WRITING RESEARCH

PROPOSAL

By: Birhan T.
 OVERVIEW
 3.1 What is a Research Proposal?
 3.2 Functions of Research Proposal
 3.3 General Format/Components of
Research Proposal

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 3.1 WHAT IS A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL?
 The written document that defines the
research topic, methodology,
timescale and is a plan showing how
the research will be carried out.

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 WHAT IS A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL?
The research proposal is a piece of
document
which states:
1. What the proposed research is about.
2. What it is trying to find out or achieve.
3. How you will go about doing that.
4. It is also an argument which needs to
demonstrate rationality.
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 What: problem/theme > research question-----The ‘what’ of your research
refers to the particular problem which your research will address.
 Why : relevance > objective/aim--- The ‘why’ of your research sets forth
the value or benefit your research will generate. (This is often expressed in terms of its contribution to existing
knowledge).

 How : gathering data > methodology + analysis ---The ‘how’ of your

research simply refers to the methods you will use to gather, analyze and interpret your data .

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3.2 FUNCTIONS OF A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL

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 CONT.
 A good proposal should consist of the first three
chapters of the Research Paper.
 Begin with a statement of the problem/background
information (typically Chapter I of the Research Paper),
 Move on to a review of the literature (Chapter 2),
 Conclude with a defining of the research methodology
(Chapter 3).
 To turn a good proposal into the first three chapters of
the Research Paper consists of changing the tense
from future tense to past tense (from "This is what I
would like to do" to "This is what I did") and making
any changes based on the way you actually carried
out the research when compared to how you proposed
to do it.

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 RESEARCH PAPER:
RELATIONSHIPS
 While the proposal is generally written in
the present and future tense,
 The Research Paper is always written in past
tense.
 Your Research Paper is a report of a
completed study.
 Avoid over-use of “I”; try using the third
person.

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 Table of contents
List of table
List of figures
Acronyms 3. METHODOLOGY
Abstract 3.1 variables of the study(optional)
The Body 3.2 Research design
1. INTRODUCTION 3.3 Research Approach
1.1 Background of the Study 3.4 population and sampling technique
3.4.1 target population
1.2 Statement of the Problem 3.4.1 sampling technique
1.3 Hypotheses/Research 3.4.3 sample size determination
Questions 3.5 Sources and Types of Data
1.3.1 basic research 3.5.1 types of data
question 3.5.2 Data Collection Methods and Instrument
1.4.2 Specific research 3.6 Data Analysis and Interpretation
question 3.7 Issues of reliability and validity
1.4 Objectives of the Study 3.7 Ethical considerations
1.4.1 General Objective 3.8 Pretest or pilot study
1.4.2 Specific Objectives
1.5 Significance of the Study
1.6 Scope/Delimitation of the
Study
1.7 Limitations
1.8 Definition of operational
Terms
1.9 Organization of the paper
2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 theoretical review
2.2 empirical review
2.3 conceptual framework

4. The Supplemental
4.1 Budget and Schedule
4.2 Bibliography

Appendices
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 PRELIMINARY SECTIONS
Title page [1st page]
Acknowledgements [ 2nd page]
Table of contents [3rd page]
List of abbreviations [4th page]
List of tables [5th page]
List of figures [6th page]
Abstract/summary [7th page]
 [ALL OF THESE PAGES ARE

NUMBERED IN ROMAN
NUMERALS] 10
 TITLE PAGE
 The title page should include the title of the
report, the date, and for whom and by whom it
was prepared.
 Most of the time in students research, the title
page includes:

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 PREPARING A GOOD TITLE MEANS:
 ...having the most important words appear
toward the beginning of your title,
...limiting the use of ambiguous or confusing
words,
..breaking your title up into a title and subtitle
when you have too many words, and
...including key words that will help
researchers in the future find your work
 Include independent and dependent variables
 Do not include abbreviations, or chemical
formulas in your title.

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 The title should not be too long; preferably not more than 16 words.

• The title should be brief but include the following three

elements: It should neither be
(1) the variables included in the study, too short nor too long.
(2) the type of relationship among the variables, and Any name of the
institution, the number
(3) the population to which the results may be appliedof .cases to be studied
should not be included.

A Study of.
An Examina
Avoid superfluous phrases such as “A Study of,” “A Study to,” and “A Comparison of.”
Castetter and Heisler (1988) asserted that most research titles can be reduced by 50% without harmful effects (p. 6).

