writing

Template for writing a research proposal

PART I: INTRODUCTION

A. Make sure the proposal starts on a general level with some type of introductory remarks before going into the details of the specific research question you are proposing. This can be accomplished by providing a frame of reference, a definition, or a discussion of the significance of the topic in the field.

B. Provide a statement of the problem that you are examining. Discuss what other studies have said about your research topic and how your research relates to that of other scholars who have written on the topic. Find the gap and that will be the focus of your research.

C. Provide research objectives, and questions – sub questions or hypothesis. Make sure the research question is fully stated.

D. Provide the significance of the study

PART II: LITERATURE REVIEW

A. The literature review is written to place your study within the context of existing knowledge and other studies in your discipline. It gives recognition to other scholars and it also allows you to point out what is new about your research. Be sure to indicate if you are building on a previous study or a well-established theory; addressing certain gaps in knowledge that exist; or adding to existing knowledge by doing a study with a different or more complete methodology.

B. Ideally, at least ten other studies should be discussed in the literature review. After you have written the literature review read it carefully and make sure it is clear. Notice whether you can easily determine how the proposal is building on earlier studies, as well as exploring a line of research that is new.

C. When you mention other studies they are usually cited by the author’s last name, the date of publication, and the page. For example: “Another important study in the area (Chan and Gibbs, 2003:90) found that…” Later on, in the bibliography, you will provide a full citation to all the studies you cited in your proposal.

PART III: METHODOLOGY / THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK

A. Provide a full description of your general research design, as well as the specific methods and procedures used in your research project. The methodology should be sufficiently detailed so that it can be replicated. If you are following a methodological approach developed by others, cite the relevant studies. Provide diagrams, charts, and illustrations as appropriate for your discipline. List the instrumentation you used and provide a diagram of the experimental setup.

When writing your proposal make sure to:

· Discuss the data you will be collecting,

· Indicate the variables or constructs that will be investigated

· Identify and discuss the types of sources used (primary or secondary texts, interviews, surveys, personal notes, etc.) and the reason for using this sources;

· Indicate the population and sample with the technique of sampling and the reason for using

C. Describe the method of data analysis

D. Provide a copy of your survey questionnaire or interview questions

E. Explain any limitations that your study has

PART IV: BIBLIOGRAPHY

List the articles or books that you have cited in your proposal.

The quality of the writing in the proposal (and the research paper) is important. Check for the following common errors:

(a) Are the sentences too long? You can improve your writing immensely by using shorter sentences.

(b) Are the paragraphs too long? This is a common problem that makes it harder to read a paper.

(c) Is any of the writing awkward, vague, long-winded, or too informal? The best writing is concise, to the point, and without a superfluous word.

(d) Avoid inadvertent plagiarism: have you cited your sources each time you express an idea that is not you own?

(e) Have you utilized the correct style for citing articles or books? Adopt the citation style of the major journals in your field or the one your mentor prefers.