This document outlines guidelines for writing research proposals for higher degree programs, emphasizing the importance of relevance, methodology, and literature review. It details the necessary components of a proposal, including objectives, research context, and estimated costs, while suggesting a typical length between 1,500 to 2,000 words. The proposal should also encompass a clear work schedule and a bibliography of relevant and recent literature.

1. Research Proposal Writing
References:
Guideline to Writing Research Proposal for Higher Degree Programmes, IPS, UM
http://www.tadafinallyfinished.com/thesis-proposal.html
http://www.ldeo.columbia.edu/~martins/sen_res/how_to_thesis_proposal.html
http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/onlib/thesis.html
http://www.polisci.berkeley.edu/ugrad/Guidelines%20for%20writing%20a%20thesis%20proposal.doc

2. The main purposes of your proposal
• Relevance and value of proposed research  in
the context of current academic thinking
• Why the intended research is important and justify
the effort of doing the research

4. • Field of Research
IPS Format for Research Proposal
• Field of Research
• Topic of Research Proposal
• Background or a brief literature review on the research topic
• Objective of Study
Explain the objective(s) that influence the research
• Methodology of study
Methodology of study
Explain the methods used in study such as library research,
Iab work, field work, historical documentary, interview,
survey, evaluation and analysis, etc.
• Work schedule
• Equipment required (where applicable)
Pl i d t il th ti t d t ( h li bl )
• Please give details on the estimated costs (where applicable)
• Brief bibliography
The research proposal should contain between
1,500 - 2,000 words or about four (4) pages

5. M t h l b t 4 d 15
Most research proposals are between 4 and 15
pages, but some institutions or departments specify
word limits. It is rarely possible to write a
comprehensive proposal in fewer than 1500 words
comprehensive proposal in fewer than 1500 words
So IPS format requires a very
brief proposal

6. Routine Information
This can be a full cover page or a quarter page header
- Name
- Address, telephone and email details
Degree for which you are a candidate
- Degree for which you are a candidate
- Supervisor's and co-supervisor's names
- Thesis proposal title
- Date
Date

7. Literature Review
• Place your proposed topic clearly in its relevant research context
through a critical analysis of selected research reports
• The main substance of the proposal
• Precise overview of current state of research immediately
• Precise overview of current state of research immediately
connected to your project
• Describe studies / theories that support and oppose your approach
Describe studies / theories that support and oppose your approach
to the problem
• Include alternative methodological approaches that have been
g pp
used by others who studied your problem
• Should demonstrate your awareness of significant similar or
relevant research

8. Objectives
• A concise and clear outline of what you intend to find out
in your project and what objectives you want to achieve
• Research questions / hypothesis / research goal

9. Methodology
V i t t t f h tli h ld i
• Very important part of research outline  should receive a
lot of attention
• Gives detailed information  how you intend to answer your
• Gives detailed information  how you intend to answer your
research questions
• Explains the methods, such as:
Explains the methods, such as:
- library research
- laboratory work
- field work
field work
- historical documentary
- interview
- survey
y
- evaluation and analysis, etc.

10. Work Schedule
• Information about your estimated time table  Gantt
Chart
• Sequence of research phases and time for each
phase
• At this stage  time is only estimated  make clear
that you have an idea about the time span that will
be needed for each step
p

11. Example of a Gantt Chart

12. • Field of Research
• Topic of Research Proposal
• Background or a brief literature review on the research topic
• Background or a brief literature review on the research topic
• Objective of Study
Explain the objective(s) that influence the research
• Methodology of study
Explain the methods used in study such as library research,
Iab work, field work, historical documentary, interview,
l ti d l i t
survey, evaluation and analysis, etc.
• Work schedule
• Equipment required (where applicable)
q p q ( pp )
• Please give details on the estimated costs (where applicable)
• Brief bibliography

13. Brief Bibliography
g p y
• Those academic works which you have mentioned in
research outline
• At least some of them should be recent publications
 indicating you are aware of current status in your
research area
• Use journal papers (not just books and conference
)
papers)
• Style