This document provides an overview of research methods and the research proposal process. It discusses key components of a research proposal including selecting a topic, developing research questions and objectives, reviewing relevant literature, and describing the proposed methodology. The methodology section should address the research design, population, sampling technique, data collection instruments, and data analysis plan. Developing a strong proposal is important to obtain approval for the study and guide the research process.

1. INTRODUCTION TO RESEARCH
METHODS
By
ONDABU IBRAHIM TIRIMBA
MKU HARGEISA CAMPUS

2. Research Topic Selection
Research Topic Selection
Source of Research Topics
Characteristics of good research topic
• Access to data
• Achievable in available time
• Student capabilities & interest
• Financial support
• Value & scope of research

3. SOURCES FOR RESEARCH TOPICS
Part time students may derive their research
topics from existing work experience or
consulting work or
 From articles in professional and academic
journals or
 From unsupported assertions from the media,
authorities, established researchers etc. or
 Comments by experts, authorities or managers
about lack of research in particular areas or
 Suggestions by previous research for further
studies in the area.

4. WHAT IS A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
A proposal is:
 A work plan
 A prospectus
 An outline of activities
 A statement of intent
 A draft
 A proposal is a road map showing clearly:
 The location from which a journey begins
 The destination to be reached
 The method of getting there.

5. WHAT IS A PROPOSAL cont.
 A research proposal must also:
 Tell us what, why, how, where and to whom
the research will be done (the proponents).
 Show the benefits of doing the research.

6. WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF A RESEARCH
PROPOSAL?
 To present a management or policy question to be
researched and relate its importance.
 (Problem statement, research question & importance).
 To discuss the research efforts of others who have worked on
related management questions.
 (Literature review).
 To suggest the data necessary for solving the management
question and how the data will be gathered, treated &
interpreted.
 (Research design).

7. COMPONENTS OF A RESEARCH PROPOSAL
A research proposal consist of three major chapters:
 Chapter 1: Introduction
 Chapter 2: Literature review
 Chapter 3: Methodology
Other sections include;
1. the abstract or the executive summary,
2. the references or bibliography,
3. implementation schedule (time plan),
4. implementation budget and
5. the appendices.

8. SPONSOR/SUPERVISOR RELATED
PERSPECTIVES
The proposal allows the sponsor/supervisor
to:
 Asses the researcher’s purpose, clarity of
design, extent of relevant material.
 Compare research project results with the
proposal.
 Discuss with researcher until research
question is understood & agreed upon

9. Proposal development process
Idea
development
Researcher provides
management question and
research question
Researcher elaborates
research questions into
investigative questions
Researcher
explores
alternative
approaches
Researcher
refines res.
question
Supervisor and researcher discuss the
proposal, clarify and redefine the problem
and objectives of the research proposal
Researcher
prepares the
proposal
Supervisor
peruse
through
the
proposal
Supervisor
approves
the
proposal
Proposal
submitte
d

10. RESEARCH PROJECT QUALITY REQUIREMENTS
Expected to produce quality projects that:
 Make contribution to the knowledge in the
discipline.
 Address current practitioner problems of
interest.
 Demonstrate a mastery of a specialization area
within a degree program.
 Reflect the integration of practice and
scholarship.
 Are of publishable quality

11. THE RESEARCH SPONSOR
All research has a sponsor in one form or
another:
 In a corporate setting, management sponsors
research
 In an academic environment, the student is
responsible to the class instructor

12. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF THE PROPOSAL TO
A RESEARCHER?
 Allows the researcher to plan and review the
project’s steps
 Serves as a guide throughout the investigation
 Forces time and budget estimates

13. EVALUATING THE RESEARCH PROPOSAL
 Proposal must be neatly written in
appropriate writing style
 Major topics should be easily found and
logically organized
 Proposal must meet specific guidelines set by
the sponsor
 Technical writing style must be clearly
understood and explained

14. start

15. STRUCTURE OF THE PROPOSAL
• Key parts of a proposal
 Frontal page matters
 Chapter 1 - Introduction
 Chapter 2 - literature review
 Chapter 3 - materials and methods
 Work plan
 Budget estimates
 Reference
 Appendix

16. PRELIMINARY LITERATURE REVIEW
Based on at least three key factors:
 Disciplinary background work done for graduate
study.
 Professional background work done for
employment or business.
 Process for research of topic.
o Previous class papers or projects.
o During this course.
o After this course.