Redundancies such as "A Report of' and" A Discussion of' add

A title can be in the KINDS
 OF Question,
form of Hanging, TITLEor Indicative.
a) Indicative Title: - This type of title states the subject of the
research (proposal) rather than the expected outcome.
E.g., ‘The Role of Agricultural Credit in Alleviating Poverty in Low-
Potential Areas of Ethiopia’
b) Hanging Title: - The hanging title has two parts: a general first
part followed by a more specific second part. It is useful in
rewording an otherwise long, clumsy and complicated indicative
title.
E.g., ‘Alleviation of Poverty in Low-Potential Areas of Ethiopia:
The Impact of Agricultural Credit.’
c) Question Title: - Question title is used less than indicative and
hanging titles. It is, however, acceptable where it is possible to
use few words - say less than 15 words.
E.g., ‘Does Agricultural Credit Alleviate Poverty in Low Potential
Areas of Ethiopia?’
 ABSTRACT
 Summary of the proposal which should include (in
short): Objectives, hypothesis, methods, time
schedule and the total cost.
 In general, abstracts should not exceed 200 words.
They are intended to provide a general understanding
of what the project is about, not detailed explanations.
Each sentence should say something specific and
worth knowing.
 Allowing 200 words, with roughly 20 words per
sentence, the abstract will have approximately 10
sentences.
 It needs no introductory or concluding sentence and it
is generally one paragraph. It may, however, be
divided into paragraphs if the topic allows.
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 CONT.
 The abstract should be no longer than one
page of single-spaced text.
 Following the abstract you can include a key
word.
 The abstract should be written last, after
the entire proposal is composed.
 It should be a very clear, direct statement of
the project so that a reviewer can decide
whether or not it fits the funding priorities of
the agency and who to use as a technical
reviewer.
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 TYPES OF ABSTRACTS
 In technical writing, including proposal writing,
there are two basic types of abstracts which may
be used: Descriptive and Summary.
 Most research proposals ask for a Summary
abstract, while many journals require a Descriptive
one.
 Summary : The abstract summarizes the main
findings or theories of the proposal or article. The
reader can see the projected thrust of the article or
project and understands the (potential) outcomes.
 Descriptive : The abstract tells what is in the article
or proposal, but it does not offer any conclusions or
information about the findings.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
 This section is optional
 If includes, those individuals or
institutions that technically,
financially or materially assisted the
author(s) to generate the information
are acknowledged.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
 A table of contents is essential.
 It provides the reader a quick
overview of the major sections of your
research proposal, with page
references, so that one can go through
the proposal in a different order or
skip certain sections
 List of Abbreviations
 List of tables
 List of figures
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1. INTRODUCTION

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1.1 BACKGROUND OF THE
STUDY
 Section 1.1 outlines the broad field of
study and then leads in to the focus
of the research problem.
 This section is short and aim to orient
the readers and grasp their attention
 It is better to start with the general
and then work down to the specific
topics.
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 The background also should address the
following points:
 Sufficient background information to allow the reader to
understand the context and significance of the question you
are trying to address.
 Proper acknowledgement of the previous work on which you
are building.
 Sufficient references such that a reader could, by going to the
library, achieve a sophisticated understanding of the context
and significance of the question.
 The background should be focused on the research
question(s).
 All cited work should be directly relevant to the goals of the
research.

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The background should contain:
 Literature review discussing the background
information so far available, in the form of
theoretical and empirical reviews
Reviews should be
CONT.
In the form of

 Mention the gaps available that were not

addressed by previous research endeavors
 Justify the reasons why the research is initiated in
terms of time and space.
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CONT.

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1.2 STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM (1-2
PAGES)

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 SOURCE OF RESEARCH PROBLEMS
 Practical Problems
 Prior Research
 Contemporary/ Timely Issues
 Changes in Social, Political, Technological
and Economic Phenomenon
 Lack of Pre-written materials
 Personal Interests
 Theories

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CONT.
 Reading/literature
 Academic Experience
 Daily experience and observation
 Exposure to field situation
 Consultation and discussion with others
 Brainstorming
 Research
 New Innovation and others

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 1.3. OBJECTIVE OF THE STUDY

 The identified problem that need solutions

should be put as objective of the research
 Note that your aim and objectives are
derived directly from and must be in line with
your research problem or/and questions and
topic.
 The objectives should meet the purpose of
the study. They should be phrased clearly,
unambiguously and very specifically. Also,
they should be phrased in measurable
terms.
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 The objectives identified should be
general as well as specific.
 General objective: aim of the

study in general term

 Specific objectives: measurable

statements on the specific

questions to be a answered
 Hypotheses

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 AIM/ GENERAL
OBJECTIVE
 are broad statements of desired outcomes, or
the general intentions of the research, which
'paint the picture' of your research proposal;
 emphasize what is to be accomplished, not

how it is to be accomplished ;
 address the long-term project outcomes; i.e.,

they should reflect the aspirations and

expectations of the research topic;
 usually not numbered
 usually no more than two or three aims

statements.

