2. Chapter 2: The Research Proposal
Learning Outcomes
After reading this chapter, you should be able to:
Know the attributes of a research proposal.
Know the contents of the dissertation and project
proposals.
Write a research proposal for the M.Phil./Ph.D.
dissertation.
Write a research proposal for the research project
proposal.
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3. Research Proposal
A research proposal describes what you will
investigate, how will you carry out your research, and
why the research is essential to be conducted.
It should be noted that the proposal acts as an
introduction of a thesis/dissertation or a project
report.
The proposal helps the researcher to think practically
and to be on the right track during the research
process.
Almost all students who intend to write Master,
M.Phil. or Ph.D.thesis/dissertation or those who
intend to apply for scholarships or research grants,
need to write a research proposal.
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4. Attributes of Good Research Proposal
It is innovative and contains impressive research idea(s).
The research questions and objectives are clear.
The methodology and data sources are well known.
The significance of the study is justified.
The objectives of the study could be met within the
timeline.
The writing style is clear and concise, and there is no
ambiguity.
There is no contradiction in objectives, research questions,
and methodology.
The budget and the proposal narrative are consistent.
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5. Contents of the Thesis/Dissertation Proposal
Cover
Title of Study
Abstract
Introduction
Significance of the Study
Review of Literature
Research Questions
Research Objectives
Research Hypothesis
Methodology
Data Sources
Tentative Table of Content of Thesis
References
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6. Title of Study
It should be appealing and meaningful.
It should not be a single word.
It should be short and self-explanatory.
It should reflect the study properly.
It should not be a conclusion.
It should not be contradictory to the
methodology.
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7. Abstract
It motivates the reader to read the full text.
It is a brief overview of the proposal,
consisting of 100 to 300 words.
It summarizes the essential elements of the
research proposal.
It may not cite the existing relevant
literature.
It may summarize the methods, results, and
implications.
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8. Introduction
It highlights the nature of the problem.
It discusses the background of the problem.
It explains the current situation of the
problem.
It discusses the significance of the study.
It states the research question(s) and the
research objectives of the study.
It mentions the limitations of the study (if
any).
It explains the structure of the study.
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9. Review of literature
This section provides a review of relevant
theoretical, descriptive, and empirical literature in
the same area.
This review should be critical. Actually, in the
proposal, it is a brief review of the literature.
This section helps us to know what has been done
before and highlights the gaps in research.
The conduct, significance, and scope of the
literature review are further discussed in detail in
the next chapter.
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10. Research Questions
The most crucial stage in any research is the development of the
research question(s).
The aim of the research study is not a mere description. It aims
to provide answers to a question, and the researcher needs to
formulate a research question that requires answering.
For example, public debt is a broad research problem, from
which several different research questions are possible, such as:
How public debt accumulated in the country?
How external debt affects economic growth?
How is internal debt contributing to external debt?
How budget deficit and current account deficit are contributing
to public debt?
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11. Research Objectives
The research objectives of the study provide an
idea about the intended achievement of the study.
The research objectives of a study must be clearly
stated. It should be closely related to the research
question(s).
The objectives should meet the purpose of the
study.
The researcher needs to state the general and
specific objectives that will be covered in the study.
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12. Examples of Research Questions &
Research Objectives
Research Questions
1. What is the impact of financial sector reforms on economic
growth in Pakistan?
2. What is the impact of financial sector reforms on economic
development in Pakistan?
Research Objectives
To perform an in-depth analysis of the financial sector reforms,
which have been undertaken in Pakistan.
To develop the analytical framework for linking the financial
sector and the real sector of the economy.
To evaluate the impact of the financial sector on economic
growth and development of Pakistan.
To provide concrete recommendations for economic growth and
development through financial sector reforms.
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13. Research Hypothesis
A hypothesis is an educated guess or prediction of the
relationship between two or more variables. Theory can
help the researcher to build the hypothesis.
There are several points that we should keep in mind while
formulating the hypothesis.
There should be no ambiguity in the stated hypothesis.
The stated hypothesis should not be too long.
The hypothesis should be specific, which should test only
one issue.
The hypothesis should be easy to understand and test.
The constructed hypothesis should be closely related to the
study under consideration.
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14. Examples of Research Hypothesis
H1: There is a significant effect of FDI on economic
growth.