17. FRONT MATTERS SEQUENCE
 Research Project Title (i but not paginated)
 Student’s Declaration (paginated as ii)
 Dedication (Optional and paginated as iii)
 Acknowledgement (paginated as iv)
 Table of content (paginated as v)
 Abbreviations and Acronyms (paginated as
vi)
 List of Tables (if more than 4 tables used in text
and paginated as vii)
 List of Figures (if more than 4 figures used in

18. THE ABSTRACT/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY (for a
proposal)
Purpose of the study and Research
Questions/Objectives
A justification of the study
A summary of the Research methodology
 Research Design
 Population
 Sampling design
• Sampling frame, technique, Sample size
 Proposed Data collection Methodology
 Proposed Data Analysis Techniques

19. THE ABSTRACT/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
(for a project or thesis)
 The abstract is similar to an executive summary.
Purpose of the abstract is to provide:
 Purpose of study (problem) & research questions or
specific objectives.
 Research methodology
 Major findings and conclusions
 Major recommendation or suggestions for
improvement.
To be approx. 300 - 400 words.
Typically completed after five chapters/sections have
been written but presented after “front matter
material” (it follows the order; front matter > abstract
> body of text).

20. THE ABSTRACT/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY cont.
 It provides the reader with essentials of a proposal without
having to read details
 It should therefore include a brief statement of the
following items:
1. Management problems or question.
2. Research questions or objectives.
3. Significance of the study.
4. Methodology (about half a page)
5. Results/findings
6. Conclusions
7. Recommendations

21. CHAPTER ONE
(sample 1)
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the problem
1.2 Statement of the Problem
1.3 Purpose of the study
1.4 Research Questions
1.5 Importance of the study
1.6 Scope of the study
1.7 Definition of Terms
1.8 Chapter summary

22. CHAPTER ONE
(sample 2)
1.0 INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the problem
1.2 Introduction of the topic
1.3 Purpose of the study
1.4 Importance of the study
1.5 Any other important matters
1.6 Chapter summary

23. 1. BACKGROUND OF THE PROBLEM
3 - 4 pages
Researcher defines the context of study by
brief discussion of 3 key things:
 Key theoretical approaches & findings
reported from previous studies
 Trends related to problem, unresolved issues,
and social concerns.
 Authoritative source & citations.

24. 2. THE PROBLEM STATEMENT
 It should:
 Capture the reader’s attention by providing the
problem, its background, its consequences, and
resulting question.
 Include any restrictions or areas not to be covered
plus references.
 It is a clear & precise statement of gap(s) from
previous research studies.
 It should describe the need for the research project
in terms of knowledge gap to be filled.
 Must be supported by authoritative sources and
citations.

25. 2. THE PROBLEM STATEMENT cont.
 Problem statement should not:
 Be too broadly defined not to be adequately covered in
study
 Use idioms, clichés, acronyms, etc.
 It must clearly distinguish the primary problem from
related problems.

26. 3. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY
(general objectives)
Addresses major research objective
Should emphasize practical outcome or
products of study.
Example:
 “The purpose of this study was to determine
(measure, examine, evaluate) the factors that
influence entrepreneurial behavior in family
business”.
 One sentence (and not more than three)

27. 4. RESEARCH QUESTION or OBJECTIVE
(completeness)
The research question/objective must provide
a complete picture of the research being
proposed.
 In descriptive studies, objectives can be stated
as research questions.,
 In casual studies, objectives can be stated as
hypothesis.

28. RESEARCH QUESTION/OBJECTIVE
(sequence)
 the research question/must flow naturally
from problem statement by:
 Giving specific, concrete, and achievable
goals.
 Either listing questions/objectives in:
 Order of importance, or
 general terms first and then moving to specifics
(i.e., research question followed by investigative
question).