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 OBJECTIVES
 Objectives draw from the aim (s). In other
words, objectives contribute towards
achieving the aim (s) or general objective of
the research.
 The aim is what you want to achieve, and
objectives describe how you are going to
achieve that aim.
 An aim is broad statement of desired
outcome while objectives are the steps you
are going to take to test your hypotheses or
answer your research question. 31
 AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:
 Should not be too vague, broad in scope;
 Should not just repeat each other in different

words;
 Should not go into the details of the research;

 Should not contradict methods, that is, they

should not imply methodological goals or

standards of measurement, proof or
generalizability of findings that the methods
cannot sustain.

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CONT.

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 1.4 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE
STUDY
 Significance refers to the rationale for the study &
its relationship to theory, knowledge or practice.
 It should have one or more of the following criteria:
1. provides knowledge about an continuing common practice
2. tests a theory
3. is generalizable
4. extends our understanding of a broader phenomenon
5. advances methodology
6. is related to a current issue
7. evaluates a specific practice at a given site
8. is an exploratory study

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 1.5 SCOPE/DELIMITATION OF THE
STUDY
 the boundaries and margins which physically
and conceptually define the source and location
of the elements of the study which are suppose
to provide the required data
 Shall presented in terms of

Conceptual

methodological

Geographical

ACTIVITY: based on those assumptions,
Determine the scope of your study.
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 1.6 DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS
 You must remember to define clearly any terminology
you use in your research report.
 The following simple rules can help you in deciding
what you should regard as ‘terminology’ and therefore
which words, concepts and ideas you should define.

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1.7 ORGANIZATION OF THE
STUDY

 An overview of the chapters

in the thesis or your ‘plan of
action’

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2. LITERATURE REVIEW

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 INTRODUCTION
 give the reader a description of the
procedure you used in conducting your
review of the literature.
 What databases were used in the review?
 Tell how the chapter will be organized,

e.g. topically?, chronologically?, historically?, etc.
 What sections will be included in the
chapter?

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 2.1 THEORETICAL REVIEW/CONCEPTUAL LITERATURE
 Offer a thorough analysis of the
concepts/conceptual arguments/ theories found in
papers concerned with description or analysis of
theories or concepts associated with the topic
2.1.1 Definition of/The Concept of [Your Parent
Theory] (e.g., SCM)
 Exploration of problem using models of parent
disciplines/fields/classifications
 What are the broad bodies of literature that have relevance
for your research topic (local and international)?

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2.1.2 Definition of/Concept of [Your Research Problem Theory]
(e.g., LCS)
 The Research Problem Theory is related to the problem statement of
the study
 Mentions different theoretical ideas contributing to further
exploration or explanation of the study’s problem statement
 What is the nature of the phenomenon? How has it been defined,
conceptualized? Is there Agreement or disagreement? In what
areas/dimensions? What are the different paradigms that define the
phenomenon? Is it a new concept? old?
 Why is this topic/subject important?
 What is its theoretical history? Where did it come from? Who are the
seminal scholars? (Who else thinks it is important)?
 What is its current theoretical stage? Well developed? Still fuzzy?
How has it been studied? Methodological weaknesses/strengths?
What can be adapted to my own study?

