National Institute of Public Administration

Insert Research Title here

Insert Full Names here

(LLB)
Insert Student Number here

A research report submitted in partial fulfillment of the

requirements for the Bachelor of Laws degree (Legum
Baccalaureus)

June 2020
DECLARATION

Insert Research Title here

This directed research is my original work and has not been presented for a Degree in

any other Institution.

Signature: ___________________ Date: ______________________

Name: Insert name number here Examination #: Insert Student no. here

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APPROVAL

Insert Research Title here

by

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This directed research has been submitted for review with my approval as a Research

supervisor:

Signature:…………………………… Date:………………...…………………

Name: Ms. A. Beenzu Division/Department: Legal

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DEDICATION STATEMENT

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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ABSTRACT

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OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS OF KEY TERMS

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ABBREVIATIONS AND LIST OF ACRONYMS

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TABLE OF STATUTES

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TABLE OF CASES

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

DECLARATION

APPROVAL

DEDICATION STATEMENT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

ABSTRACT

OPERATIONAL DEFINITIONS OF KEY TERMS

ABBREVIATIONS AND LIST OF ACRONYMS

TABLE OF STATUTES

TABLE OF CASES

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Background1

1.1 Problem Statement

1.2 General Objective

1.3 Specific Objectives

1.4 Justification of the Study

1.5 Research Questions

1.6 Methodology

1.7 Scope of the study

1.8 Limitation to the study

1.9 Literature Review …………………………………………………......4

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1.10 Chapter Outline

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RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Background

Here, the researcher is faced with the vivid account of what led to the formulation of the

research topic chosen by him/her. Really, the introductory aspect will highlight what

encouraged and motivated the writing of the proposal which may include the historical

background, the antecedence and the current state of operations of the law with regard to

the particular research topic which has made the research necessary. For instance, it could

be in the quest of the law to act as an instrument of social engineering in the society.

Information about the topical issues being investigated are supposed to be provided and the

background should be as concise as possible but captures very important information

required.

1.1 Problem Statement

The purpose of the research should be stated here. In short, the researcher should state

why the research is to be embarked upon. This borders on the problematic concern of the

study. He must be specific so much so that even a layman may be able to understand the

idea of the nature of the problems which are embedded in the rationale for the research. It

can be done by examining issues and concerns by stating them in a problem form. At

times, a statement of problem may contain many problems which should all be stated and a

researcher must cover all of them or s/he takes only the problem that can best be handled

as this must be clearly stated in the scope of the work.

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1.2 General Objective

This is quite different from the justification of the study. The general objective of your study

states what you expect to achieve in general terms. The objective shows out rightly the

intentions of the researcher and what he/she intends to achieve by the research. It also

helps to highlight the important aspect of the research in such a way that the readers will

appreciate the nature and scope of the work. Epithet such as evaluate, examine, assess

and investigate are often the acceptable words used in constructing research objectives.

1.3 Specific Objectives

Specific objectives break down the general objective into smaller, logically connected parts

that systematically address the various aspects of the problem. The objective shows out

rightly the intentions of the researcher and what he/she intends to achieve by the research.

It also helps to highlight the important aspect of the research in such a way that the

readers will appreciate the nature and scope of the work. Epithet such as evaluate,

examine, assess and investigate are often the acceptable words used in constructing

research objectives.

1.4 Justification of the Study

Justification means why the research is necessary. As we all know that research involves

expenses, time and energy and therefore the need to find out why time, money and energy

should be committed to the research cannot be overemphasized. Therefore expenses

committed on research can only be justified if the research has a good reason to be

undertaken as for instance, if it is viable, useful, and beneficial to the people or add value

to the end user. It is worthwhile under this sub-head to even enumerate the people or

group of people that will benefit from the research.

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For example, a research work on Constitution of the Republic of Zambia between the

Executives, Legislative and the Judiciary will no doubt benefit the legal practitioners,

judges, legislators, law students, law lecturers, police, prison officers e.t.c.

The researcher should be able to identify his contributions to knowledge through the

research. The irony is that a research which will not serve a purpose or which is not useful

has no justification to be embarked upon ab initio.

1.5 Research Questions

A research question is an answerable inquiry into a specific concern or issue. It is the initial

step in a research project. The 'initial step' means after you have an idea of what you want

to study, the research question is the first active step in the research project. A metaphor

for a research project is a house.

1.6 Methodology

The researcher should map out a strategy for the research operations and also decide what

research techniques to employ. But a good research may be a combination of two or more

methodologies, for example, empirical and doctrinal. A research technique should be

differentiated from a research strategy which refers to the way in which one particular study

is designed and carried out. A research technique and strategy in a doctrinal research may

be different from that of non-doctrinal research although, methodology concerns three

major items of the research:

(i.) Sources of data collection: The researcher must state and specify the various

sources of his data collection. These sources can be either primary and

secondary or any other materials used in the study.

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(ii.) Collection Techniques: Here the researcher should specify the strategies for

collecting data from the identified sources of data collection. Techniques may

include for example libraries, journals or newspapers gazettes.

1.7 Scope of the study

Basically, this indicates the time frame of the study within which the research is covering.

Care must be taken in formulating a topic for research proposal so that the topic is as

narrow as possible. The general belief is that ―the wider the scope of a research, the

shallower the discussion is likely to be. The narrower a research topic, the more in-depth,

the discussion may be.

1.8 Limitation to the study

Hardly can there be any research without some challenges which a researcher may

encounter during the course of the research. For example a major barrier which a

comparative researcher of two different countries’ Constitution may face will be a linguistic

problems aside from the issue of how to select the countries of its study. It is expected that

the researcher must state how to overcome any envisaged limitation to the study in his

layout.

1.9 Literature Review

Literature review of a research work is absolutely necessary in order to acquaint the

researcher about what other people have said or written earlier about the area of the

research topic. Literature review is expected in proposals, although we sometimes see

some without it. It is the opinion of this writer that it is an essential requirement in legal

research and must be included in all proposals. Literature review determines whether a

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research topic is a novel one or not. It determines whether a research will contribute to the

literature in that area or not.

It is an extensive search for the relevant literature on the subject. It is during this period that

suggestive ideas regarding hypothesis present themselves and the researcher takes stock

of matters known and unknown relating to his topic. He should however avoid duplication of

those areas of research, which have already received attention of competent scholars. In

reviewing literature it is necessary to avoid entertaining preconceived notions on the basis

of published literature. One bane on legal literature is that writers write articles not on the

basis of actual state of law but as it ought to be.

The main aim of consulting literature is to gain sufficient theoretical and factual background,

which would enable a legal scholar to formulate hypothesis for testing, construct

questionnaire and avoid duplication of effect.

1.10 Chapter Outline

Also expected of the researcher is the outline of what he or she intends to discuss under

each chapter. This may be a summary of what each chapter will contain as the aim is to

give a reader a brief idea of what the research is all about. So therefore, in a logical and

sequential form, each chapter states what it contains as a sub-unit of the systemic work for

example, as a general rule, chapter one is the introduction, chapter two is the literature

review, chapter three and four deals with the core issues connected with or the theoretical

framework of the research or study. The second to the last chapter is normally devoted to

data presentation analysis, interpretations and major findings. While the last chapter of the

study presents the summary of major findings, conclusion and recommendation. It may also

contains some solutions to the identified problems in the research.

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