Definition, rationale and structure of research proposal in social science research

1. RESEARCH
PROPOSAL
-----------------
What, why, how,
when?
By
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan,
Department of Education,
Hazara University, Mansehra
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra

2. Research
Proposal
What? Why? How?
When
?
What?
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra

3. What is a research proposal?
• A research proposal is a concise blueprint of
a proposed research study.
• It might also be defined as a plan of action
regarding the practical conduct of a study.
• The proposal generally has answers to the
‘what’, ‘why’, ‘how’ and ‘when’ of the
proposed research study.
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra

4. What?
• What is the research about?
• Introduction and background (What is known
before?)
• Research objectives (What the current study aims to
explore?)
• Research questions/hypotheses
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra

5. Why?
• Why is this study being conducted?
• Rationale
• Significance
• Knowledge gap?
• Possible contribution to the particular field of
scholarship/knowledge
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra

6. How?
• How is the research going to be conducted?
• Research Design (Justification/feasibility)
• Sample/sources of information/data
• Data collection/Analysis processes
• Validity/Reliability issues
• Ethical considerations
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra

7. When?
• Time line
• Data collection
• Data analysis
• Report writing
• Revisions/Refining
• Submission
Dr. Muhammad Ilyas Khan, Hazara University Mansehra