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2.1.3 Factors Affecting [Your DV/Research Problem Theory]
(e.g., LCS)
2.1.3.1 Factor 1[Theoretical literature about your 1st
IV]
2.1.3.2 Factor 2[Theoretical literature about your 2nd
IV]
2.1.3.3 Factor 3[Theoretical literature about your 3rd
IV]
2.1.3.4 Factor 4[Theoretical literature about your 4th
IV]

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 2.2 EMPIRICAL REVIEW
 Empirical studies – that is, those that have
gathered primary data to analyze and provide
evidence in relation to this topic – need to be
summarized and critiqued.
 An empirical study is one where data are
analyzed to provide tests of hypotheses and/or
research questions. It usually includes the
independent variable(s) and the dependent
variable, and data are analyzed by
multivariate techniques. An empirical study is
not descriptive, but analytical with respect to
the antecedents of the dependent variable.
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 CONT.
 provide a comprehensive analysis of empirical
studies on the topic, including their content
(theory/framework, findings) and, if necessary,
their methodology (research designs, samples,
sites, measures, methods of analysis).
 Summarize previous studies, addressing and
investigating the current study’s problem
statement
 Discuss the theoretical ideas mentioned above
against the background of the results of
previous empirical studies

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 CONT.
 What did other empirical studies find?
 Analyze and compare previous studies in the light
of their research design and methodology
 Are the results of research consistent? Inconsistent?

Where do they converge? Where do they diverge

(perhaps more research is needed). Can one
employ a better research design?
 An author-by-author summary of the literature is not
appropriate. An integrated synthesis of the relevant
literature must demonstrate your mastery of the
chosen topic, and that you have fully grasped the
thinking/reasoning on the related issues.
 Includes ….

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
Give descriptions of the results, critiques of individual
empirical studies categorized into sections for your
argument, and summaries of common findings from
several studies;

Cite highly relevant articles that are focused directly on
your hypotheses or research question(s);

Select high-quality refereed journals as sources of
articles

Include contemporary references, such as a majority of
references from the previous ten years and especially
from the current or just prior year

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 2.3 GAPS IN LITERATURE
 What don’t we still know that would
advance knowledge and understanding
of the topic?
 Identify where the potential gaps in
knowledge concerning your topic are,
and relate these to your research
objectives.
 The gap in theoretical and empirical LR
together will form the theoretical
problem (gap in literature).
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
2.4 CONCEPTUAL
Development of research questions & hypotheses
using models of immediate discipline, relevant
FRAMEWORK AND
concepts, and theories


HYPOTHESES
2.4.1 Conceptual Framework
What theoretical model/s relate to your research
topic?
 A conceptual framework is a structure of concepts and/or
theories which are pulled together as a map for the study
 According to (Robert Kasisi1, 2015:4) conceptual
framework is a diagrammatical representation that
shows the relationship between dependent and
independent variables
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2.4.2 Hypotheses Development
 Research issues/propositions developed from the theoretical framework to
focus data collection
 Review of Pertinent work for or against the hypothesis
The literature that relates the IVs to the DV:
CONT.


2.4.2.1 The relationship between [Factor 1] and [Your DV]

…[Empirical literature that relates your 1 st IV to the DV]; hence, H1
2.4.2.2 The relationship between [Factor 2] and [Your DV]
… [Empirical literature that relates your 2 nd IV to the DV];
hence, H2
2.4.2.3 The relationship between [Factor 3] and [Your DV]
…[Empirical literature that relates your 3 rd IV to the DV]; hence, H3
2.4.2. The relationship between [Factor 4] and [Your DV]
…[Empirical literature that relates your 4 th IV to the DV]; hence, H4

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3. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODOLOGY

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51
 THIS CHAPTER INCLUDES

 Research approach  Methods of Data

 Research design analysis and
 Population and interpretation
Sampling  Ethical
 Data source and type consideration
 Data collection
instrument.
 Preliminary analysis
 Reliability and Validity
of Instruments (CFA) 52
 Research design
Types of research design
• Descriptive
• Explanatory
• exploratory
 Research approach
• Qualitative
• Quantitative
• Mixed research approach
 SMPLING TECHNIQUE
PROBABILITY SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
Simple random sampling
Systematic sampling
Stratified sampling
Stratified sampling
 SMPLING TECHNIQUE
PROBABILITY SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
Simple random sampling
Systematic sampling
Stratified sampling
Stratified sampling
 Non probability sampling
• Convince sampling
• Purposive sampling(Intensity sampling, Homogeneous
sampling, Criterion sampling, Snow ball sampling)
• Quota sampling
 Data Analysis
Statistical Analysis VS non-Statistical Analysis
Statistical Analysis classified as descriptive and
inferential analysis
Descriptive Tactical Analysis
• Univariate
1) frequency distribution,
2) central tendency,(mean, median and mode)
3) dispersion(range and standard deviation)
• Bivariate (correlation)
• Multivariate(correlation)
Inferential analysis
• Regression