29. 4. RESEARCH QUESTION/OBJECTIVE
(consistency)
 The research question/objective is the basis
for judging the consistency of the remainder
of the proposal & ultimately, the final report.
 You must verify for consistency that the research
question/objective is included (followed
throughout) in:
The research design
The literature review
The data analysis
The results sections

30. 5. IMPORTANCE/ BENEFITS OF STUDY
 Describe explicit benefits of the study.
 Cover all relevant stakeholders (theory, applied,&
policy).
 If difficult to write, then problem is not
adequately clarified.
 Requires understanding of the problem by:
 Showing the importance and implication of study
to problem (the can & can’t do).
 Convincing that the plan will meet the demands of
the research.

31. 6. RESEARCH DESIGN (SCOPE OF STUDY)
 Describes the focus of the study to enable a
reader to make generalizations of findings
 Includes types of research (research design).
 Should address limitations of research.
 Geographical coverage.
 Population or subjects.
 Time period involved (e.g., last decade)
Note : Limitations should not be in terms of
researcher’s time or financial constraints.

32. 7. DEFINITION OF TERMS
 Define:
 Unusual terminologies
 Unusual concepts
 Not about acronyms
 Definitions to be based on:
 Authoritative or established source or references.

33. 8. CHAPTER SUMMARY
 Provides a synopsis of major contents of
chapter including:
 The purpose.
 Importance/ justification.
 Scope
 A brief description of remaining chapters.

34. CHAPTER TWO
(sample 1)
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Sub-heading – Research Question/Objective 1
2.2.1 Sub Title 1
2.2.2 Sub Title 2
2.3 Sub-heading – Research Question/Objective 2
2.3.1 Sub Title 1
2.3.2 Sub Title 2
2.4 Subheading – Research Question/Objective 3
2.4.1 Sub Title 1
2.4.2 Sub Title 2

35. CHAPTER TWO
(sample 2)
2.0 LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Introduction
2.2 Sub-heading – Previous research under topic
2.2.1 Sub Title 1
2.2.2 Sub Title 2
2.3 Sub-heading – Missing gap & its relevant
2.4 Sub-heading – Significant of the missing gap
2.5 Justification for doing research
2.6 Hypothesis – Null and alternative
2.7 Objectives
2.7.1 Main objective
2.7.2 Specific objectives

36. CHAPTER THREE
 3.0 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3.1 Introduction
3.2 Research design
3.3 Population and sampling Design
3.3.1 Population
3.3.2 Sampling Design
3.3.2.1 Sampling Frame
3.3.2.2 Sampling Technique
3.3.2.3 Sample Size
3.4 Data Collection methods
3.5 Research procedures
3.6 Data Analysis methods
3.7 Chapter Summary

37. 1. RESEARCH DESIGN
 What is the adopted design
 Define the design
 Why is it most appropriate? Can you justify it
as the best for your study?
 What technique under the design are you
going to use? Is it a case study? a survey? An
experiment? Etc.
 What are your variables? Independent
Variable? Dependant variable?

38. 1. RESEARCH DESIGN cont.
• RD Constitute a blueprint for the collection,
measurement and analysis of data.
• It aids the Scientist in the collection of limited
resources by posing questions such as:
 what type of research study or combination of types?
 Whether to use low or highly structured methods of data collection
 Whether to use low or highly structure research situation
 Whether to use small or large samples
 Whether to be quantitative (open-ended questionnaire for a big population, which is
expensive and very objective) or qualitative (use of unstructured questionnaires for
smaller pop., cheap and very subjective)

39. 1. RESEARCH DESIGN cont.
• Types of research designs available:
 Report
 Explanatory (non-conclusive)
 Descriptive (conclusive) – Intend to describe answers to
questions observed on when, who, what, where and sometimes how –
problem is clearly defined
 Exploratory (non-conclusive) – no clear idea of a
problem, it generates all possible reasons for a problem – unaware of problem
 Predictive

40. 2. THE POPULATION
 What is your population – description
 How big is the population?
 What are the characteristics of the
population?
 Give a table showing the population
description
 Table 3.1: Target Population

41. 3. SAMPLING FRAME
 The list of sampling units from which the
sample will be drawn. Also called working
population
 Define what a sampling frame is
 Name the sampling frame (list) and indicate
the source of the list
 If a short list you can attach at the Appendix

