Tag: elements of research proposal

Research proposal is contains a proposed research project that provides its aims and objectives, methodology to achieve the goals, time frame to finish the project, the results of the research and its outcomes. It purpose is to convince people that you have a worthwhile research project and the problem is significant and worthy of study.

Title
It contains the fewest words to describe the main idea of the study.

Abstract
It is a summary of the whole research. It should be written briefly since it has a maximum word limit. It contains research problem, objectives, methodology, findings and conclusion.

Table of Contents
It provides the list of what topics are included in the research with corresponding page numbers

Introduction
It provides background of the study, statement of the problem, research objectives, significance and scope of the study, delimitation of the study and assumptions of the study.

Review of the Related Literature
It provides the background and context for the research problem. It contains the result of other studies that is closely related to the study being stated.

Methodology
It contains design of the study, population and samples, research instrument, pilot study, reliability and viability of the instrument, method of data collection and data analysis plan.

Legal Consideration / Ethical Issues
It should have inform consent and voluntary participation

Time Frame / Time Schedule
It provides the sequence of activities as well as the product of deliverables that will prepared. It should specify the tasks, deliverables, and schedule.

References
It contains the list of references used in the study.

A research proposal is written to propose a project generally in science or academics and sometimes requests sponsorship. It can be solicited or unsolicited. Solicited research proposal means that you are submitting a proposal as a response with specified requirements such as Request for Proposal (RFP) while unsolicited research proposal is submitted without prior request. An academic research proposal usually written as part of the initial requirements of writing a thesis, research paper or dissertation. Below are some of the elements of the research paper.

• Introduction
It will provides background information about the proposed research. It should create reader’s interest and reach out for specific audience.

• Theoretical Framework
The theoretical framework is written to hold or support a theory of a research since it introduces and describes the theory which explains why the research problem is under study.

• Statement of the Problem
It identifies and describes the problem being solved. It contains the general analysis approach. It answers the question, “Why does this research need to be conducted?”

• Purpose of the Study
It should provide specific and accurate summary of the overall purpose of the study.

• Review of the Literature
It contains the background and context of the research. It provides outline for establishing the significance of the study and a benchmark for comparing the results of the study with other findings. The writer shares the results of the other studies that are closely related to the study being proposed.

• Hypothesis or Questions
Hypothesis is a statement about the relationship between two variables.

• Methods/Procedure/Design
It considers the heart of the research because it describes all the activities in order to perform the proposed study including the methods as well the procedures and design to be used in the study.

• Sampling
Sampling is used to measure the validity of the research.

• Instrumentation
It contains the instruments to be used such as surveys, scales, interview, protocols, observation grid, and so on.

• Data Collection
It provides the plans on how to collect data such as survey, administration procedures, and interview or observation procedures.

• Date Analysis
It specify the procedures you will use, and label them accurately like for instance ANOVA, MANCOVA, HLM, ethnology, case study, grounded theory.

• Limitation and Delimitations
A limitation will identifies potential weaknesses of the study while the delimitation reports on how the study will be narrowed in scope.

• Significance of the Study
It provides about the significance of the study such as how the study will benefit or impacts others.

• References
It provides references used in the study