This proposal outlines the key components and guidelines for writing an effective research proposal. It discusses including: an introduction that establishes the problem, significance and purpose; a literature review to define concepts and gaps; hypotheses or research questions linked to a theoretical framework; methodology detailing design, sample, data collection and analysis; and consideration of resources and ethics. The proposal emphasizes developing ideas logically, following guidelines, and avoiding common criticisms like an unfocused or unoriginal project. The goal is to communicate a well-planned, significant study that generates support and demonstrates the researcher's qualifications.

1. Writing a research proposal
a well-written proposal
•Communicates a significant well-planned project
•Demonstrates Qualifications of the researcher
• Generates support for the project

2. A quality proposal involves
• Developing ideas logically
• Ideas must be built upon each other
• Guidelines should be followed explicitly
• Detailed enough to inform readers; and
• Concise enough to be interesting and easily reviewed
• Well typed on quality papers

3. Avoid negative feedback
Work on your proposal to avoid giving the opportunity to say
• Not an original idea
• Rationale is weak
• Writing is vague
• Uncertain outcomes
• Problem is not important
• Proposal is unfocused
• Project is too large

4. Title / Cover page
• The Title
• Should be clear
• Should paint a quick picture of key idea
• The words should reflect the focus of the proposal
• Important words come first

5. Title
• Use only a single sentence
• If it is too long; try to remove some words
• A last resort: use a 2-part title separated by a colon
• Title A: The systematic Development of a Local Initiative to
Create a Learning Center for Community Education
• Title B: A Local Learning Center for Community Education

6. Introduction
statement of the problem
• Research topic and research problem
• Significance of the problem
• Rationale for investigating the problem
• Establish a framework
• Purpose
• Research questions / hypotheses

7. Identification of the problem
• Can be an issue in the literature or practice
• Present the problem within a context; that
• Shows that the research project will:
• Extend the work previously conducted
• Avoid the mistakes previously made; or
• Be unique; different perspective/approach

8. Problem identification
guidelines
• Avoid jargons; abbreviations; colloquial expressions;
redundant phrases
• That the reader can easily recognize it
• Answer the question “ why does this research need to be
conducted
• Failure to answer this question will result in ambiguous;
diffuse problem

9. Significance of the study
• How your research will refine, revise, extend existing
knowledge; think pragmatically
• Think about implications; Ask yourself the following questions:
• What will the results mean to practitioners / educators
• Will the results influence programs, methods, interventions
• What will be improved or changed
• Will results influence policy decisions
• How the results be implemented

10. Purpose
• Goals are statements of what you hope to accomplish; not
measurable
• Objectives are operational; till specific things to accomplish;
measurable
• Form the basis for the activities of your project
• Ensure a considerable overlap between the goals and
objectives
• Foreshadow hypotheses to be tested; questions to be raised

11. Purpose
guidelines
• Begin with “The purpose of this is
• Identify central concepts
• Identify the specific method of inquiry
• Identify unit of analysis

12. Research questions / Hypotheses
• Research question poses a relationship;
• A hypothesis represents a declarative statement of the
relationship
• Hypotheses must be grounded in the theoretical framework
• Hypothesis can be written in 4 kinds of statements
1. Literary null
2. Operational null
3. Literary alternative
4. Operational alternative

13. Hypothesis
• Questions / hypotheses are testable propositions deduced
from a theory
• Operational null is generally the preferred form of hypothesis-
writing
• The null hypothesis is used if the literature does not suggest a
hypothesized relationship
• Be prepared to interpret any possible outcomes
• Make a clear distinction between independent and dependent
variables
• Be consistent in your use of terms

14. Literature review
• Provides essential information that guide the study
• Includes relevant theoretical and empirical lit
• Defines study concepts; how they are inter-related
• Includes a summary of critique….empirical
• The recommendations from previous research
• Concludes with a summary; synthesis; gaps

15. Framework
• Provides the basis for generating and refining the research
problem
• Links the research problem to relevant theoretical knowledge
• Is used to develop research questions hypotheses

16. Sources of anxiety in Hospitalized Patients with Myocardial Infarction
• Prevalence rate of MI
• Survival rates; aggressive management improves survival
• Survivors experience anxiety (statistics)
• Effect of anxiety on patients health, healing, length of stay, nursing effort, costs
• Framework to link anxiety to the sources; with research-based evidence
• Rationale and Significance: there is a need to identify sources of anxiety;
• Identification of sources of anxiety assist nurses to develop interventions
• Purpose: to identify sources of anxiety
• Research question: what are the sources of anxiety

17. Methods
Design
• Select the appropriate design to answer research questions /
test hypotheses
• Describe strengths and weaknesses
• There should be a link between the design and purpose
• In the design section, indicate
a)the independent and dependent variables;
b)confounding variables you propose to control;
c)how to control them;
d)be aware of sources of error

18. Methods / population
• Study settings:
• Name of the agency;
• Structure of units where the study will be conducted;
• The setting should generate adequate size.
• Ethical consideration;
• Approval from a research & ethical committee
• Permission from the agency authority
• Rights of the subjects: potential benefits, potential risks;
anonymity; confidentiality
• Informed consent

19. Methods
Sample
• Exactly define the population; who will be included
• consider inclusion and exclusion criteria
• Sampling technique: consider representation; internal and
external validity
• Sample size; sample size calculation
• Describe the sample

20. Methods
Procedure / Data collection
• Procedure is the heart of the research proposal
• Activities should be written in much details
• Highlight what is new, unique, or innovative
• Outline general plan for collecting the data; interview,
observation, survey administration
• Provide a time schedule you expect to follow
• Outline the research protocol
• Consider internal validity

21. Methods
Procedure / Data collection
• For quazi-experimental and experimental studies describe
1. How the research situation be structured
2. Treatment to be implemented
3. How effect of treatment be measured
4. Variables to be controlled
5. Uncontrolled extraneous variables and their effect
6. Methods of assigning subjects to groups
7. Strength and weakness of the design
8. Who will administer the treatment
9. Who will measure the outcomes
10. How to prevent contamination

22. Instrumentation / measurement
• Provide brief description of the instrument
• Describe the scoring system of the instrument
• How to get the participants’ scores
• Describe validity & reliability
• Document previous studies that used the instrument
• If there is an intent to develop instrument; describe the process
• Include a copy of the instrument to be used
• Permission to use instrument must be obtained
• Ensure congruence between the instrument and conceptual
definition

23. Methods / statistical analysis
• Specify the procedures (statistical analysis) you will use to
answer the research questions
• Different questions may require different statistical tests
• Report both descriptive and inferential statistics
• Indicate the analytic tool; SPSS, SAS
• Provide rationale

24. Administrative issues
• Available resources
• Contributors
• Needed resources: personnel; equipment
• Budget: be realistic