H1: Real interest rate has a significant relationship with
NPLs.
H1: The inflation rate has a significant relationship with
unemployment.
H1: Financial development has a significant effect on
domestic savings.
H1: External debt has a significant negative effect on
economic growth.
H1: Human capital has a significant positive effect on
economic growth.
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15. Methodology
The methodology section is crucial because it tells the
research evaluation committee on how the proposed
research work is planned to tackle the proposed research
problem.
In methodology or research design first, we discuss the
theoretical or conceptual framework. The theoretical
framework explains the theory on which the study is based.
A theory is a systematic explanation of some phenomena,
which identifies the core variables or elements needed to
explain this relationship. Theory sometimes also suggests
the nature of the relationship among different variables.
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16. Conceptual framework
Conceptual framework provides a frame of
reference to the phenomenon of interest.
It shows the interrelation of the dependent and
independent variables diagrammatically.
The purpose of the conceptual framework is to
enable the readers to see the proposed
relationships between the variables.
The conceptual framework is more abstract than
theory.
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17. Tentative Table of Content of Thesis/Dissertation
The researcher should be clear about the structure
of the thesis/dissertation. In this section,the
researcher describes:
Total number of chapters to be included in
thesis/dissertation;
The order of the chapters and brief contents, and;
The proposed title of each chapter/section.
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18. Contents of Research Project Proposal
Cover
Title of Study
Summary/Abstract
Introduction
Objectives of the Study
Significance of the Study
Methodology
Expected Outcome of Research
Expected Work-Plan/Chart of Activities
Requirements of Human Resources
Requirements of Financial Resources/Proposed budget
References
Curriculum Vitae
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19. Expected Work-plan/Chart of Activities
The work plan is a schedule or chart that
summarizes the different components of a
research project and describes how they are
implemented.
It states the duration of the project. Here the
researcher lists the various operational steps
needed to undertake and indicate against each the
duration by which the task will be completed.
By the use of a Gantt chart or work schedule, the
researcher explains the timeframe of the study and
its various stages.
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20. Gantt chart
A Gantt chart is a planning tool that depicts
diagrammatically the various tasks of the project that
will be completed during the allocated period of the
project.
Each task's length is shown by a bar that extends over
the time allocated for that task.
Thus, the chart of activities has the following features.
It states a period-wise plan for each activity.
Two activities can overlap in the same period.
Each activity is given a time duration that can be
justified.
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22. Requirements of Human Resources
The researcher needs to explain the proposed
personnel requirement and their academic
qualifications/experience with the field of
expertise.
This section should provide a brief introduction of
principal researcher/investigator and co-
researcher(s)/co-investigators.
The brief curriculum vitae (CV) of the research
team should be attached to the research project
proposal.
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23. Requirements of Financial Resources/
Proposed Budget
It is necessary to prepare a budget for the proposed research
project. Broadly, the budget includes all projected financial
requirement for:
personnel (salaries wages, fringe benefits);
equipment, materials, and supplies;
data collection and data processing cost;
printing and publication, and;
travel allowance and daily allowance.
Utilizes charges (phone, internet, etc.)
Other expenditures
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24. References
At the end of the research proposal document, the full
references of cited studies are presented.
It should be noted that a good reference list increases
the credibility of the proposal. For references:
Follow proper referencing/bibliographic style.
Properly check the author's name, year of publication,
the title of study, and publication source.
Alphabetical order of authors' names should be
followed in the listing.
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25. Revision and Proofreading
As in any other piece of academic writing, it is essential to
edit, redraft, and finally proofread the research proposal
before it is submitted to the evaluation committee.
The researcher may ask senior fellows for review and
feedback. The research supervisor may also give final
feedback before it is submitted to the evaluation
committee.
A poorly written research proposal is likely to be rejected in
the initial review process, whereas a well-articulated,
reader-friendly proposal reflects the ability of the
researcher to carry out the research in a professional
manner, thus increases the chances of approval.
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26. Research Activity
Select an area of research that is of interest to you.
Find and read relevant research materials.
Write the research proposal and submit it to the
instructor/supervisor.
Make a presentation of your research proposal in
the class.
Get feedback on your research proposal from the
instructor/supervisor and other senior students.
Submit the final draft of the research proposal to
the instructor/supervisor.
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