This document contains details on how to write an effective research proposal, including the typical components and content. It discusses that a research proposal generally includes a title page, abstract, table of contents, introduction, objectives, materials and methods, work plan, budget, references, and appendices. It provides guidance on what to include in each section, such as stating the research problem and significance in the introduction, defining measurable objectives, describing the study design and population in materials and methods, creating a timeline and identifying personnel in the work plan, and itemizing costs in the budget. The document aims to provide researchers with the necessary information to develop a strong proposal that clearly outlines their planned research project.

1. Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
P.B. Dharmasena
0777-613234, 0717-613234
dharmasenapb@ymail.com, dharmasenapb@gmail.com
10. Research Proposal Writing
Rajarata University of Sri Lanka
P.B. Dharmasena
0777-613234, 0717-613234
dharmasenapb@ymail.com, dharmasenapb@gmail.com
https://independent.academia.edu/PunchiBandageDharmasena
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Punchi_Bandage_Dharmasena/contributions
http://www.slideshare.net/DharmasenaPb
LESSON
TEN
EMGT 3172 (1:15)
B.A. (Special) Degree Program
Monday 10.30 am – 12.30 pm
Hall: EML

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Learning objectives
1. Explain
components of a
research proposal
2. After completing
this lesson you
will be
competent to
prepare a
research proposal
by your own
Lesson-10
LESSON
TEN
RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING
What we discussed so far is the steps in the
planning process of a research programme
i.e. formulating a research problem (selection
of the topic and literature review),
conceptualizing a research design (objectives,
design and methodology), constructing an
instrument for data collection (use of
documents, questionnaire survey,
measurements and observations, FGDs,
interviews etc.) and selecting a sample for
data collection. This lesson explains the
preparation of the research proposal
(protocol) for approval and funding

3. Components of the Research
Proposal:
Title and cover page, Abstract,
Table of contents
1. Introduction
2. Objective of the study
3. Materials and methods
4. Work plan (project
management)
5. Budget
6. References
7. Appendices
Lesson-10
RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING
Sir Arther C Clerk

4. Title and cover page
The cover page should contain the title, the names of the authors with
their titles and positions, the institution (e.g., Faculty of Social Science &
Humanity) and the month and year of submission of the proposal. The title
could consist of a challenging statement or question, followed by an
informative subtitle covering the content of the study and indicating the
area where the study will be undertaken.
Abstract:
Summary of the proposal which should include (in short): Objectives,
hypothesis, methods, time schedule and the total cost.
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 you can go through the proposal in a different order or
skip certain sections
Lesson-10
RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING

5. I) Introduction
• Statement of the research problem
 Background and definition of the problem of the study
 Why the proposed study is important, i.e., general statement on
rationale behind the research project.
• State of knowledge: knowledge pertinent to subject under study
 Local data/knowledge
 Literature review
• Significance of the proposed work
Specific statements on the significance of the results of the study should
be given. Where to use the results; who to make us of the results; what
for the result would be used; and other details related with the
usefulness of the end results of the study.
Lesson-10
RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING

6. II) Objective of the study
General objective: aim of the study in general
terms
Specific objectives: measurable statements on the
specific questions to be answered
Hypotheses:
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.
Lesson-10
RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING

7. III) Materials and methods
If the investigation deals with human beings, the terms 'study
population' or 'subjects' are preferable to 'materials'.
 Type of study (study design)
 Study population
- Describe the study areas and populations
- Mapping and numbering of the study area
- Appropriateness of the study
- Accessibility (provide background information, travel, time, etc...)
- Cooperation and stability of the population
Lesson-10
RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING

8. III) Materials and methods (contd..)
 Type of data (defining each variable to be collected and methods for
collecting them)
 Operational definitions
 Some elements of the variables to be studied:
What characteristics will be measured? How will the variables be defined?
What scales of measurement will be used etc.
i. Inclusion/ exclusion criteria
ii. Sampling procedure to be used and sample size and power
calculation.
iii. Data collection and management
• Data collection and coding forms should be appended to
protocol
• Training and quality control, bias control, data entry and storage,
data clean-up and correction of deficiencies
Lesson-10
RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING

9. III. Materials and methods (contd..)
 Data analysis
i. Management of dropouts
ii. Frequencies, rates, other parameters
iii. Statistical programs and tests to be used
iv. Data presentation (dummy tables to be appended)
 Ethical considerations: rights and welfare of the subjects
and method of obtaining their informed consent
 Pretest or pilot study:
(allows us to identify potential problems in the proposed
study)
Lesson-10
RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING

10. IV. Work plan (project management)
 Personnel, job descriptions, training
 Schedule (timetable)- provide actual dates for
each activity
• Pilot phase
• Final study
 Onset, data collection, analysis, write-up
 Relevant facilities
 Cooperating organizations
Lesson-10
RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING

11. V. Budget (itemize all direct costs in SLR)
 Personnel, material/supplies, travel,
analysis, contingency, etc.
VI. References: List only those cited in text and
number by order they appear in text .
VII. Appendices: -
 Data collection and coding forms
 Dummy tables for data presentation
 Letters of support (cooperation)
Lesson-10
RESEARCH PROPOSAL WRITING