpose statement
 Research questions and hypotheses
skills
 Philosophical foundations for using mixed  Anticipated ethical issues
methods research  Timeline for completing the
 Literature review study
 Methods  References
 Definition of mixed methods
 Appendices:
 Type of design and its definition
 Instruments
 Challenges in using design and how they
will be addressed  Protocols
 Examples of this design  Visuals
 Inclusion of a visual diagram