1. WRITING A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
8 ELEMENTS OF
A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
AZMI ABDUL LATIFF
LECTURER
UMB 1042-TECHNICAL WRITING

2. 8 ELEMENTS OF
A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
 Background of the study
 Statement of the problem
 Objectives of the study
 Significance of the study
 Limitation of the study
 Definition of terms
 Methodology

3. 1. Background of the study
 Establish the area of research in which your
work belongs, and to provide a context for
the research problem.
 Provides information to the research topic.

4. 1. Background of the study
 In an introduction, the writer should
create:
i. reader interest in the topic,
ii. lay the broad foundation for the
problem that leads to the study.

5. 2. Statement of the problem
 When you start a research, you have a
question that you wish to seek answer
for.
 The question leads to a problem that
needs to be solved by the research.
 Begin the research with A
DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM or
THESIS STATEMENT

6. 3. Objectives
 States what your research hopes to
accomplish.

7. 4. Significance of the study
 Why your research is important and
what contributions will it give to the
field.
 State how your findings CAN MAKE THE
DIFFERENCE and WHY it is
IMPORTANT that the research be
carried out.

8. 5. Limitation of the study
 It is not possible to include ALL aspects
of a particular problem.
 STATE WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED!
 A too wide area of investigation is
impractical and will lead to problems.
 SPECIFY THE BOUNDARIES of your
research.

9. 6. Definition of terms
 Terms or concepts that you use should
be defined and explained unless they
are familiar or obvious.
 Refer to authoritative sources for
definitions.

10. 7. Literature review
 Shows that you are aware of the
literature study that is required in your
research area.
 Your review a substantial amount of
reading materials before writing your
proposal.
 Shows that you have the theoretical
knowledge in your chosen research
area

11. 7. Literature review
 By reviewing related literature at this
stage, it will make you:
i. aware of other similar work which
has been done.
ii. expose methodologies that have
been adopted and which you may use
or adapt.
iii. provide sources of information that
you do not have yet.

12. 7. Literature review
 By reviewing related literature at this
stage, it will inform you:
iv. if a chosen area has already
been researched extensively.
v. approaches that you do not know
of before

13. 8. Methodology
 Describe data that you will use in the
research, the methodology to be
adopted and justify your choice of
methodology
 Inform readers
a. kinds of data going to be collected
b. research procedure (interviews?
observations? questionnaires?)

14. 8. Methodology
 If outside organisations involved,
explain how you are going to get hold
of the data.
 Indicate why the methodology is used.
 If existing methodology is not to be
used, explain why you need to use an
adapted methodology.

15. THANK YOU