FORMAT OF A PROPOSAL

i. Title page - The title page contains the following: -

i) Title of the study

ii) Name of the candidate/writer

iii) Name of the institution to which the report is being submitted

iv) Year in which the report is submitted

ii. Declaration Page - This is a page where the researcher declares that the work contained in the
report is his/her original work. The researcher signs on that page. It is the same page where the
supervisor formally signs to show that he/she approves the research report.

iii. Dedication - Some authors of research reports dedicate their work to a person or persons
whom they deem special in their lives. Such persons may be a spouse, children, parents or dear
friends. It is a statement and sometimes the author may give a reason to the dedication.

iv. Acknowledgement - This is an extension of appreciation and courtesy for the contribution of
others who gave assistance during the entire research process. All scholarly assistance provided
to facilitate the completion of the report should be acknowledged. The major contributors can be
mentioned by name but all others could be recognized by making a general statement of
appreciation.

v. Abstract - An abstract serves as the executive summary for the project or thesis. It briefly
indicates the problem under investigation, the rationale for the study, the purpose of the study,
the research methodology/design, sample selection, data collection and analysis, the research
findings, conclusions and finally recommendations drawn from the study.
vi. Table of Content - The table of content includes the major divisions of the report; each
chapter with their sub-sections, the references and the appendices. Page numbers for
each of these divisions and sub-divisions are given . These titles of chapters and sub-divisions
within chapters should correspond exactly with those included in the body of the report with
correct citation.

vii. List of Tables - Like in the table of content, all tables used to present data in the research
report are presented showing the table page. The number should be exactly as they appear in the
text.

viii. List of Figures - A figure is any pictorial presentation used to clarify specific points in a
discussion. They include graphs, charts, diagrams and photographs. All the figures that appear on
the body of the report should be included on the list. The page number on which the figure is
located should be clearly given.

ix. Abbreviation and Acronyms - Abbreviation is a short form of a word while acronym is a
contraction formed by taking the first letter of the words. An example of an acronym is WHO
which stands for World Health Organization. If any of them is used repeatedly in the research
report, the researcher should give a list of them and what they stand for.

Take Note
The format of the preliminary pages may differ form one
university/institution to the other. Follow the format approved by your
institution.
Also note that preliminary pages are paginated using Roman numbers
while the rest of the document using Arabic numbering
Finally, the tense used in a proposal is ‘future tense’ because the
researcher is proposing what s/he will do.
 AN ACADEMIC RESEARCH PROPOSAL HAS THREE CHAPTERS.
LET US NOW LOOK AT EACH CHAPTER.

CHAPTER ONE: INTRODUCTION

Introduction serves the purpose of introducing the study to the readers. The subsections are:

1.1 Background to the study;

The term “Background” refers to giving a historical overview on a given phenomenon. This
simply means giving a historical account over a given topic/phenomena. It involves the
reviewing of literature which is related to the topic under investigation. The literature reviewed
normally covers global, regional and local perspectives. Literature reviewed must be recent and
closely glued to the area/topic under investigation. Content must be presented in a continuous
prose

1.2 Statement of the Problem

Research is about solving existing serious problems. A study cannot be conducted where no
problem has been experienced. Statement of the problem means explaining the problem under
investigation. Here a researcher builds up a case to prove that indeed there exists a serious
problem that warrants an investigation. Give a valid comparative statistical analysis to show
prove that there exists a problem. Content under this sub-title covers at least half a page. Ensure
that the literature reviewed is relevant and current/recent. It is in the statement of the problem
where the study is justified