42. 4. SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
 Identify the most appropriate
 Define the sampling technique
 Describe the technique
 Justify the choice of that technique

43. 5. SAMPLE SIZE
 Based on the identified chosen technique,
what shall be the sample size?
 Need to justify the choice
 Show it’s the best
 Justify your choice
 Provide a Table showing distribution of the
sample.
 Table 3.2: Sample Size

44. 6. DATA COLLECTION
 Types of data
 Primary or secondary or both
 Avoid the common trend of copy and paste from
other projects
 Data collection tool(s) adopted
 Types of questions adopted – open, closed, likert
scales
 Justify choice of tool
 Discuss the structure of tool

45. 7. RESEARCH PROCEDURES
 Discuss pre-test
 With whom, how many respondents
 Justify the need for a pre-test
 What next after pre-test
 Final Tool administration
 Technique/method of administration
 Any research assistants – their training
 Supervision of field work
 Ensuring a high response rate

46. 8. DATA ANALYSIS
 Data preparation
 Techniques in analysis
 Descriptive analysis or inferential or both
 Justify the technique
 Specifics of the techniques e.g. descriptive –
measures of central tendency
 Data presentation
 Table and Figures
 Tools for analysis

47. DATA COLLECTION INSTRUMENTS
 Typical Examples
 Questionnaires
 Interview Guides
 Observation Guides
 Checklist
 Structure
 Section 1: Demographic Data
 Section 2:Research Question/Objective 1
 Section 3:Research Question/Objective 2
 Section 4:Research Question/objective 3

48. OTHERS
 Timetable
 Budget

49. APPENDIX
• Attach any relevant support documents in this
section including:
Maps
Communication letters
Figures or charts
Title deeds etc.

50. REFERENCES
 Use APA Style:
The American Psychological Association (APA) publication style is
recommended as a standard format for writing scholarly papers.
It uses the author-date method of citation i.e the surname of the
author and the year of publication are inserted in the text at the
appropriate point.
Documentation in Text – Citation of an author’s work in text is used
to document work, briefly identify the sources for readers, and to
enable the readers to locate the source of information in
alphabetical reference list at the end of the paper. The sources of
reference chosen should be relevant and current.

51. REFERENCES cont.
• Work by a single author – APA style uses the author-date method of
citation; that is the surname of the author and the year of publication
are inserted in the text at the appropriate point e.g.
- Human resources management can be defined as the management of
activities undertaken to attract, develop, motivate and maintain a
high performing workforce within the organization (Harvey, 2001) or
- Kamau (1998) compared ……….. or
- In a recent study, Henry (2010) described the……
• Work by a two authors - In cases of publications with two authors,
always cite both names every time the reference occurred in the
text. e.g John and Otieno (1997) defined….
• Work by more than two authors - When work has more than two
authors, cite the surname of the first author followed by “et al” and
the year of publication. e.g Bellow et al., (2011) found that……….. Or
result obtained by Kanyara et al., (2003) showed that ………..or ………
(Kanyara et al., 2003).

52. REFERENCES cont.
• Corporate authors – The name of corporate authors are usually spelled out each
time they appear in the text citation or abbreviated thereafter.
• e.g ….[National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), 2011], or [Kenya Commercial
Bank, (KCB), 2008], subsequent appearance, use (NIMH, 2000); KCB (1999)
• Reference List
- Reference cited in the text – It must appear in the reference list, conversely, each
entry in the reference list must be cited in the text. The author must make certain
that each source referenced appears in both places and that the citation and
references list entry are identical. Failure to do so can result in an expensive
change after the research project report has been bound.
- Reference List Format and order – The reference list format should provide the
author’s last name and initials, the year of publication, the title, the city, and
publisher in the sequence for a text book. For a Journal article; the author’s last
name and initials, the year of publication, the title of article, the Journal name,
Volume No., the first and last page No.

53. End
• Questions
• Next Class
• Assignments
• AOB
Prof. Joseph M. Keriko
Principal, JKUAT - Nairobi Campus
Professor of Organic Chemistry and
EIA/EA Leader Expert
P.O. Box 39125 – 00623 Nairobi
Tel. 0722-915026
Email: kerikojm@yahoo.co.uk