The Successful Tips for Writing a Research Proposal

Chapter 1: Introduction

1. Introduction

2. Background of the Study

   1. Ask these questions:

      1. What issues are related to your study?

      2. What the investigation is about?

      3. What does the student plan to study?

      4. How is this area of investigation situated in a specific research context?

   2. Research context includes the reasons for doing the study, which can be derived directly from the following:

      1. Literature

      2. The current debate in the field

      3. The gap in the literature

         1. A lack of recent studies

         2. Inconclusive results

         3. Poor measurement devices (weak instrumentation)

         4. Missing factors

         5. Debatable statistical analyses

3. Problem Statement

   1. Two components:

      1. General statement

      2. Specific problem

4. Research Purpose

   1. A study always has only one purpose.

   2. A purpose is general.

   3. It reflects the real interest of the researcher.

5. Research Objectives

   1. Addresses the purpose of the investigation and the types of knowledge generated.

   2. Anticipate what is to be achieved by the study.

   3. Four types of research objectives:

      1. General

      2. Specific

      3. Immediate (most of the evaluative studies)

      4. Ultimate (most of the applied studies)

6. Research Questions

   1. Quantitative

      1. Exploratory

      2. Predictive

      3. Interpretive

   2. Qualitative

      1. Descriptive

      2. Comparative

      3. Relationship-based

7. Research Hypotheses

   1. Simple

   2. Complex

   3. Null

   4. Alternative

   5. Composite

   6. Directional

   7. Non-directional

   8. Logical

   9. Empirical (working)

   10. Statistical

   11. Associative

   12. Causal

8. Conceptual Framework

   1. Introduce and clarify the topic.

   2. Decide on all variables and their relationships.

   3. Construct the research flow.

   4. Represent the research flow with the variables in a diagram.

9. Scope/Limitations of the Study

   1. Acknowledge the existence of specific conceptual limitations.

      1. No investigation can encompass all the relevant factors embedded in a topic or study.

   2. Indicate why they are appropriate for the chosen research design.

   3. Set out the parameters or boundaries within which the study is being conducted.

      1. Delimit your study by establishing specific limits in terms of:

         1. Site

         2. Sample

         3. Time

         4. Issue

         5. Data collection

      2. Each choice will limit the extent to which the results can be applied.

10. Significance of the Study

    1. Highlight the potential implications for the practice on:

       1. Participants

       2. Research field

       3. Knowledge base

    2. Think in terms of:

       1. Why does this study need to be conducted?

       2. Who stands to benefit from the results?

       3. How might those benefits be expressed?

    3. Emphasise the recommendations for changes that might emerge from the results.

11. Chapter Summary

Literature Review

1. Introduction

2. Related keywords/key concepts

   1. Review critically the literature that pertains to the topic under investigation.

   2. Organise your writing conceptually or thematically.

   3. Map out comprehensively the literature foundation on which the study is situated.

3. Theoretical Framework

   1. Set out a theoretical framework to serve as a guide for the investigation.

      1. Cause and effect model

      2. Linear or cyclical model

      3. Hierarchical

      4. Matrix model

      5. Overlapping model

      6. Layered model

4. Chapter Summary

Methodology

1. Introduction

2. Research Design

   1. Types:

      1. Quantitative

      2. Quantitative

      3. Mixed-method

   2. Justifications:

      1. Link the characteristics of the design with the following:

         1. Research methods

         2. Purpose and objectives of the study

      2. Describe the chosen approach (qualitative/quantitative/mixed method) by which data will be collected and analysed.

      3. Inform the reader of how results, conclusions, and/or recommendations will be presented.

3. Data Collection

   1. Quantitative:

      1. Specify the instrument to collect data and the procedures to be followed.

      2. Instruments can be adopted/adapted/developed by the researcher.

         1. Use instruments that are valid and reliable.

         2. A self-developed questionnaire should be pilot-tested and checked for content and face validities.

      3. Written permission must be sought for using the adopted/adapted instruments.

      4. Include validity and reliability statements.

   2. Qualitative:

      1. Include these in the outline:

         1. Questions the subject(s) expect to be asked in an interview

         2. Types of items the subject(s) will be looked for in observation

      2. Explain how the researcher decides on these questions/items from:

         1. Specific concepts in the literature

         2. The previous study/studies

         3. Some other sources

      3. For document analysis, specify the following:

         1. Documents will be collected

         2. Where they can be found

         3. How the documents advance the investigation

4. Population and Sample

   1. It is applied to all research designs.

   2. Specify the type of sampling that is expected to be employed.

   3. Describe the steps that will be taken to gain access and solicit participation.

   4. Sampling options include:

      1. Probability

         1. Simple random sampling

         2. Stratified random sampling

         3. Cluster sampling

         4. Systematic sampling

      2. Non-probability

         1. Convenience sampling

         2. Purposive sampling

         3. Snowball sampling

         4. Reputational sampling

5. Data Analysis

   1. Indicate how you plan to analyse the data to generate answers to the research questions.

   2. Think about the analysis of the empirical questions from the Introduction section.

   3. Consider:

      1. Which elements of data are likely to address each of the empirical questions?

      2. What they might do with the data to derive an answer?

   4. Quantitative:

      1. Be attached to research hypotheses.

         1. Be specific about the type of test used for each hypothesis.

      2. Understand clearly all the quantitative terminology and statistical tests to be used appropriately.

         1. Include descriptive, parametric, and nonparametric statistics.

         2. Provide a preliminary version of the form within which the findings will be displayed in a chart, graph, and/or table.

         3. Take a statistics course.

      3. Concern about external and internal reliabilities as well as the validity of the work.

   5. Qualitative:

      1. Approach from a within-case and/or cross-case perspective.

      2. Use an inductive and/or deductive approach.

      3. Understand clearly the qualitative terminology and analytic tools to be used appropriately.

         1. Match the type of analysis to the purpose of the study and specific research questions.

         2. Find out how the data will be organised and displayed.

      4. Include a discussion as follows:

         1. Preconceptions: Address them regarding their previous experiences in the area under investigation, their social location, and their understanding of the situation before undertaking the work.

         2. Epistemological stance: Relate to the theory of knowledge, especially about its methods, validity, and scope, and the distinction between justified belief and opinion.

6. Reliability and Validity

   1. Both indicate how well a method, technique, or test measures something.

   2. Reliability is about the consistency of a measure; validity is about the accuracy of a measure.

   3. Validity

      1. Factors to consider include:

         1. Maturation

         2. Statistical regression

         3. Experimental mortality

         4. Deviations in the procedures for data collection

      2. Types

         1. Construct: a measure of the concept that it intends to measure

         2. Content: a specific test performed represents what it aims to indicate

         3. Face: a particular test is suitable for accomplishing the aim

         4. Criterion: the research outcome corresponds to different tests on a similar thing

         5. Test: the accuracy of actual components of the measure

         6. External: the selection, testing, and treatment of biases

         7. Internal: the effects of the extraneous variable on the dependent variable

   4. Reliability:

      1. Describe the steps that will be taken to enhance the quality of the data and the knowledge claim arising from the data.

      2. Types

         1. Inter-rater/observer: the degree to which different raters/observers give consistent estimates of the same phenomenon

         2. Test-retest: the consistency of a measure from one time to another

         3. Parallel forms: the consistency of the results of two tests constructed in the same way from the same content domain

         4. Internal: the consistency of results across items within a test

7. Ethical Considerations

   1. Discuss how the participants might be at risk in this study.

   2. Discuss the steps taken to protect their rights.

   3. Reference should be made to the ethical review processes that must be conducted prior to the commencement of the study.

   4. Seek approval from the relevant research ethics review boards.

8. Chapter Summary

The Research Proposal format is included for your review.

1. Defence of Research Proposal Schedule

2. Attendance Confirmation Form

3. Format of Contents of Research Proposal

4. Format of Title Page

5. Format of PowerPoint for Presentation

6. DRP Assessment Form

7. DRP Correction Verification Form

Attend and complete all the required courses in the first and second semesters.

Before submitting your research proposal, you need to be ready with the certificates of attendance for the required courses and the originality report of your proposal.

Two (2) weeks before the DRP, the research proposal and all needed documentation must be submitted to the Faculty.

Make six (6) copies of your research proposal and submit them to the Faculty Head of Postgraduate Studies.