1.3 Objectives of the Study

Any study must have clearly stated objectives. The objectives stated must be based entirely on
the topic of study. When stating objectives, the investigator must vary action verbs to be used.
Avoid the use of abbreviations when stating objectives. We do not have general, main or specific
objectives. Stated objectives must capture all variables under investigations.
1.4 Research Questions
Research questions are those questions that the study seeks to answer. They must be constructed
from the objectives of the study. The researcher must vary his/her questioning techniques. Use
questioning terms such as; what, how, to what extent…, among others. The researcher needs to
state his/her questions according to the order in which objectives are stated. Each objective must
have its corresponding question.
1.5 Significance of the Study This section outlines the significance or importance of the issue at
hand . Avoid use of terms such as; the study will be useful, the study is important, etc. The
researcher needs to identify the parties that will be interested in the findings of the study. These
may be Governments, Business fraternity, NGOs, financial institutions etc. where the study
would as well be carried out. The investigator should give convincing reasons as to why the
study has to be carried out in the specified area as per the title. It is under this sub-title where the
investigator justifies the scope of the study by giving statistical geographical analysis showing
why it would not have been possible for the study to be carried out in any other place.
1.6 Scope of the Study
1.7 Limitations of the Study
Limitations are the unforeseen factors that are likely to hinder the investigator from carrying out
his/her study as planned. Such factors include; changing weather conditions, changing political
climate of the country i.e. escalation of chaos, among others. The researcher after pointing out,
possible limitations, he/she must state very clearly measures he/she will put in place to ensure the
stated possible limitations do not hinder the success of the study. The researcher must take care
so that he/she does not invalidate his/her study by showing that the study was faced with very
many problems. This is made possible by cleverly stating limitations.
 CHAPTER TWO: LITERATURE REVIEW
The review of literature involves the systematic identification, location and analysis of the
documents containing information related to the research problem being investigated. Literature

2.1 Introduction
2.2 Theoretical Framework
2.2.1 Theory one
2.2.2 Theory Two
2.2.3 Theory Three
2.3 Conceptual Frame work
2.4 Emperical Review
2.5 Conclusion/Summary

Purpose of Literature Review

i) To determine what has been done already related to the research problem being studied.

ii) A detailed knowledge of what has been done helps the researcher to:
(a) avoid duplication
(b) form the framework for interpreting research findings
(c) demonstrate familiarity with the existing body of knowledge.
iii) Identify strategies, procedures and measuring instruments that have worked before.
iv) Avoid mistakes that have been made by other researchers
v) suggest other procedures and approaches.
vi) Familiarization with previous studies
vii) Helps the researcher obtain suggestions and recommendations by other researchers for
planning further research.
viii) Pooling of the knowledge base in a specific research area
ix) Helps in revealing gaps in areas where major questions still remain.
Steps in Carrying out Literature Review
The steps to be presented in this section is very basic. As a learner these steps will guide you
while carrying out literature review.
a) First, be very familiar with the library before beginning the literature review
b) Make a list of key words or phrases to guide your literature search.
c) Armed with the key words and phrases, go to the source of literature, e.g. Library, Internet
There are sections that are included in Chapter Two though this may differ from one university
to the other. These are :
a) Theoretical Framework
b) Conceptual Framework
 CHAPTER THREE: RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

3.1 Introduction
This section introduces the Chapter to the reader.
3.2 Research Design
Research design is a ‘blue print’ that enables the researcher to determine sample size, methods of
data collection and methods of data analysis. This section was discussed in details in Lecture
Four.
3.3 Target Population
A population refers to an entire group of individuals, events or objects having a common
observable characteristic. Target population is the population to which a researcher wants to
generalize the results of the study. This should not be confused with accessible population.
Accessible population are members of the population that the researcher can easily
contact/access for the study
3.4 Sample Size and Sampling Techniques
This section explains the sample size of the study based on the target population. Sampling
techniques refers to the sampling designs that are at the disposal of a researcher. Refer to lecture
Five on sample size determination and sampling techniques.
3.5 Data Collection Procedures
Data collection procedures refer to the protocol that must be followed to ensure that data
collection tools are applied correctly and efficiently.
3.6 Data Analysis Techniques
Data analysis refers to examining what has been collected from the field and making deductions
and inferences.
3.7 Ethical Issues
Ethical issues are the issues that a researcher must bear in mind while conducting research.