This document provides guidance on writing a research proposal. It defines a research proposal as a written document specifying what an investigator proposes to study before a project commences. The purpose is to convince a funding agency that the problem is significant, the approach is novel, and the investigator is qualified. Key parts of a proposal include an introduction, background, problem statement, theoretical framework, hypotheses, scope, limitations, and definition of terms. Variables, significance, and references are also discussed. The overall goal is to provide learners with the ability to define, describe, and complete guidelines for writing a successful research proposal.

1. Ms. Chanda Jabeen
Lecturer
RN, RM, BSN
M.Phil. Epidemiology & Public Health
PhD (Scholar) Epidemiology & Public Health
UNIT-IX: WRITING
RESEARCH PROPOSAL

2. OBJECTIVE
At the completion of this unit learners will be able
to
 Define research proposal.
 Describe purposes of writing research proposal.
 Follow and complete the provided guidelines for
writing research proposal.

3. What is a research proposal
 A research proposal is a written document
specifying what the investigator proposes to
study and is written before the project has
commenced.
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4. Purpose of a Research Proposal
 Research proposal is intended to convince
others that you have a worthwhile research
project and that you have the competence and
the work-plan to complete it.
 The purpose of a proposal is to sell your idea to
the funding agency. This means that the
investigator must convince the funding agency
that:
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5. Purpose of a Research Proposal
 The problem is significant and worthy of study.
 The technical approach is novel and likely to
yield results.
 The investigator and his/her research team
is/are the right group of individuals to carry
out and accomplish the work described in the
research proposal.
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6. Parts of Proposal
 Introduction
 Background of the
Study
 Statement of the
Problem
 Theoretical
Framework
 Conceptual
Framework
 Assumptions and
Hypothesis
 Scope and
Delimitations of the
Study
 Limitations of the
Study
 Definition of Terms

7. Introduction
 Discusses four (4) relevant ideas:
 TOPIC or subject matter: define and elaborate
using methods of paragraph development like
classification and giving examples
 IMPORTANCE of the Topic: cite the role that the
topic plays in your life and the benefits you
derive from it.
 REASONS for Choosing the topic: emphasized
what motivated you to choose the topic.
 PURPOSE of the Study: discusses the objective
of the study.

9. Background of The Study
 consists of statements on what led the
investigator to launch the study.
 may have been generated by some
empirical observations, the need to
explore the problem and some other
relevant conditions.
 describe as clearly as possible the
problem intended to be addressed and
refer to the relevant literature in the field.

10. Background of the Study
 it is an overview of factors which have
led to the problem, comprise the
problem and historical significance
relative to the problem.

12. Statement of the Problem
 There should be a general statement of
the whole problem followed by the
specific questions or sub problems into
which the general problem is broken up.

15. Theoretical Framework
 This is the foundation of the research
study. These are highly related theories
and principles that were established and
proven by authorities
 refers to the set of interrelated construct,
definitions, and prepositions that
presents a systematic view of
phenomena

16. Theoretical Framework
 an organized body that explains what
has been done and what has been said
on the topic or problem being
investigated.

17. What must be obtained from a
theory?
 The name/s of author/s of the theory
must be taken including the place and
the time / year when he or she
postulated such a principle or
generalization.
 the part or parts of the theory that are
relevant to your study
 synthesis by relating to your findings

20. Conceptual Framework
 a tentative explanation or theoretical
explanation of the phenomenon or
problem and serves as the basis for the
formulation research hypotheses.
 consists of the investigator’s own
position on a problem after his exposure
to various theories that have bearing on
the problem

21. Conceptual Framework
 The conceptual framework becomes the
central theme, the focus, the main thrust
of the study. It serves as a guide in
conducting investigation.
 Paradigm. A paradigm is a
diagrammatic representation of a
conceptual framework. It depicts in a
more vivid way what the conceptual
framework wants to convey.

22. Conceptual Framework:
Paradigm

23. Hypothesis
 Hypothesis is a tentative answer to a
research question, it can be derived
 from the observation before the research is
conducted. This is called inductive
hypothesis.
 from the theory. This is called deductive
hypothesis.

25. Kinds of Hypothesis
 Research hypothesis is usually
developed from experience, literature or
theory, or combination of these. This is
the expected relationship
between variables.
 Null hypothesis is the one that states
NO relationship between varibales. The
function is to let the research test the
hypothesis statistically.

26. Scope and Delimitations
 The scope and delimitations should
include the following:
 A brief statement of the general purpose of
the study.
 The subject matter and topics studied and
discussed.
 The locale of the study, where the data were
gathered or the entity to which the data
belong.

27. Scope and Delimitations
 The population or universe from which the
respondents were selected. This must be
large enough to make generalizations
significant.
 The period of the study. This is the time,
either months or years, during which the
data were gathered.

29. Limitations of the Study
 include the weaknesses of the study
beyond the control of the researcher.
 The weaknesses spring out of the
inaccuracies of the perceptions of the
respondents.

31. Variables
 is the operationalized way in which the
attribute is represented for further data
processing.
 Values of each variable statistically
"vary" (or are distributed) across the
variable's domain
 Basically, a variable is any factor that
can be controlled, changed, or
measured in an experiment.

32. Types of Variables
 The independent variable is the one
condition that you change in an
experiment.
 The dependent variable is the variable
that you measure or observe. It is the
factor that is dependent on the state of
the independent variable.

33. Types of Variables
 A controlled variable or constant
variable is a variable that does not
change during an experiment.
 Extraneous variables are "extra"
variables that may influence the
outcome of an experiment, but aren't
taken into account during measurement.

34. Significance of the Study
 The rationale, timeliness and/or
relevance of the study. The rationale,
timeliness and/or relevance of the study
to existing conditions must be explained
or discussed.
 Possible solutions to existing problems
or improvement to unsatisfactory
conditions.

35. Significance of the Study
 Who are to be benefited and how they
are going to be benefited. It must be
shown who are the individuals, groups,
or communities who may be placed in a
more advantageous position on account
of the study.
 Possible contribution to the fund of
knowledge.

37. Definition of Terms
 Only terms, words, or phrases which
have special or unique meanings in the
study are defined.
 Terms should be defined operationally,
that is how they are used in the study.
 The researcher may develop his own
definition from the characteristics of the
term defined.

38. Definition of Terms
 Definitions may be taken from
encyclopedias, books, magazines and
newspaper articles, dictionaries, and
other publications but the researcher
must acknowledge his sources.
 Definitions should abe brief, clear, and
unequivocal as possible.
 Acronyms should always be spelled out
fully

40. References
Kumar, R. (2016). Nursing Research and Statistics.
New Delhi: Jaypee Brothers
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2017). Nursing research:
Generating and Assessing Evidence for Nursing
Practice (10th ed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott.
Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2006). Essential of nursing
research: Methods, appraisal, & utilization.
(6thed.). Philadelphia: Lippincott.